The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
ItÕs any players dream to represent their country. And Michael Young and Cole Wilson, of the Bombers, are hoping to make it happen. The pair, after being nominated from the coaches in the SJHL, were selected to try out for Team Canada West. The teammates, who were competing against each other for a spot on the team, were accompanied by Bomber head coach and GM Mike Reagan, who in turn, ended up coaching one of the teams. The camp was held in Yorkton this past weekend with players from as far East as Thunder Bay, Ontario, those from Manitoba and Saskatchewan as well. Both Young and Wilson experienced this for the first time. ÒItÕs exciting,Ó says Wilson. ÒYou get the opportunity to try our for Team Canada West and there is nothing but good opportunity there.Ó Adding to that, Young says it was ÒReally amazing wearing the maple leaf jersey for practice and everything.Ó Though they play well together as Bombers, the boys were up against each other on different teams for the camp. ÒItÕs was a little different,Ó they agreed. Going to Yorkton was a great opportunity for the players. But the other part of it was seeing the other players. Ò(Just) being able to see the skill in the different provinces (was amazing),Ó says Young. And the differences from the SJHL to the rest of the leagues? ÒThey are all really fast players and a little smaller,Ó he says. But it was impossible to pick out a player from Saskatchewan versus one from Ontario when they were on the ice, as everyone was dressed in the same jerseys. The players find out next week if they have been chosen to represent the Western part of the country in junior hockey. ÒI have no idea,Ó says Wilson. ÒIt depends on what the coaches want this year. I did what I can do.Ó ÒI would love to make the team,Ó says Young. Going down for moral support, initially, for the players was coach Reagan. But as the coach from OCN had to drop out, Reagan was the next in line. ÒI was fortunate enough to be involved,Ó he says. ÒAnytime you get a chance to help with Team Canada in anyway, no matter what role or position, you take the opportunity.Ó Heading to Yorkton this past weekend, Reagan was going down to be with Young and Wilson. ÒI was taking them down regardless,Ó he says, ÒTo see how they did and be there for any advice I could give them.Ó But it was a different way of watching the games as Reagan was on the bench for Team Green, which housed Wilson, why Young dressed for Team Black. ÒIt was a great experience to be with players at that caliber,Ó says the coach. ÒAll of the players there have a bright future (in hockey) and this is an exciting time in their lives. ÒIÕm happy to be apart of it.Ó Going down, Reagan knew Wilson and Young were going to be separated by the Black and the Green. ÒIt was different to coach one team,Ó he says. ÒI was coaching Willy, but everytime I hoped Younger would make the right play. I just wanted it so bad for the two of them.Ó As the selection process is being narrowed down, Reagan says he feels confident the two will make the team. ÒI feel pretty confident that they both have a good shot,Ó he says. And though he had a hand in the discussion part, he doesnÕt know what will happen 100 per cent. Looking at the players, Reagan says both Young and Wilson havenÕt been on the ice as much this season, compared to this time last year. ÒYounger is a little banged up and Cole has not played a lot of hockey in the last month,Ó he says. ÒBut there are lots of other players in the same boat. ÒIf they were both 100 per cent, they would be a shoe in (for the team).Ó As the boys wait to find out their fate, Reagan says ÒWhatÕs done is done. ÒAll they can do is hope their efforts were good enough to get (them) a spot on the team.Ó
