Langford resident Cory Hatcher will soon be gearing up in Italy.
The Belmont grad was the only player from the Island selected to wear Team CanadaB次元官网网址檚 colours in Europe for the inline hockey World Championships. Starting June 9, national 18-under teams from around the globe will go head to head.
B次元官网网址淚t feels awesome. ItB次元官网网址檚 very cool to be representing not only my country, but the Island as well,B次元官网网址� Hatcher said.
ItB次元官网网址檒l be his first time playing for Canada in an age-group competition at this level and he admits the nervousness is starting to come. But he remains excited about the upcoming experience. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 definitely looking forward to the fast pace and intensity.B次元官网网址�
HeB次元官网网址檚 not taking this great opportunity lightly. Leading up to the takeoff for Italy, Hatcher is trying to hit the weights six times a week, run up Mt. Finlayson three times a week and is still able to squeeze in a couple nights a week of skating and shooting practice in the Eagle Ridge arena thanks to the support of Gerry St. Cyr, City Centre Park facility operator. B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 been my mentor for the last few weeks,B次元官网网址� Hatcher said.
St. Cyr is no stranger to the world of inline hockey, having played for and coached Team Canada. The senior menB次元官网网址檚 team won the IIHF Division 1 World Championship in 2008, under St. CyrB次元官网网址檚 lead as head coach. Now St. Cyr is trying to share some of that experience with Hatcher to help prepare him.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 different than what we play here,B次元官网网址� St. Cyr said. B次元官网网址淵ou canB次元官网网址檛 make mistakes over there like you can here.B次元官网网址�
While the game might be faster, he noted Hatcher has had a good year and is working hard.
B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 got a passion for it and he puts in a lot of time,B次元官网网址� St. Cyr said. B次元官网网址淲e wish him all the best. ItB次元官网网址檚 good to see good kids getting a shot.B次元官网网址�
A handful of weeks is all Hatcher has to prepare for the big event. Making Team Canada has been a whirlwind adventure. He was over in Vancouver a few weeks ago for a two-day B.C. selection camp that saw roughly 30 athletes scrimmage on the first day before running through drills and more scrimmaging on the second. B次元官网网址淚t was really fast, really high-paced,B次元官网网址� he noted.
The same coaches that ran the B.C. selections also ran similar camps across the country to select their team. That should be an advantage, Hatcher thought, as it is often different coaches that run different regional selections. B次元官网网址淭he same coaches saw everyone,B次元官网网址� he said. Once the final team was announced, Hatcher said, they B次元官网网址渉ad five days to find sponsors and four weeks later, weB次元官网网址檙e leaving.B次元官网网址�
HatcherB次元官网网址檚 parents will be joining him on the trip. B次元官网网址淭hey have a hard time saying no to Italy,B次元官网网址� he joked. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e leaving a few days early to explore.B次元官网网址�
As for his teammates, Hatcher said heB次元官网网址檚 played against a number of them before but only knows one personally. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 some really good players B次元官网网址� I expect us to go over there and do well.B次元官网网址� He added, B次元官网网址淚 know weB次元官网网址檝e done well in the past.B次元官网网址�
Hatcher doesnB次元官网网址檛 just have his sights set on doing well at the international tournament, although, he did admit a gold medal would look pretty nice on his resume. He hopes to use the championship as an opportunity B次元官网网址渢o prove I can play in the menB次元官网网址檚 league B次元官网网址� ThatB次元官网网址檚 my main goal.B次元官网网址�
ItB次元官网网址檚 an objective he wonB次元官网网址檛 be able to achieve without the help of the community, he said, adding that heB次元官网网址檚 been overwhelmed by the amount of support heB次元官网网址檚 received since making the team. Hatcher thanked such sponsors as City Centre Park, Maxxam Insurance Services Inc., Cutting Edge Lending, Benson Excavating Ltd. and a number of others for really coming through for him.
B次元官网网址淭hose four logos will be on my jersey in Italy.B次元官网网址� He said it will be like carrying a piece of his hometown with him.
Hatcher is still looking for sponsors, if youB次元官网网址檙e interested email him at coryhatcher66@hotmail.com.
katie@goldstreamgazette.com
