Sports & Friends “WINNERS WIN!”
Written By Mark Payne
@hockeypayne
www.paynesplayers.ca
10/09/2024
It was a 3-year plan laid out by Mavericks Head Coach Trey Christensen, but the young upstart Mavericks had other ideas and surged through the season almost as if they had hit the fast forward button on the remote, or in todays standards the Play Station controller.
Usually, I recap the season on the fly but as a lacrosse rookie this season covering Alberta lacrosse it’s taken me a couple weeks to let it all sink in.
Next season the young Mavericks core will remain in tack which includes their starting goaltender, #1 Alex Swann.
When I struggle for words, I usually lean on a quote from a Coach, or in this case it was a player. It was 5th year forward and Cranbrook native #27 Wyatt Fancy who said it best when he was asked what he will miss most about playing Junior; “Sports & Friends”.
I couldn’t agree more. I’ve always loved sports, but it was great to make some new friends. I am already looking forward to next season and will miss some of our veterans who will look ahead to Senior Lacrosse no doubt.
A cross country trek that took the Junior B Tier 1 Alberta Champions East to compete on the National stage at the 2024 Founders Cup. Countless lessons learned and valuable big game experience for the core of the group. If traveling cross country seems glamorous then add the stench of lacrosse gear in the middle of August. On a personal note, it was a drive cross country that landed us in Mohawk College residence in Hamilton that I will never forget. Plenty of laughs and an incredible opportunity to see the country one kilometre at a time.
As I said to Mavericks President Brad Bouchard. “I will never complain about driving to Red Deer ever again.” On a serious note, at the age of 45 I learned so many valuable lessons from our coaching staff and management team that poured every ounce of effort into building this team for Innisfail. It was an absolute privilege to share the stories and ride along with a team now securely on the Central Alberta Lacrosse map. As we say in Mountain View County, “#MAVSROLL”.
See you next season friends!