The Canadian Junior Hockey Team final cuts are today, but here in Owen Sound, the cut was yesterday, and the healing of the wounds continues today, and maybe for some time. We’ll see.
Three members of the Attack competed at the Selection Camp; defender Jesse Blacker, centre Joey Hishon & captain Garrett Wilson
Yesterday, all 3 were eliminated from the Selection process and returned to the city for the final two Attack games before Christmas.
There’s no doubt this is a disappointment.
And if you’re disappointed, multiply that emotion by a thousand times, maybe thousands and thousands of times, and you’ll have a gauge on how the 3 players feel.
In part, I almost bet they feel like they let people down.
That’s definitely not the case; certainly not here. I couldn’t be prouder of these guys for the way they have, and will always represent the city and the organization.
I see lengthy hockey futures, and the connection we’ll have with these three will be a solid as any.
Furthermore, I’ve seen it so many times where today’s National Junior hero and the National Junior cut take vastly different routes in hockey almost immediately thereafter.
In 1991 at Saskatoon, John Slaney was a national hero, scoring the winner as Canada beat the Soviets to clinch the title.
Meanwhile, Adam Foote, then of the Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds, watched at home after being cut from the squad.
Would Adam Foote trade his career for a moment of glory ?
Would John Slaney trade his greatest hockey moment for a career like Foote’s ?
Hard to say,
But cut or otherwise, there’s no diminished value that I can see regarding Jesse Blacker, Joey Hishon & Garrett Wilson of the Attack.
I’m Fred Wallace