It wasn’t April Fools’, but it was close enough to have some people on edge.
On March 31st, I made a call to the Kincardine region, looking to speak to defenceman Garrett McFadden of the Grey Bruce Highlanders Minor Bantam hockey team.
McFadden departs later this month on a unique hockey junket where a club representing Western Ontario will play games in the Czech Republic, in Italy and at Germany.
I understand from people that watch the Highlanders on a regular basis that McFadden is a very good player, so I was interested in him, and in the experience in front of him this month.
Except that when his father answered the phone, and told his son who was calling, the kid didn’t believe it.
He thought it was an April Fools joke.
Eventually, somewhat reluctantly, Garrett McFadden got on the line and gave me a terrific interview regarding the trip to Europe this month, plus his aspirations for hockey in the future.
He’s grounded enough to know there’s a lot of skating and work to be done if hockey is a path he will follow.
But he’s also young enough to hold a big dream and know the next immediate step required.
For example, when asked about what he’ll do for hockey once the European trip is completed, he says he’ll try out for the Highlanders Bantam program
From what I understand the only way he wouldn’t make it would be if was someone’s idea of an April Fools’ prank.
I’m Fred Wallace