Graduating players Travis Gano, Brad Hoult, Zack Pezderic and Micheal MacDonald were given rings for their years with the Icemen

Players honoured with their CJHL awards

Lawyer by day - architect by night

 

The Wetaskiwin Icemen have improved 49 points in the standings since Rick Gregory took over as head coach, and are one of the favourites to win the Capital Junior Hockey League championship this season

 

Friday, Feb. 10, 7:30 p.m. face-off vs. Strathcona at the Wetaskiwin Civic Centre

Final Wetaskiwin Icemen regular season game. Playoffs begin the following week

Festivities begin at app. 6:30 p.m. and include...

·         Live music from world-renowned Classical guitarist Main Mahd of Edmonton, who will entertain with his $10,000 guitar in the front lobby prior to the game, and during intermissions.

·         Live musical entertainment from Edmonton high school band DRT during warm-ups and during the intermissions. The band hits the stage at 7 p.m. DRT has produced one CD, and has performed at such events as the Heroes of Woodstock, the Beaumont Blues Fest, and the Rockin in the Valley Bike Show. The band plays original music and cover tunes.

·         The Icemen will operate a beer gardens in a sectioned-off portion of the arena during the game, and in the Drill Hall following the game. The Wetaskiwin Fire Department will host the beer gardens on behalf of the Icemen and provide security for the event.

·         Free hot dogs will be available prior to the game for Wetaskiwin, Millet and Hobbema minor hockey players wearing their team jerseys or team jackets.

·         Free pizza to fans after the game at the Post Game Party in the Drill Hall.

·         Full-colour team pictures, sponsored by ATB Financial, will be made available to minor hockey kids for a post-game autograph session with Icemen players in the Drill Hall.

·         A team-autographed 20^th Anniversary Icemen jersey, sponsored by Memory Lane Sports Marketing, and a Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Edmonton Oilers jersey, sponsored by Pawn-Derosa, will be raffled off.

·         A celebrity goalie race involving the four local levels of government. Representatives include the City of Wetaskiwin-Alderman Patricia MacQuarrie, County of Wetaskiwin-Councillor Terry Van De Kraats, Town of Millet-Mayor Rob Lorenson, and Samson Cree Nation-Councillor Kirk Buffalo, representing the Four Bands. These elected officials will don the pads and will race around the arena in full goalie equipment. Intermission entertainment will also include a minor hockey game.

·         The Icemen will honour their four graduating players prior to the game. Veterans Zack Pezderic, Travis Gano, Michael McDonald and Brad Hoult will be on the ice with their parents, with each player presenting their mother with a flower.

·         To entertain the young crowd, Wally the Watertower, and Sparky the Wetaskiwin Fire Department dog will be in attendance.

Icemen take three-of-four points from division leaders

Dale Cory, Wetaskiwin Icemen

It has been a long time.

The Icemen have played a lot of games since suffering a loss in regulation time.

In fact, one would have to go back more than two months to find the last time Wetaskiwin was beaten in the first 60 minutes of a game.

The date was Nov. 13.

On that Sunday afternoon, the Icemen dropped a 2-0 decision to the Sherwood Park Knights on home ice.

It was the last time a team didn’t need overtime, or a shootout, to defeat Wetaskiwin, by far the surprise team in the Capital Junior Hockey League during the 2011-12 season.

Wetaskiwin has played 16 games since that time, and has earned 28 of a possible 32 points.

The success on the ice has translated into a push for second place in the CJHL’s East Division, and a first round bye, something unheard of in Wetaskiwin prior to last season, when the team made the playoffs for the first time in six seasons.

Since that Nov. 13^th loss, Wetaskiwin has rattled off 12 wins and has been beaten four times in either overtime or a shootout.

The biggest of those dozen wins came last Friday, when the Icemen invaded Sherwood Park, and came up with a 6-3 victory over the Knights, the top team in the CJHL with 55 points (27-5-0-1) in 33 games.

Lucas Recknagle scored a pair of goals and Travis Gano had a goal and an assist. Ryley Bennefield, Kevin Liner and Dylan McKay also scored for the Icemen, who received stellar netminding from Garret Montour, who blanked the league’s top team once the game hit the halfway mark.

The Icemen followed up by earning a point in a 3-2 overtime loss in Morinville Sunday, allowing the team to pick up three-of-four points against the division leaders this past weekend. Wetaskiwin had trailed 2-0, but rallied to tie the game before the end of regulation to earn the single point.

Wetaskiwins successful weekend improved the team’s record to 22-7-0-4, good for 48 points. The Icemen sit two points back of second place Beaumont and seven points behind top-seeded Sherwood Park. The top two seeds receive a first round bye.

Wetaskiwin has also cushioned itself from the fourth place Edmonton Royals, who now trail the Icemen by four points.

The third-seeded team will play sixth place in a best of 3 first round series, while fourth and fifth-place teams will also hook up in the opening round.

The Icemen, who lead the league in both goals for, and goals against average, have a home-and-home series with Fort Saskatchewan this weekend, travelling to Fort Saskatchewan Friday, Jan. 27, and hosting the Hawks Sunday, Jan. 29 at 2 p.m. at the Wetaskiwin Civic Centre.

Wetaskiwins Travis Gano currently sits second in the league with 32 goals, just two behind Morinville’s Dalen Paul.

Gano is tied with Beaumonts Joel Tessier for fifth in the scoring race. Both players have 55 points.

Wetaskiwin drops second straight

Last-minute goal does in Icemen
 
Dale Cory, Wetaskiwin Icemen
 
Steven Minkler's goal with just 2:31 left in the third period proved to be the winner, leading the Knights past the Wetaskiwin Icemen 4-3 Friday in Sherwood Park.
The loss dropped the Icemen, who opened the Capital Junior Hockey League season with three-straight victories, a 3-2 record in the season.
The game went back and forth the entire 60 minutes.
On four occasions, the Knights took a one-goal lead.
Three times, the Icemen got the tying goal.
Minkler's tally proved one too many for the Icemen to overcome.
Kevin Liner's second goal of the season tied the game at one int he first period, Myles Ellert's first of the season tied the game at two in the second period, and Travis Gano's third of the season, a shorthanded effort with 6:40 to go in the third period, tied the game at three, setting the stage for Sherwood Park's eventual winner.
 
The Icemen, now 3-2, host the Edmonton Mustangs Sunday, Oct. 9 at 2 p.m. at the Wetaskiwin Civic Centre.

Wetaskiwin Icemen lose first of the season

Icemen beaten by Fort Saskatchewan Sunday on home ice

The shots stood at 12-3 in favour of the hometown Wetaskiwin Icemen late in the first period.

But it was the visiting Fort Saskatchewan Hawks who held a 1-0 lead.

That situation proved to be a solid indication of the way this Capital Junior Hockey League game would go.

Playing in front of home fans Sunday at the Wetaskiwin Civic Centre, the Icemen outplayed and outshot Fort Saskatchewan, but eventually lost the game 3-1.

For the Icemen, who opened the season with three-straight victories, it was a difficult loss to swallow.

The Hawks built up a 2-1 lead after two periods.

Wetaskiwin pulled to within a goal 63 seconds into the third period when Jordan Howe capitalized on a penalty shot opportunity.

Howe was hauled down on a breakaway, then deked the goalie to the glove side on the penalty shot to make it a 2-1 game.

However, a questionable interference call put Dallas Graham in the penalty box midway through the third, and Fort Saskatchewan took advantage, scoring a power play goal to go up by two.

The Hawks would hold the lead for good.

Wetaskiwin outshot Fort Saskatchewan 49-30.

The Icemen visit Sherwood Park Friday, Oct. 7, are back in action on home ice Sunday, Oct. 9 at 2 p.m. vs. the Edmonton Mustangs. 

Icemen ready to hit the ice in style

Wetaskiwin to debut third jerseys in CJHL home opener Sunday against Beaumont

Dale Cory

Indeed, the Capital Junior Hockey League schedule-makers certainly knew what they were doing when they planned out the 2011-12 season, which officially got underway this past Friday and continues until Feb. 12. The leagues 14 teams will play 266 games during that time, with each team playing a 38-game schedule.

The Icemen will open the season Friday in Leduc at 7:45 p.m. at the Leduc Recreation Centre, and will host their home opener at the Wetaskiwin Civic Centre Sunday at 6:45 p.m.

It will be a big night for the Icemen, who will unveil third jerseys to commemorate their 20^th season in the Capital Junior Hockey League.

Considering Wetaskiwin has developed a heated rivalry with the Schwab Riggers, and took the defending league champion Chiefs to overtime in a fifth and deciding game in last years quarterfinal playoff series, weekend games are sure to provide a great deal of entertainment for local hockey fans.

It was the first time in five years that the Icemen qualified for the playoffs. The 30-point improvement should have garnered head coach Rick Gregory the coach of the year honours.

That did not happen. However, considering last seasons success on the ice and at the gate, Gregory is more concerned with leading his team deeper into the playoffs, and challenging for a league championship, something the Icemen would not have thought possible a couple of seasons ago.

This year we have a nice mix of new and old. We have brought in several first year rookies, however, we have also brought in some valuable experience as well, including two players that have won junior B Western Canadian titles in the last two years, Corey Dupre in 2010 with the Tri-Town Thunder and Kevin Liner in 2011 with Blackfalds, said Gregory, who will also count on leadership from returning veterans. On the leadership side of things, we have several 21 year olds that will lead the way in that regard, such as Zack Pezderic, Michael MacDonald, Travis Gano and Mick Bronson. 

That said, I've noticed that all returning players have taken some ownership over certain aspects of the team and we're trying to create an environment where its leadership by committee. The core of our team is our crop of '92s and they will be relied upon to lead by example both on and off the ice as well.

Gregory had 24 players at camp Monday, including three goaltenders. Veteran Brandon Wark is injured and did not participate in the workout.

We have lost our two top scorers from last year in Ryley Bennefield, who is still with the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL, and Brian MacDonald, who is with NAIT of the ACAC. That said, incoming rookie Dylan Weaver coming to us from Midget AAA in Leduc should offer some help offensively as well as an incoming 20 year old, DJ Bennefield (Ryley's older brother). DJ scored eight goals in the three games last weekend and we're confident that trend will continue into the season. We also return our entire top line from last year with Gano, MacDonald and Michael Chorneyko, so we're hoping they'll continue where they left off, said Gregory, who does have some question marks heading into the season. Goaltending is a bit of wildcard right now. Losing Marcus Johnson means we have an open spot to fill and a big role at that. Quinton Bell is returning between the pipes and is presently battling it out with three other goalies to take the net. Ryan Fairgray, Michael Gudmandson and Garrett Montour are all in the running to snatch up one the goaltending positions.

While Gregory is blessed with 10 returning players, he also has a group of experienced veterans who have joined the Icemen from other teams, and also some young rookies who are expected to make an impact in the CJHL in their first season.

Incoming players that will make the most impact include Kevin Liner, who played parts of last season on the Olds Grizzlies. He should anchor our blueline along with another strong defenseman out of Slave Lake, Colter Tkach. Up front, Bennefield should add some serious scoring punch, and we're expecting big things from Dylan Weaver as well. Corey Dupre, another 20 year old import new to the team, will add speed, enthusiasm and some scoring as well, said Gregory. We also have several rookies that will try to find their way in their first year of junior hockey, such as local products Dallas Graham and Brett Halter.

The Icemen have a special event planned for Sunday with a promotion called Drive One 4UR Community. Brentridge Ford will have many vehicles available to test drive Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Wetaskiwin Civic Centre. Ford will donate $20 from every test drive to support junior B hockey in Wetaskiwin. People who sign up for a test drive will get a free hot dog and free ticket to Sundays home opener.

Icemen go unbeaten on southern road trip

While many CJHL teams opened the regular season this past weekend, the Icemen took part in a tournament in Medicine Hat. Wetaskiwin beat Cypress (Maple Creek, SK) 8-4, scored a 9-2 win over Medicine Hat, and settled for a 4-4 tie with Coaldale after leading that game 4-0.

Gregory liked what he saw from the team.

Over the three-game span, we showed a propensity to score goals both even strength and on special teams. In the 8-4 win over Cypress, we scored four shorthanded goals, and in the game versus Medicine Hat, we scored five power play goals, said Gregory. We are hoping that will be a sign of things to come on special teams.

Leduc drops opener

The Schwab Riggers opened the CJHL season this past Sunday with a 5-2 loss in Morinville.

Beaumont opens season with win

The Chiefs were victorious in their first game of the season. Beaumont, out to defend its league championship of a year ago, doubled up the Bruins 4-2 at Strathcona.

-30- 

Hockey season returns to Wetaskiwin

The Icemen are back on the ice in preparation for the upcoming Capital Junior Hockey League season, looking to improve on last years 30-point jump in the standings

The high-pitched squeal of a blowing whistle greets those who enter the front doors of the Wetaskiwin Civic Centre on this particular Tuesday evening in mid August.

A coach can clearly be heard yelling out instructions.

And there is that constant scraping sound as hockey blades push off against the ice surface.

Yes, it is officially hockey season in Central Alberta.

The Wetaskiwin Icemen were the first team in the Capital Junior Hockey League to take to the ice when players got into uniform for the first time Aug. 16.

Head coach Rick Gregory, who engineered a 30-point improvement with an Icemen team that had not seen playoff action in five years, had nearly 40 players skating through drills on Day 1 of training camp.

Near the end of the workout, he barked out information that undoubtedly came as an unwelcome surprise, at least for his players.

Scrimmage was halted, and the players began skating lines.

Back and forth went the players, some showing the lingering effects of a summer filled with more beach time than hockey time.

Gregory had his troops in skating mode for a good 15 minutes.

After all, it is a training camp, and, conditioning camp, and Gregory wants his players to be as fit as possible when the CJHL regular season begins in one month.

So, what type of season might it be for the Icemen, who are celebrating their 20^th season in the Capital Junior Hockey League in 2011-2012?

The team certainly expects to compete for a playoff position, given its success one year ago.

After making it into the post season for the first time in five years in the final week of the regular season, the Icemen stunned Sherwood Park in the opening round thanks to a thrilling overtime goal by Dylan MacKay in game three of the series, then received another OT marker from MacKay in Game 2 of the second round, pushing Beaumont to a fifth and deciding game in their series before finally succumbing to the eventual league champions.

MacKay is back in Wetaskiwin, and will be one of the players Gregory will count on for offence in the upcoming season.

Gregory will return three of his top four scoring forwards, with Brian MacDonald (10 goals, 29 points), Travis Gano (13 goals, 26 points), Michael MacDonald (11 goals, 22 points) and Jordan Howe (seven goals, 19 points) all back in an Icemen uniform.

Rit Spezzano, a speedy forward from Bridgeport, Conn. has also decided to brave another prairie winter. Two more veterans, Mick Bronson, and Micheal Chorneyko, who is expected to be in camp this week, are also returning to the Icemen.

On defence, Zach Pezderic will be an important player on the Wetaskiwin blueline. He will be a 21-year- old, and as one of the captains last year, is expected to provide leadership to some of Wetaskiwins younger players.

Three other local boys, Steven Walker, Corey Bowie and Brandon Wark, will also be back in the line-up for the Icemen. All three are all going to be 19 year olds, and are still young, allowing the group to grow together.

An addition to the blueline is Kevin Liner, a 6-2, 190-pound defenseman who played with Olds of the Alberta Junior Hockey League last year.

In goal, last years playoff MVP, Marcus Johnson, has graduated, along with defenceman and captain Cameron Dyck, and forward KC Lorentz.

Returning netminder Quinton Bell is slated to take over in goal.

Wetaskiwin-born Riley Bennefield, who tied for the team scoring lead, and for the MVP award, is not expected back. Bennefield totalled 29 points in 26 league games, and was the lone Icemen player to earn more than a point a game. He is at Portlands Western Hockey League camp at the moment.

But there is the potential for another Bennefield to be skating with the Icemen this season.

On-ice sessions continue for the Icemen Aug. 24 and 25 at 8:15 p.m., and Aug. 27 at 10 a.m. at the Wetaskiwin Civic Centre.

The Icemen, who are celebrating their 20^th anniversary in 2011-2012, will host the Second Annual Jim Pelehos Golf Tournament, Alumni Hockey games and season kick-off party the weekend of Sept. 9 and 10. Those interested in golfing can sign up at Wetaskiwin Agencies, Dyck Insurance or Jaspers Studio in Wetaskiwin. Entry fee for the golf tournament is $100. Registration is at 9 a.m., with a 10 a.m. shotgun start.

The Icemen will then host their alumni at the Wetaskiwin Civic Centre Sept. 10, with games at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Check out: www.icemenhockey.com for further information.

-story courtesy Pipestone Flyer

THE WETASKIWIN ICEMEN WANT YOU!

Icemen training camp begins Aug. 16 at Wetaskiwin Civic Centre

Icemen enjoyed 30-point improvement last season

Head coach Rick Gregory and assistant coach Grant MacDonald returning behind bench

We will supply you with …

Equipment

Employment

Billeting

Early-evening practices

Scholarships

Icemen dressing room with TV and stereo

Stick money

Gas money

We travel in comfort to away games in the Millet Lions club bus

AND WE HAVE THE BEST FAN BASE IN THE CAPITAL JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE!

Call the Icemen office at 780-352-4400

Celebrating 20 years of Icemen hockey!

http://www.icemenhockey.com/

The Icemen held their annual general meeting this past Friday evening at the Drill Hall, at which time team manager Rob Dyck was elected to the top position, unseating Norris Bernier as president of the organization, which will enter its 20th season of play in 2011,  2012.

I am pretty excited to be elected, and I look forward to working with Norris (Bernier) as past president, stated Dyck after the meeting had come to a close. We have got some new people coming onto our board, and we are just going to try and ride that wave.

Dyck is referring to is the most, successful season the Icemen enjoyed in many years.

After suffering through seasons that produced win totals of four, three, nine and one, the Icemen made the playoffs in 2010, 11. After upsetting favoured Sherwood Park in a thrilling three game series, Wetaskiwin came within an overtime goal in the fifth and deciding game of ousting the eventual league champion Beaumont Chiefs.

Our purpose as a board will be to provide young athletes between the ages of 15 and 21 with the opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills in the game of hockey. It is the mission of our group to assist young persons in the advancement of their educational and occupational goals so as to produce well, rounded, community oriented leaders of sound character and integrity, said Dyck, who operates family, owned Dyck Insurance. Training camp will be getting underway in August, and that is when the real fun begins. I look forward to chairing the meetings, and working with the newly, elected directors.

Dyck has extensive hockey background

Rob Dyck grew up and played his minor hockey in Wetaskiwin. He spent three seasons with Red Deer College Kings, and won back, to, back national championships in 1978, 79 and 1979, 80. He was captain of the team in his final year. Those teams will be inducted into the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame next month.

Dyck coached for 12 years in the Wetaskiwin Minor Hockey Association (WMHA). He was a director and president for two years each in the WMHA. He coached the Icemen for a season, and was team manager last year.

Securing coaching staff priority for prez

After inheriting an Icemen team that won just three of 38 games in the 2009, 10 Capital Junior Hockey League season, first year head coach Rick Gregory guided Wetaskiwin to a 30, point improvement in 2020, 11, and into the playoffs for the first time since the 2004, 05 season.                                                                                                                                        

Our coaching staff of Rick Gregory and Grant MacDonald did a tremendous job last year leading our club. My goal, obviously will be to reach a longer term agreement to ensure we have our coaches in place for the next few years, said Dyck. Recruitment is very important to the success of our team and having Rick involved with various coaching roles with Hockey Alberta is crucial in that regard.

Icemen financially sound

They may not be swimming in money, but the Icemen will enter the upcoming season on solid ground.

The team, which operates on a budget of approximately $110,000, has in the range of $50,000 in the bank to start the season.

 The Icemen are fortunate to have a very supportive business community that wants to see junior hockey survive in Wetaskiwin, said Dyck. We are unable to function without the financial help from our sponsors, advertisers, bingo workers, game, day volunteers, and fans.

Icemen 2011, 2012 Executive:

President: Rob Dyck, Past President: Norris Bernier, Vice President: Dale Palmer, Treasurer: Jamie Young, Secretary: Marilyn Snedden

This time, there was reason to look toward the future with optimism.

When the Wetaskiwin Icemen held their awards banquet this past Saturday at the Wayside Inn, the Junior B hockey team was able to do something it had not done in five years, hand out its trophy for Most Valuable Player in the Playoffs.

After suffering through seasons that produced win totals of four, three, nine and one, the Icemen made the playoffs in 2010, 2011. After upsetting favoured Sherwood Park in a thrilling three game series, Wetaskiwin came within an overtime goal in the fifth and deciding game of ousting the eventual league champion Beaumont Chiefs.

So, in front of about 150 faithful fans Saturday, Icemen manager Rob Dyck, emcee for the evening, had the privilege of announcing goaltender Marcus Johnsons name as playoff MVP. It was one of many trophies handed out through the evening.

Johnson, one of three graduating players from the team, rose to the occasion in the playoffs, and played his best hockey of the season to lead the Icemen into the second round, and to within a goal of the Capital Junior Hockey League semifinals.

My personal goal was to try and get this team into the playoffs, and once we got there, I knew anything was possible, said Johnson. I seemed to thrive on all the talk around town. I looked at it as a lot of pressure, but then I just channeled it into a positive, that all of these people were behind me and supporting me. It came through in my play. But I had a whole team behind me. It was not just me. I had a team and a town behind me. It was an unreal feeling.

Two other 21, year, olds, Wetaskiwin minor hockey products KC Lorentz and Cam Dyck, also took part in their last official function as Icemen players.

I guess the easiest way to put it is that for the last three years you came here to drink your sorrows away, and this year we came to celebrate. It was three years of build, up to one year for a climax, if that is a way to say it, opined retiring captain Cam Dyck, who spent four years with the team. I started my first season when I was in Grade 12. Now I am starting to feel a little old. It was definitely a great experience and a great journey being associated with these people. If one word described it, it is kind of sad to be leaving.

As for the other player awards handed out by the Icemen:

Mick Bronson was handed the Doug Randall Memorial Trophy as Wetaskiwins Team Player.

Zach Pezderic was named winner of the Memorial Award for his leadership, dedication and character. The award is voted on by Pezderics teammates, giving the honour a fair amount of presitige.

The Denham Ford Most Valuable Player of the Year was Travis Gano.

Corey Bowie was named Budget Beer and Spirits Best Defencemen.

The Jaspers Studio Rookie of the Year trophy will be shared by forwards Brian MacDonald and Ryley Bennefield. The two snipers also shared the Pioneer Chrysler Top Scorer award.

Defenceman Cam Dyck was named winner of the Parkland Agencies Unsung Hero award winner.

The Wetaskiwin Co, op Most Sportsmanlike Player award winner was Michael Chorneyko.

Fans who attended Icemen games were able to select their favourite player through voting, and the winner was Dylan McKay, who thrilled Wetaskiwin fans with overtime winning goals against Sherwood Park and Beaumont in the playoffs.

When the Wetaskiwin Icemen unveiled a new award at their year, end banquet this past Saturday, they could not have chosen a more, suitable name to put on the trophy.

The Sutter name is well, known in hockey circles throughout Central Alberta, in Canada, and across the hockey world.

And, for years to come, the Brian Sutter Leadership Award of $1,500 will be divided among the recipients, who will be picked by the coach based on their experiences through the season, on and off the ice.

The new award came through Gord Yake, one of the original board members for the Icemen. Gord is also one of the principles on the Sutter Fund and identified that they would like to support an award program for the Icemen, explained Icemen director Brian Simpson. Brian Sutter is a natural for leadership, as demonstrated by his words at our award banquet. The Icemen organization is not only about hockey, but we feel we have a role in developing leadership on and off the ice in support of the community. The descriptors we use are strength of character, ethics, doing the right thing, doing the best that you can, understanding your sphere of influence and the role expected of you, integrity, academics, individual development, need and volunteering in the community. These are all factors in leadership, and it is not necessary to hit on all the points, but at least one of them.

Recipients of the Brian Sutter Leadership Award in the first year were Cam Dyck, KC Lorentz, Brad Huolt and Michael MacDonald.

It is a real honour, being it is the first award, said Dyck, who captained the Icemen in his final year of junior hockey eligibility. Everyone goes through their challenges. It is extremely easy to lead a team when you have players like we had this year. We had a great group of guys, which really made the job for me and the other assistants easy.

After missing the playoffs for four, straight seasons, and winning just 17 games during that time, the Icemen advanced to the second round, and to within an overtime goal of knocking off eventual champion Beaumont this season.

Success does not come easy otherwise everybody would have it, said Sutter, who spent 12 years as an player with the St. Louis Blues, and coached in the NHL for 13 seasons. Like I said to the players, all they have really done now is set a standard for what they can be. Now they have to live up to that standard, and set higher goals. If they are good at what they are doing here, they are going to be good no matter what they do in life. The city can be proud of them, and they can be proud of themselves. It was special to be here tonight.