You could hear it in his voice the moment he sat down and joined us on the radio post game show after the Rockets season ending 3-2 win over the Prince George Cougars.
The emotion from the three overage players was expected, but having Rockets Head Coach Jeff Truitt fighting back the tears came as a bit of a surprise.
Truitt does wear his heart on his sleeve though, and displayed it last night once the buzzer sounded to officially put the close on one of the roughest seasons in franchise history.
Truitt was filled with emotion as he talked in front of a large gathering at Manhattan Point restaurant about the effort of his hockey team over the last two games, and was proud as ever that they dug down deep to pull off back-to-back wins.
Truitt saw something from his team this weekend that many Rockets fans had questioned over the course of the season.
a) Do the players respond to his leadership?
b) Do they simply want to play for the coach?
Without a shadow of a doubt, those questions were answered for anyone who witnessed the two games on the weekend.
The players cared and wanted to end off the season on a high note. They did it while still trying to come to the realization that playing in the post season isn't possible.
For Jeff Truitt, the 2006-2007 season will go down as one, if not the toughest, he's ever encountered.
Leading a young group of players, who were looking for answers all season long, took it's toll mentally and emotionally on the 3rd year Head Coach.
It required patience, teaching and repetition.
In the end it would add up to little reward in the eyes of the average observer, but Truitt knew better. The strides that his young players made this season left him with a sense of personal satisfaction, and the two wins on the weekend over Kamloops and Prince George just proved to Truitt that in fact the players have as much passion as he does.
Truitt's team may have only won 22 times this season, but the two victories on the weekend were enough to bring him to tears.
The 23 players on Truitt's roster proved that they care about winning as much as he does!
Regan's Ramblings:
Rockets overage d-man Clayton Barthel's season isn't over yet.
Barthel informed us on the post game show that he will be joining the East Coast Hockey League's Phoenix Road Runners.
Barthel leaves for the U.S on Tuesday following the Rockets awards banquet Monday night.
Captain Chris Ray had numerous chances to score in the Rockets 3-2 win, including a breakaway chance in the 3rd period, only to shoot the puck wide of the net.
Ray ended the season with 19 goals, meaning the Rockets failed to have a 20 goal scorer this season.
Ray left it all on the ice Saturday night though, leaving fans with a lasting memory of his hustle, determination and solid work ethic.
The most touching moment of the night may have come when Cougars overage goaltender Scott Bowles, before leaving the ice at the end of the game, came over to give Ray a hug congratulating him on his final game in the W.H.L.
Ray also had some nice words on our post game show for his father Jamie and mother Roxanne, who have watched his every move during his W.H.L career considering the Ray's live in nearby Westbank.
What a thrill is must have been for them to watch their son play four season of major junior hockey.
David Schulz may have played his best game of the season in a Rockets uniform Saturday night.
The first thing that stood out for me was his physical play.
The Winkler, Manitoba resident had several big hits in the game, and showed no hesitation in getting into puck battles either behind the net or in the corners.
Note to David Schulz: Get a copy of this game and watch it closely. Play like that consistently, and you will realize your dream of playing at the pro level.
David you don't have to run people throw the end boards, but you illustrated last night that if you play with a bit of an edge in your game, you are a much better player.
Rockets tough guy James McEwan fought 6'8 - 240 pound Vladimir Mihalik in a 3rd period scrap.
McEwan dropped the mitts after Mihalik took a run at Rockets forward Justin Bernhardt, who went crashing to the ice, losing his helmet.
Truitt does wear his heart on his sleeve though, and displayed it last night once the buzzer sounded to officially put the close on one of the roughest seasons in franchise history.
Truitt was filled with emotion as he talked in front of a large gathering at Manhattan Point restaurant about the effort of his hockey team over the last two games, and was proud as ever that they dug down deep to pull off back-to-back wins.
Truitt saw something from his team this weekend that many Rockets fans had questioned over the course of the season.
a) Do the players respond to his leadership?
b) Do they simply want to play for the coach?
Without a shadow of a doubt, those questions were answered for anyone who witnessed the two games on the weekend.
The players cared and wanted to end off the season on a high note. They did it while still trying to come to the realization that playing in the post season isn't possible.
For Jeff Truitt, the 2006-2007 season will go down as one, if not the toughest, he's ever encountered.
Leading a young group of players, who were looking for answers all season long, took it's toll mentally and emotionally on the 3rd year Head Coach.
It required patience, teaching and repetition.
In the end it would add up to little reward in the eyes of the average observer, but Truitt knew better. The strides that his young players made this season left him with a sense of personal satisfaction, and the two wins on the weekend over Kamloops and Prince George just proved to Truitt that in fact the players have as much passion as he does.
Truitt's team may have only won 22 times this season, but the two victories on the weekend were enough to bring him to tears.
The 23 players on Truitt's roster proved that they care about winning as much as he does!
Regan's Ramblings:
Rockets overage d-man Clayton Barthel's season isn't over yet.
Barthel informed us on the post game show that he will be joining the East Coast Hockey League's Phoenix Road Runners.
Barthel leaves for the U.S on Tuesday following the Rockets awards banquet Monday night.
Captain Chris Ray had numerous chances to score in the Rockets 3-2 win, including a breakaway chance in the 3rd period, only to shoot the puck wide of the net.
Ray ended the season with 19 goals, meaning the Rockets failed to have a 20 goal scorer this season.
Ray left it all on the ice Saturday night though, leaving fans with a lasting memory of his hustle, determination and solid work ethic.
The most touching moment of the night may have come when Cougars overage goaltender Scott Bowles, before leaving the ice at the end of the game, came over to give Ray a hug congratulating him on his final game in the W.H.L.
Ray also had some nice words on our post game show for his father Jamie and mother Roxanne, who have watched his every move during his W.H.L career considering the Ray's live in nearby Westbank.
What a thrill is must have been for them to watch their son play four season of major junior hockey.
David Schulz may have played his best game of the season in a Rockets uniform Saturday night.
The first thing that stood out for me was his physical play.
The Winkler, Manitoba resident had several big hits in the game, and showed no hesitation in getting into puck battles either behind the net or in the corners.
Note to David Schulz: Get a copy of this game and watch it closely. Play like that consistently, and you will realize your dream of playing at the pro level.
David you don't have to run people throw the end boards, but you illustrated last night that if you play with a bit of an edge in your game, you are a much better player.
Rockets tough guy James McEwan fought 6'8 - 240 pound Vladimir Mihalik in a 3rd period scrap.
McEwan dropped the mitts after Mihalik took a run at Rockets forward Justin Bernhardt, who went crashing to the ice, losing his helmet.
McEwan took exception to the hit, and didn't hesitate for a second in tangling with the big burly defenseman.
Mark my word folks, James McEwan will play with the Rockets next season as a 20 year-old and could go as far as being the team captain.
His efforts this season have not gone unnoticed.
No one sticks up more for his teammates, plays with more heart, and wants to do whatever it take to make this team successful.
McEwan is a valuable asset, that can't be overlooked as the team fills the void left by the departure of Chris Ray.
No one sticks up more for his teammates, plays with more heart, and wants to do whatever it take to make this team successful.
McEwan is a valuable asset, that can't be overlooked as the team fills the void left by the departure of Chris Ray.
McEwan's leadership qualities didn't come at a high price tag. He was castaway by the Seattle Thunderbirds this summer.
The Rockets simply got him for nothing and now are reaping the rewards.
Look for McEwan to wear a 'C' on his jersey next season after being an assistant this year.
The Rockets simply got him for nothing and now are reaping the rewards.
Look for McEwan to wear a 'C' on his jersey next season after being an assistant this year.
No comments:
Post a Comment