Pictou County Crushers thankful for season they had

Especially being a local player, Pictou County junior A captain Jake Martin appreciated each day he was able to pull on a Crushers’ jersey and play for the team’s fanbase.

And even with the rug pulled out from underneath his hockey season for a second straight year due to COVID restrictions, the 20-year-old graduating player showed what made him a good leader by still expressing that appreciation.

“It sucks we don’t get to play hockey, but I’m still thankful that we had the chance to when there are so many people in Canada that didn’t get the chance,” he said. “I’m just thankful I was able to have any bit of a last season.”

The Crushers and their counterparts in the Maritime Hockey League’s Eastlink South Division all decided to end their season April 27 following the announcement of provincewide restrictions until at least May 20. The division includes the other Nova Scotia teams as well as Summerside.

Three North Division teams — Fredericton, Campbellton and Miramichi — are continuing, while Grand Falls and Edmundston have also ended their seasons.

“Obviously, disappointed that we didn’t get to see the season come to end with the crowning of a champion. With that being said, we do understand how fortunate we have been to get this far,” Crushers general manager Chad McDavid said. “We feel for our players, especially our 20-year-olds, who have now had their season cut short two seasons in a row. “

Crushers’ head coach Willie MacDonald had a similar reaction.

“Two years in a row, the 1999 age group and now the 2000 age group, it’s sad to see,” MacDonald said. “No matter what it looks like at the end of the day, it’s a lack of closure, unfinished business. It’s something you don’t wish on anyone.”

MacDonald added he thought the league did a good job of getting in the hockey it did with the pandemic’s high and lows, and it’s unfortunate it’s back to a high just as they were getting ready for the playoffs.

“I thought we were coming together towards the end of it, to be honest,” he said. “It was a weird year in terms of team building, guys getting acquainted. It was hard to get to where you wanted to be as a team. But, I thought, we now had an interesting mixture that was ripe for an opportunity to make some noise in the playoffs.”

Martin talked about enjoying playing for each of the three coaches he had while with the Crushers: Doug Doull, Mike Danton and MacDonald. He talked about how well MacDonald was able to relate to the players and keep them focused.

“It was good having him this year, going through everything we did,” Martin said. “He was always keeping us on track, not looking too far ahead. Focusing in on what was going on that day and staying in the present.”

As for what he enjoyed most about his time with the Crushers, he said the local fans and his teammates.

“The guys I’ve met and had a chance to play with over the years, and representing my hometown,” he said, before talking about playing in front of large crowds at the Pictou County Wellness Centre before COVID. “It’s hard to think about now because that is something I’m going to miss for sure. I’m probably not going to be playing in front of crowds like that again.”