Ryan Keis (26) and Felix Larouche (19) played their final junior games last month. KTW file photo
Lost. Weird. Disheartening. Confusing. Sad.
The Kamloops Storm’s retiring veterans had plenty of words to describe the feelings that came with the end of their junior careers, but fewer for what the future will hold.
“I’m not too sure. I’m pretty confused right now,” forward Ian Chrystal said.
“I’m lost without hockey.”
Chrystal — along with forwards Ryan Keis and Felix Larouche, and defenceman Marc DuMont — played in his last Storm action in Game 6 against the Kimberley Dynamiters earlier this week.
The four 20-year-olds have aged out of the junior hockey ranks.
They move on to life after the game, well aware the reality of the situation probably hasn’t hit home yet.
“It’s pretty weird to think I’m never going to have a practice again,” Keis told KTW.
“It’s kind of crazy to think it’s all over.
“But, it’s starting to set in.”
Larouche, the Storm’s captain for the 2014-2015 season, echoed Keis’ sentiments.
“It’s disheartening, a little bit,” he said. “But, right now, to be honest, not yet, it hasn’t sunk in.”
A group that for years has travelled together, eaten together and played hockey together will now go its separate ways.
Larouche will be moving to Montreal with his brothers, attending university at either Concordia or McGill.
DuMont is also headed to McGill, hoping to pursue a career in orthodontics.
Chrystal will be moving to Nanaimo, where his parents live, working for the summer and with plans to enrol in the trades at some point.
Keis will be moving home, he to Quesnel. He’ll work for his father’s logging company for the summer before starting a business program at the College of New Caledonia in the fall.
Although the quartet was disappointed to be finished with the game of hockey, there was also some relief expressed. The end of hockey means they can get the next chapter of their lives started.
And, though their futures are taking them in different directions, the Storm’s veterans won’t soon forget their time with Kamloops’ junior B club.
“It was the best memories of my life,” Chrystal said.
For Larouche, it will be the dressing room, the friendships and the time with teammates that will be difficult to replace.
“I think that’s what I’ll miss most, is everything around the game,” he said.
“Of course I love hockey, but I think it’s more about the relationships you make.”
Following Game 6, in the hallway outside the Storm’s dressing room, head coach Ed Patterson reflected on what the group of graduates has meant to him in his time behind the bench.
“We had a good, competitive division this year. Our guys developed a ton, I just wish I had this group of 20-year-olds for one more season,” he said.
“They’re among some of the best guys I’ve ever coached.”
Kamloops general manager Barry Dewar gave each of his veterans a parting gift — their Storm jerseys, autographed by their teammates, to commemorate their time with the club.
It’s those sorts of gestures, Keis said, that have made his time with the Storm so memorable.
“It’s an awesome organization,” he said.
“I wouldn’t change anything that they’re doing here.”
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