Murray Wood: The Grey Cup is coming to Saskatchewan... again!
It used to be that the CFL didn't believe Saskatchewan could pull off the big game, but Murray Wood says now it can't ge...
You would have to pay Jordon Cooke to win another award, literally, because he has won every possible individual honour at the amateur level.
The reigning U Sports (formerly CIS) goaltender of the year added a Spengler Cup gold medal to his trophy case, which also includes a WHL top goaltender and CHL goalie of the year.
Cooke, now with the University of Saskatchewan, surprised the hockey world when he was named one of three goaltenders for Canada at the Spengler Cup. Doing so he became the first active Canadian University player to be picked among a team of professionals, some former NHL’ers.
“Seeing all the family and friends and to win with all the people in that rink was something I will never forget,” Cooke said on Hockey Talk Saskatchewan on Sunday, after Canada beat HC Lugano 5- 2 in the final on New Year’s Eve.
“Just being able to take it all in, the rink is so rustic and they celebrate their sport so much differently you really have to be there to know what it is like.”
Cooke was as shocked as everyone else when he was pulled aside by a hockey Canada representative in December and told he would be joining Team Canada in Davos, Switzerland.
“I was in shock and awe,” Cooke said. “I was at the U Sports World Junior camp and they brought up the Spengler Cup and I had never heard of a university player ever getting the call to the Spengler.”
While minor league goalies Zach Fucale and Drew MacIntyre got all the games in net, Cooke was happy to take in the experience and represent his fellow student-athletes in U Sports.
He hopes this opens a door for Hockey Canada to select a Canadian University player for the Spengler team each season.
“I know there is a lot of good players and we don’t get the publicity we deserve but it was a great experience and I hope other guys get that chance.”
As the individual honors pile up, the Huskies goalie remains focused on bringing a national championship back to the University of Saskatchewan. The business major also wants to finish his degree before turning pro.
“Right now it’s about coming out on top in Canada West,” said Cooke. “Our team focus is to win a national title.”
