With more than four million Canadian hockey fans watching on television, Akil Thomas scored for Canada with 3:58 left in regulation time to give his team a 4-3 lead over Russia in the gold medal game of the world junior hockey championship last weekend.
It was a lead the Canadian team would not relinquish and they left the Czech Republic the 2020 world junior champions.
Many of those glued to their televisions were Truro and area people, and a number were holding their breath, no doubt. Most local fans were aware that playing an important role for Canada was Truro native Jared McIsaac.
Wearing number 14, the heady defenceman came up with a strong performance as his team found a way to defeat the Russians. It was a moment of feeling proud when the Canadian players, and especially McIsaac, hoisted the championship trophy and were presented with their gold medals.
Another big moment for many of us was watching and listening to the telecasts and hearing an announcer say, “Jared McIsaac from
Truro, Nova Scotia.”
This happened a few times during the championship week, again, a proud moment for Truronians.
As one local hockey fan said: “Jared is so deserving, he was outstanding in representing his country.”
To Jared and the McIsaac family (and the Barkhouse family), thank you – this has indeed been a special moment in both world and Truro hockey history.
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As Pictou County Weeks Major Midgets hockey coach Kyle MacLennan and I talked recently, we were both aware that sixTruro area hockey players travel over Mount Thom to suit up with his team. Enjoying the high-calibre play associated with the Nova Scotia Major Midget Hockey League are local prospects Merle Putnam, Sam Archibald, Tanner Greatorex, Brayden Schmidt, Bryson Currie and goaltender Oliver Arnfast.
For this week’s column we are featuring Putnam, a centre and Archibald, a left-winger.
“Going back to last season, Merle Putnam played really well for us,” MacLennan said. “This year, Merle is bigger and stronger, he has a great skill set and his confidence has really come along. We are really pleased with where Merle’s game is going.”
With his team in fourth place and within striking distance of first place, Putnam has been a big contributor, firing 18 goals and adding 17 assists in 27 games.
“I’m especially happy with how our team has played so far this season,” Putnam, 16, formerly of Masstown and now a resident of Salmon River, said. “We’ve been able to beat the top teams and we’re where we want to be, right up near the top in the standings. I think we have a really good shot at making quite a playoff run this season.”
Putnam, who started hockey in the West Colchester Minor Hockey Association, began this season by attending major junior training camp with Halifax Mooseheads, followed by attending junior A training camp with South Shore Lumberjacks.
“It was really an exciting time for me,” Putnam said. “Before returning to major midget I was on the ice against more experienced players, this kind of showed me what’s ahead for me in my future in hockey.”
Coach MacLennan commented on Archibald.
“Sam Archibald missed a number of games because of a serious injury; it was tough on Sam but he’s battled through it. He’s worked hard and his game has really come along. Sam has a lot of confidence and he’s allowing his natural ability to take over. We’re really pleased with the progress Sam is making.”
Archibald, with eight goals and eight assists in 21 games, suffered a broken ankle during the second day of training camp with the QMJHL’s Charlottetown Islanders. Archibald was also a Truro Bearcats 2019 junior A territorial draft pick.
“When I first came back in early October, things were a bit rough; I wasn’t getting the bounces, I was having trouble putting the puck in the net. Of late, things are returning to normal, I’m beginning to develop my game.”
Archibald, who played his early hockey in Debert, described his team as a good group of guys.
“We have to stay away from mental lapses and show up for every game. With eight regular-season games remaining, we want to finish as high as possible in the standings.”
Lyle Carter’s sports column appears weekly in the Truro News. If you have a story idea, contact him at 902-673-2857.
