A few weeks ago, we posted about an incredible team of young players in Lucknow, Ontario that we chose as our Team of the Month – the Lucknow Sepoys. They are raising all of the players as fine young men that are all passionate about helping their community.
When we reached out to the team, we found out about a tragic accident that the team has had to rally around and grow stronger from. This is that story.
“Sadly, we have lost one of teammates two years ago in a tragic farming accident. Brandon Metske. Each time we prepare for practice and games he is in our thoughts and we remember the passionate hard worker that he was. Below is an excerpt of my speech from the 2015-16 hockey banquet after I talked about the season and introduced the players. Brandon’s life was lost only days prior. His parents insisted that the banquet must go on.
“I have one more player to introduce, but first, I would like to ask you a question.
What is a Lucknow Sepoy?
What does it mean?
Is it just a NAME or a LOGO on a jersey?
I’ve been trying to figure this out this past week.
To me, a SEPOY is a soldier, a warrior.
A Lucknow Sepoy is a soldier that will go into each game, each single one-on-one battle with the intention of doing what is best for their team.
Always trying to be the first one to the puck.
Always playing with confidence and being the best that you can be.
The last player I would like to introduce is Brandon Metske.
He was a great example of a Lucknow Sepoy.
A solider for the team. A warrior on the ice.
We are not always going to have the same teammates each season. We may not always wear the black and gold.
We may not always have our favourite number on our back, or the Sepoy logo on the front.
But I ask that we always play hard. Play as a Lucknow Sepoy each time you hit the ice.
Play with confidence, and take one shift at a time.
“One shift at a time” is printed on the back of our home jerseys and that is how we play. We all know bad things happen, on and off the ice. We direct our focus to the next task and just try to be the best that we can be.
We have started a Memorial Day of Hockey for Branden. We had the 2nd annual this past October. His birthday is October 13th, so we host it on the Saturday of that week each year. Each team from Lucknow invites another center to an exhibition game. It is a celebration of hockey with the focus on respect. Respect for the game, respect for your teammates, respect for your opponents, referees, coaches, and parents. There is a HEART and SOUL award given to someone from each team that embodies these traits.
There is nothing better than being a part of a team. I’m not sure how much these kids are learning along the way, but I know I have become a better coach and person by being a part of this awesome group of kids.”
