It wasn't just a good opportunity to look ahead, it was also a nostalgic look back.
The major midget Cariboo Cougars welcomed former players back to the ice on Thursday night at CN Centre, hosting an alumni game that played out in front of approximately 200 spectators.
The former major midget players, some old enough that they suited up for the squad in its early days when it was known as the Cariboo Canucks, took it to the current roster in a non-contact exhibition. Led by three goals from Brian Matte, the old guard won 12-5, giving the present-day Cougars a sendoff to the prestigious Mac's midget hockey tournament, which starts Boxing Day in Calgary.
"It was great to see all those guys back, remembering the program that they helped along the way, and that helped them in their careers," said Cariboo Cougars head coach Trevor Sprague.
"There was no hitting, but it was a good tempo. It was 4-3 for the alumni at one point and they took it to us after that. We have to get ready for the Mac's and this was a good thing for us to have before we go there, to play at that speed. They gave it to us a little bit. There were a lot of good hockey players out there."
Among those to suit up for the ex-Cats were Garrett Thiessen, Ryan Howse, Jari Erricson, Mitch Elliott, Dylan Willick, Michael King, Shaun Cormier, Jordan Duncan, Tyson Hall, Graeme Lodge, Marcus Beesley and current assistant coach James Morrison, who teamed with Beesley to handle net duties.
The Cariboo Cougars open the Mac's tournament against the Beardy's Blackhawks from Saskatchewan, a team that features 2010 first-overall WHL bantam choice Alex Forsberg. Forsberg, taken by the WHL Cougars, has missed most of the season with a shoulder problem.
