Thanks to Cranbrook and the Kootenay Ice!
We were thrilled to watch the Ice raise their WHL Championship banner during their home opener in September. What a spectacular show and such a storybook ending to that magical playoff run. It was great to see such a nice crowd and we encourage you to keep going to Ice games - there really is nothing as exciting for these boys as playing in a loud and noisy barn!
As we headed home for the last time, we spent some time reflecting on the last four years as our son, Matt, lived in Cranbrook and played for the Ice. It seemed only right that we should take this opportunity to say good bye and thank you.
There are no words that adequately express our thanks to Matt’s billets, Bill and Melanie Graham, who welcomed Matt into their home and their family. Thanks as well to their extended family of Bill Sr., Scott and Deanna, Jeff and Meghan, and Jim and Lori who have all treated Matt as if he were their own. We will forever be grateful for the care, kindness and encouragement they've shown him and their unending good influence on his life. Special thanks also to Donna Grainger who worked tirelessly to help Matt with his “Shoot for the Stars” campaigns and to all of you people who generously gave so that he could be successful with it. We must also thank Chris and the staff at Cranbrook photo for all the fabulous photos over the years – they are certainly very treasured memories. Thanks also to Jeff and his broadcast crew for the fine job of calling the games – it was not quite like being there, but a close second. Our gratitude also to the Townsman and their staff for all the wonderful articles over the years - they fill many scrapbooks in our house.
We looked forward to meeting the regulars at the rink and were always thrilled when someone came up to us and asked if we were Matt’s parents. They always had something good to say and this was such a relief – every parent does their best to teach their kids right from wrong, but when they leave, you really just have to cross your fingers. The mentorship of the coaches and the outstanding job of the billet families ensures we are sending our boys into good hands.
Three WHL championship banners in the rafters tell me that the Ice are a first class group. Thank you to the Chynoweth family for running a top notch organization – it is not an easy job being "all things to all people" when it is business for some and pleasure for others. Our sincere thanks to coaches Knoblauch and Holick and assistants Bancks, Johnson and Beatty as well as trainers Palichuk and Shaw. These are all first class guys and Matt always counted them not only as mentors, but also as friends. He left Cranbrook feeling that these guys would always have his back. Thanks to Tiffany and the office staff for keeping us informed and of course to Nella whose no nonsense approach and persistence is the biggest reason these boys can juggle hockey and school successfully.
Life in the WHL is not as glamorous as it seems; the bus rides are long, the grind is hard and the wins sometimes few and far between. Last summer, I asked Matt if he would look back on the WHL years and think they were the best or the worst of times. With no hesitation his reply, "Mom, don’t worry, it’s been the best time of my life and I wouldn’t have traded it for anything!"
In closing, thanks once again to the citizens of Cranbrook for their support of the Ice and it’s players. Matt’s time there has been in his words, "the best", and that is due in no small part to the way he has been welcomed and treated in your community. Our heartfelt thanks are extended to all.
Sincerely,
Sharon and Maurey Fraser, Red Deer, Alberta
