INNISFAIL – It was four years since Wade Waters had suited up his goalie pads to play senior men's hockey.
And that was for the Maple Creek Hawks of Saskatchewan’s White Mud Hockey League.
It had been almost a dozen years since he played for the Innisfail Eagles.
He had given up organized hockey to purse a professional golf career.
But the hockey itch returned after some persuasion from best hockey buddy Drew Cole.
“He’d been bugging me for a couple years, and I didn't really have the passion and finally, he's like, ‘you got to come,” said Waters, now 35 years young. “I took the leap and came last year, and quickly realized that my passion was bigger and better than ever, and pushed myself to get in shape.”
On Oct. 26, the third game of the season for the Innisfail Eagles in their new nine-team league, the North Central Hockey League (NCHL), Waters was given the call to have his first start for the team since 2012.
He shut down the Bonnyville Pontiacs by stopping all 24 shots en route to a 7-0 victory.
“There were a lot of tears in the dressing room, a lot of gratitude,” said Waters.
The win gave the Eagles a two-win, one loss record for the season, one that has seen the team use different goalies in all three games.
The Eagles opened their first NCHL season at home on Oct. 5 against the Wetaskiwin Longhorns.
Team coaches gave Chance Griffith the call in net.
Griffith, 23, is a past veteran of three seasons with the Didsbury-based Mountainview Colts of the Heritage Junior Hockey League.
He suited up twice last year for the Eagles.
In the game against the Longhorns everything was going right for Innisfail after two periods, and they led 3-1 heading into the final 20 minutes.
But Wetaskiwin stormed back with four goals to claim a 5-4 victory.
“I think that was my fault entirely because I just didn't keep the pressure on the players to keep performing and keep doing the little things right,” said Eagles head coach Ryan Dodd, who had plenty of praise for Griffith despite the loss. “He's a young goalie learning the ropes but he can play.
“He was phenomenal. You should see that kid move; post to post, cross-crease. He can move like lightning.”
On Oct. 19 the Eagles went on the road to play the league’s two-time defending champion Lacombe Generals.
The Birds’ veteran goalie Chance Clark was behind the net.
“I told Chance, ‘you deserve this opportunity because you didn't go to the Allan Cup last year,” said Dodd. “I said, ‘well, here you go. Go shut the door.
“He went out and put on a performance,” added Dodd. “He made some huge saves, like huge, huge key saves against this top team.”
The Eagles went on to win the game by a score of 8-5.
And then it was back home to Innisfail on Oct. 26 for Waters' memorable game.
“The boys were so happy for Wade. Guys were hugging him. It was emotional,” said Dodd.
“We're building that brotherhood.”
The Eagles next NCHL game was scheduled for the road on Saturday, Nov. 2 against the league leading Camrose Bruins.
Camrose is three points ahead of Innisfail in first place but as of last Friday (Nov. 1) the Birds have played just three games this season versus seven for the Bruins.
And Waters will be there.
“Absolutely I am. I go to every game,” said Waters. “I will be there to help the team win.”
The Eagles next home game at the Innisfail Twin Arena is against the Morinville Kings on Sunday, Nov. 10 beginning at 2:30 p.m.
