OLDS — Olds Grizzly defenceman Brendan McBride’s junior A hockey career has come to an end.
It ended with the club’s annual banquet and awards at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #105 in Olds on Sunday, Feb. 27.
The club showed its appreciation for his ability by naming him Defenceman of the Year.
Not long beforehand, McBride spoke to the Albertan about his time as a Grizzly.
The six-foot, two-inch tall 190-pound left-shooting defenceman grew up in Sundre.
He played U-15 hockey with the Red Deer Rebels from 2014 to 2016 and U-16 AAA hockey with the Red Deer Chiefs.
In 2019 he got in four games with the Grizzlys, but his career with the team really took off, beginning in the 2019-20 season when he played 47 games for the Black and Gold.
He was asked how he feels about that career now having come to an end.
“You know, it sucks kind of leaving a good group of guys and aging out or whatever. It’s such a fun league to play in,” he said.
“But (I’m) excited for opportunities in the future. You know, going to school and kind of getting life rolling here. I’ve talked to a few schools in the States. (I) haven’t committed to anything yet. You know, planning to go to school and play hockey and further my education.”
McBride is not sure if he’ll continue on with hockey after post-secondary education, but admits he loves the game.
“(I’ll) Just see where life takes me and kind of see what happens,” he said.
McBride grew up being a Grizzlys fan.
“My earliest memories are coming to Grizzlys games when I was young with my dad, so definitely a huge honour to play for the Grizzlys.”
Grizzlys head coach Scott Atkinson joined the team partway through McBride’s tenure.
McBride had great praise for Atkinson.
“When Scotty signed here, looking at his resume and stuff I was definitely really excited,” he said.
“He’s a great hockey mind and he knows a lot about the body and techniques for skating, so I think that’s one of the biggest things that’s developed in my game. Also confidence; just believing in myself, believing I can make plays and contribute offensively.”
