WINNIPEG – Hockey players and coaches across the country were shocked this week when they lost a teammate and friend.
Former Western Hockey League player Cole Hamblin lost a short battle with a rare cancer on Wednesday, less than two months after being diagnosed, at just 21 years old.
“It’s amazing how much of an influence he had on me in such a short period of time,” said his former roomate Andrew D’Agostini. “I was really looking forward to spending the year with him and living with him.”
The St. Adolphe, Manitoba defenceman played for the Spokane Chiefs and Regina Pats in the WHL. He also spent time with the Selkirk Steelers, Winnipeg Blues, Portage Terriers and Virden Oil Capitals in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League.
“Just a big old you know…. 6’4, 230 pound guy but he was very genuine and nice to everybody and looked after us,” said Clay Van Diest, who played defence with Hamblin for the Portage Terriers. “He was a big teddy bear off the ice.”
Hamblin was recently recruited to play for Guelph University in Ontario, where he wanted to study business.
“The plan was then for him to hopefully move on and play pro hockey when he was finished here,” said Shawn Camp, head coach of the Guelph Gryphons men’s hockey team.
He spent the past summer teaching local kids aged six to 13 basic hockey skills and getting to know his new teammates. But as training camp began, he started experiencing severe back pain and was losing weight quickly.
Even then, Hamblin’s teammates said he did everything he could to stay positive.
“One day completely unexpected he came home with a pet fish, something to keep his spirit up while he was having his back troubles,” said D’Agostini. “We took care of him as long as we could once Cole was gone.”
Hamblin returned to Winnipeg near the end of September, was diagnosed with a cancer called mucoepidermoid carcinoma and hospitalized soon after. He passed away on November 5.
“He was a good leader for all of us I think,” said Matthew Alexander, who sat beside Hamblin in the locker room while they played together for the Portage Terriers. “He really kind of showed the younger guys on the teams… how the game should be played.”
Hamblin leaves behind many heavy hearts.
PHOTO GALLERY: Cole Hamblin hockey moments
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