WEST KELOWNA, B.C. – The BCHL Warriors celebrated their hard fought wins Thursday with fans as they were paraded around West Kelowna in three trucks with three trophies.
The party gave the Warriors coach another moment to reflect on just what the RBC Cup win means to his team and the community.
“It’s almost surreal when you think back to everything that’s gone on here and just how difficult it is to win,” Coach Rylan Ferster said. “So many things have to fall into place. And like I’ve said before, special people do special things and I think we had a real special group this year.”
Ferster had his own experience winning the Centennial Cup, the predecessor of the RBC Cup, in Vernon during the 1989/1990 season and appreciates the sacrifices the Warriors made to come as far as they did this season with their win in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan.
“To come back here, a lot of years later of course now, and win, it’s nice.”
Ferster says his team was tight before the win, but are more like family following the successful season.
“People who go through winning, it’s so difficult to encompass what it really takes, the sacrifice that’s needed,” says Ferster in reflection of the Warriors winning efforts. “Kylar Hope playing with a broken hand and a separated shoulder. Jonathan Desbiens separating his shoulder on the Saturday night and I don’t know how played Sunday but he did and scored the winning goal.”
“Those type of things are the stories that really have to happen for you to win.”
Ferster also praises the maturity of the team to get along no matter what the challenges they faced during their 28 days on the road before the RBC Cup final.
“I never once witnessed any animosity or any little squabbles between the guys,” said Ferster.