Brock Hockey Notes Feb 19
The latest insider information for Brock Men's Hockey
Brock Hockey Notes connects you with the team by providing timely updates and insider information directly from Coach TJ Manastersky.
Please share this newsletter with fellow alumni and supporters of our hockey team.
In this issue:
The Death of a Team
Coaching Seminar
Photo time
Support the team
The Death of a Team
11 months ago, we finished the most successful season in Brock hockey history. We set the program record for wins, participating in the National tournament for the 4th time, ultimately losing in the national quarter-final to the best USPORTS team of all-time.
We said goodbye to a large, talented and experienced senior class including our 3-year captain and a two-time league MVP. We also celebrated 3 players who signed professional hockey contracts, including Connor Ungar who signed with the Edmonton Oilers.
Today we are outside of the playoffs. We lost the race by the thinnest of margins. We finished in 7th place, yet only four points from 3rd place and six points from 1st place. 24 of our 28 games ended in overtime, shootout, or with a goalie pull situation. Starting the season with 13 new players we were ready for learning moments, and we had plenty.
Regardless of the results, the feeling at the end of a season is similar. There is the death of the team and the grief of coming up short. We spent more time with each other than our significant others and we will never be together again. We chased and pushed and pulled our way through the season. There is a rawness to it – it's real and honest. And now it’s over.
I am incredibly proud of the resilience and character of this team. There are powerful examples of players putting the team’s needs above their own as we navigated the adversity of the season. We had a team that stood by each other through the challenges that faced us and the people within our team. I will remember this team for their ability to keep pounding the rock and supporting their teammates.
"It's like the joy of winning it still had no comparison to the pain of losing it" — Jalen Hurts talks about his mindset a few days after being named Super Bowl MVP.
Pain and joy go hand in hand team sport. The pursuit of a championship is where the joy is. Success and failure leave clues, and we will pull out the learnings as we move forward together.
We will re-group and get back to the work that is required to be the best Brock hockey team ever, building on the foundation of everyone before us and creating a place for the future Badgers to inherit and make greater.
Thank you for your support this season,
SURGITE!
Brock Badgers Hockey Coaching Seminar:
I am excited to announce that the 3rd Brock Badgers High Performance Coaching Seminar is on May 31st, 2025, presented by Ice Hockey Systems.
Learn, share, and connect with coaches, scouts, managers, and industry professionals from all ages and levels on the campus of Brock University in the beautiful Niagara region.
Event details can be found HERE.
Stay tuned for speaker exciting speaker announcements!
Space is limited. To reserve your spot right away, REGISTER HERE.
As a thank you for being a friend of Brock Badgers hockey please use the promo code for 10% off: HPCOACH10
Photo Time: Senior Night
Thank to our seniors (left to right): Liam Stevenson, Sam Vyletelka, Brady Caruso, Chris Cote, Cole Tymkin and Cameron Gaylor.
Support the Team:
Thank you to Michael Rohatynsky ‘71 and Steven Hoffrogge for their recent donations!
We are fortunate to have such a passionate group of alumni, family, and friends who are behind us. Each investment, regardless of size, is crucial to how we create an environment for success and growth. Your support goes beyond just funding the program; it’s about building a foundation for achievement and new opportunities.
Please consider a one-time donation or monthly contribution by clicking the button below:
How your support impacts the team:
$25 - Pre-game meal for a Badger on the road
$100 - Pre and post practice nutrition for the whole team for one week (protein, fruit, yogurt, etc)
$150 - New hockey stick
$500 - Post-game meal for the whole team
Youth Teams Free Tickets:
We provide players and coaches on youth teams free admission to one ticketed regular season home game per year. Additional tickets (parents, siblings, etc.) are then sold at a discounted rate ($7 adults, $3 youth) with a minimum purchase of 10 tickets.
The kids can watch warm up from the bench and meet the team after the game in the locker room.
Contact me directly at tmanastersky@brocku.ca if you would like to bring a team to a home game.
SURGITE!
TJ Manastersky
Head Coach
Brock University Men's Hockey
GoBadgers.ca
Follow us on social media:
Twitter:@BrockMensHockey
Twitter: @TJManastersky
Instagram: @BrockMensHockey
LinkedIn: Brock Men's Hockey Alumni Group