Josh Bourne of the Nanaimo Clippers and Landon Dziadyk of the Oceanside Generals are two players who won't get another chance to compete for a junior hockey championship. (Generals/Gary Dorland)

By Dan Marshall

Premature End

Clippers and Generals left to ask what could have been

Mar 26, 2020 | 7:31 PM

NANAIMO – Two of the mid island’s junior hockey teams chasing playoff championships had their runs end prematurely.

COVID-19 shut the sports world down in mid March and junior hockey leagues quickly made the decision to cancel the remainder of their playoffs.

The Nanaimo Clippers of the BCHL and the Oceanside Generals of the VIJHL both finished first in their respective divisions and had both won their first round round playoff series when play was halted.

Josh Bourne played three years for the Clippers and was celebrating a four game sweep over the rival Alberni Valley Bulldogs.

He and the team were riding high after the club’s first series victory in four yours but the tone quickly changed one day before the second round was set to begin.

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“We got the news and you could just see the life drain from everybody’s eyes in the dressing room,” Bourne said. “It was a really tough day, you just get thrown into a whirlwind.”

Landon Dziadyk was an Oceanside General for six years and wore the ‘C’ as team captain in 2019-20.

For the five previous seasons the Gens were well below the .500 mark but everything fell into place for Oceanside when they won the North Division in the regular season and beat Kerry Park in four games to open the playoffs.

Dziadyk said it was frustrating not knowing what could have been if the playoffs were allowed to continue.

“We’ll never know and I think that’s the hardest part,” Dziadyk said. “A lot of us were saying we would have rather been swept in the first round rather than forever just wondering what could have been.”

Many players on the Clippers and Generals will get another chance to win a championship next season but that’s not the case for Bourne and Dziadyk.

As 1999 born players their eligibility has run out, but they leave with fond memories of their teammates and their time in junior hockey.

Bourne said he even though the season didn’t end the way he wanted he still takes great pride in the accomplishments of the group.

“Nanaimo will always be near and dear to my heart. I wouldn’t want to change anything,” Bourne said. “I’m super proud of everything that happened and all of my teammates. It’s just a really good feeling every time I hear the name Nanaimo.”

For Dziadyk the six years in Oceanside went by quickly. He called his time with the Generals the time of his life.

“Right from day one at camp I told the guys to enjoy the time because it goes by fast,” Dziadyk said. Everyone came together, there weren’t any cliques. I loved hanging out with everyone and it’s definitely going to be tough not to do that again.”

Even though their junior days are over there may still be opportunities in the game for Bourne and Dziadyk through US or Canadian universities or colleges for the next hockey season.

But as the two longest serving players on their respective teams they won’t be soon forgotten.

dan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On twitter: @danmarshall77