NEWS

 

The Collingwood Blues and their fans celebrate Owen Sage’s goal last Sunday. It was the forward’s first game since suffering a potential career-ending knee injury last April. (Photo by Nathan Bedard)

BY RON VALENTINE

It started out as a lot of hockey stories do with the player having a successful minor career with a well-known organization.

It ended with him being the leading scorer and assistant captain, then signing with a high-profile junior A club only to find out that there would be no hockey for that season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

When things did eventually get rolling the next year, the now 19-year-old was performing well and fitting in nicely. 

Then, in the second last game of the season, a nothing game essentially for his team, No. 11 went down to block a shot which ended his hockey career, or so he thought. 

The tale has a good twist in the end following a lot of determination and also sadness. 

Meet Owen Sage, born in Oakville, a prominent forward for the hometown Rangers' minor hockey association who went on to sign with the Collingwood Blues of the OJHL. 

His team, sure of a playoff spot with 61 points in the North, were at home to the Burlington Cougars, the first place club in the West. Saturday night April 2, 2022 at the Eddie Bush Memorial Arena in downtown Collingwood. Owen would not finish the game but this is his story...

"I was playing for the Oakville Rangers midget AAA team in the playoffs when COVID-19 brought an end to our tied series against the Burlington Eagles. My coach was Mike Tarantino (now the general manager of the Blues) and that's really when our hockey relationship started. In May of 2020, aged 17, I signed a letter of intent to play for Collingwood."

At the time of his signing, the GM had this to say about Owen: "His compete level is second to none and he is an elite skater as proven by his SCTA (South- Central AAA U-18 hockey league) all-star appearance."

Back to Owen: "2020-21 turned out to be a tough 'non-season' in junior hockey so I was really happy when we got going again in October 2021. It was after the enforced COVID-19 break that I really felt that I started to gain confidence and I was close to a point a game. The night of the injury we were killing off a 5-on-3 when I went down to block a shot and it got me just in the wrong spot on my knee. I couldn't sleep at all that night and ended up in the hospital. Two months later I had a major setback when the bone refractured and I was told it was only repairable by surgery."

The next while would be very tough on Owen.

"I had my right leg locked in a brace for three months until August (2022). In September I started serious rehab and in November I started practices, non-contact, with the team. As the season went on I was able to attend games, go on road trips and offer my support to my teammates in any way I could. I've always relished a leadership role and did what I could to help although I was unable to dress for any games."

Fast forward to Sunday, March 5, 2023 and a home game against  the Georgetown Raiders, the last one of the season for the Blues who had some time ago clinched top spot in the North-West conference.

"The game was our 'seniors night' and that morning I got a call from our coach, Andrew Campoli. He told me the management and staff were proud of the work I had put in that I would dress for the game and be on the ice for the opening faceoff. Fantastic news, especially since my mom and dad would be there to see me. Thank goodness they decided to stay for the whole game because after a couple more quick shifts I was put out for an offensive faceoff with about seven minutes left in the third. And when Bryce Sutherland put the puck on my stick I just let go a one-timer that found its way in. The feeling was amazing."

On the video of the game the commentator remarked he had never seen such a celebration of a goal that made it an 8-2 game (for the Blues) – and for a very good reason, Owen's goal. You can also see Mark McIntosh frantically trying to pick up the puck for Owen. In their special Shipbuilders jerseys, to honour local hockey heritage in Collingwood Owen was not wearing his old No. 11 but 18 instead. 

Blues President/Owner Dave Steele: "Everyone knew Owen's story. Scoring  that goal after not being able to dress for a single game all season was a fantastic sight for us. We very much wanted Owen, as a graduating player, to be part of the night. But when he scored there wasn't a dry eye in the place and I was the league's happiest owner."

Head coach Campoli: "After his reconstructive surgery, the doctor told him he would never play again. But he was such an inspiration to all of us as he worked hard every day and was always part of the team. He was at every practice in his orange jersey, did all the drills, travelled with the team, attended all the video sessions. We developed so much respect for Owen. The Blues have a motto 'get one percent better every day' and Owen did and got himself into a position where he was able to get back on the ice. On the morning of the game I talked to Dave (Steele), Mike (Tarantino) and our captain, Cam Garvey, about dressing Owen for the game and there was no hesitation. But we never thought the 'fairy tale' would play out the way it did. I will never forget the scene at our bench after his goal."

Back to Owen for his final comments.

"I have billeted with Cam (a fellow Oakville native) for the whole time I've been in Collingwood and I did my best to support him as much as I could in his injury-filled season last year. This time it was a role-reversal and he supported me all the way. All the guys in this great hockey culture we have here always made sure I was part of the team. 

“I try not to think too much now about the game where I got the injury but to move on and heal. I can't thank Chris Grolla, our athletic therapist, and the training staff here enough for how they have supported me. It was a tough summer and there were many dark days for me when I really got down on myself because I really couldn't do anything but I got through it because I was always part of the team."

How will the 'second season' play out for Owen? Will he be able to contribute on the ice, albeit in a small way, again should the Blues have a long playoff run? 

At this point he doesn't know the answer to this but one thing is for sure the night of March 5 will remain in his memory as well as the memories of his teammates and the fans at the game for a long, long time.

The Blues open their 2022 playoffs at home tonight against the Stouffville Spirit.