I can’t help but think of Daniel Ruettiger, who inspired the one of the best sports movies of all-time Rudy, when it comes to Penticton Vees co-captain Cody DePourcq.
While there are differences between the two, they have one thing in common — they are smaller athletes who go the extra kilometre all the time. The Vees lost the services of their relentless co-captain after he took a slapshot to the face from a Nanaimo Clippers player about 10 feet away that broke his jaw in two spots in Game 2 of the BCHL Final.
“I was surprised that he actually got up. He went right off the ice,” said DePourcq’s father John, who immediately knew the extent of the injury.
After two days in the hospital, first in Penticton, then Kelowna, the 19-year-old now has two plates in his jaw.
John, who helped the Penticton Knights win a national championship in 1986, said the family was lucky that their son didn’t have to have his jaw wired shut. He figures after about three weeks his son will have more movement and won’t have to go six to eight weeks using a straw.
“At least he can move his mouth a little bit,” said John. “He can talk.”
The Vees were ranked No. 6 in the Canadian Junior Hockey League at the end of the season and continue their pursuit of the BCHL’s Fred Page Cup. They erased a 2-0 series lead against the Clippers, ranked 16th, as they responded to a coaches challenge after losing DePourcq.
“We have challenged our guys to bring the same work ethic and heart to the game that he brings every game,” said Vees coach Fred Harbinson. “He’s been with us for four years and the heart and soul of the team.”
Before DePourcq’s injury, which don’t forget the team is also without Lewis Zerter-Gossage with an upper body injury, the group was motivated to win an RBC Cup ring. Every time they visited the DePourcq household they wanted to see his 2012 championship ring.
“They’re excited when they see it. Nobody wants to touch it, just in case,” said DePourcq before the BCHL playoffs started. “That’s the fun thing about it.”
The motivation has just found another level. While in Nanaimo, DePourcq’s jersey was hung up in the dressing room at Frank Crane Arena. Vees assistant captain Jack Ramsey, called Rammer by teammates, said it served as a reminder to give everything.
“Before every period when we go out, we see his jersey,” said Ramsey, a Chicago Blackhawks draft pick, on Tuesday. “It puts it in your mind to have that mindset that Cody has.”
Ramsey already had a ton of respect for DePourcq, who went he first met him in training camp last season, and wondered if he was on the team because of his size. The respect is greater now.
“He just solidifies that every day. He’s one of the smaller guys in the league,” said Ramsey. “He probably has the hardest work ethic. He’s the toughest guy to go up against in the corner.”
I always remember a play from DePourcq’s rookie season when they won the RBC Cup. The Vees played the Prince George Spruce Kings and DePourcq burned 6-foot-4, 220 pound defenceman Trevor Esau in a puck battle along the corner, got the puck and found a wide open Mario Lucia in the slot. Lucia one-timed a shot top corner. It’s impossible not to love the way DePourcq plays. Players who never quit have a way of motivating others. When something bad happens to them, an inner determination from teammates finds another level. They want to perform beyond what they have done for that teammate.
John said his son watched both games on the Internet and was happy they are winning, and received text messages from the team.
“He was mumbling, he was trying to think of what he could say to the boys before the game on Monday,” said John, adding that they have received supportive comments from the community and said that his son appreciates it and thanks fans as it is helping with his recovery. “He actually wanted to go to the game.”
DePourcq may go to Nanaimo for Friday’s game with his father if he’s feeling well enough.
“He cares so much for his team. Wants to contribute and help out,” said John, who was at the game with his wife Lorri when the injury occurred.
As for Rudy, his resolve led him to live his dream of playing football for Notre Dame. DePourcq, with the same no-quit attitude no doubt would love nothing more than to join his teammates on the ice and hoist the RBC Cup. His spirit might just carry the team there.
Emanuel Sequeira is the sports editor for the Penticton Western News.
