From the where-are-they-now files, an update on Oceanside’s own Brett Corcoran, which not surprisingly at all pertains to his sport of choice.
Now 23, ‘Corcs’ has been playing University hockey for the College of Saint Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota on a scholarship for the past three seasons, and has been rewarded for his efforts of late as a member of the Saints’ hockey team.
One of three local hard core hockey-playing brothers, Corcoran was recently named to the NCHA All-Star Team and selected Second Team West Region CCM Hockey All-Americans by the American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA).
Corcs played for the hometown Generals when he was 15 and 16, then went on to play Junior A hockey for the Trail Smoke Eaters in the BCHL. He had a cup of coffee with the Cowichan Capitals, but finished out his junior career in Trail as a fan favourite and assistant captain. He’s also an assistant captain at CSS.
The Saints just finished their season, being knocked out in the semifinals of their playoffs.
On Feb. 18, the Saints scored a minute and 19 seconds into overtime to defeat the University of Wisconsin-Stout Blue Devils, 3-2, to advance to the NCHA Peters Cup Semifinals.
The six foot, 180 pound forward is majoring in finance with a minor in business, and he was all business on the ice this year, piling up 17 goals (five more than his first two seasons combined) and 16 assists for 33 points in 28 games played (to go along with 31penalty minutes).
He’s the third of four children and middle of three brothers who all came up through Oceanside Minor Hockey, and who all laced up for the hometown Oceanside Generals.
Sister Ali is the oldest at 31. Big brother Darcy blazed the hockey trail for the boys — he suited up for the Gens as a 15-year old and went to play for the BCHL Coquitlam Express, playing semi-pro hockey later with Henry ‘Hank’ Acres in Sweden and Australia. The youngest, Sam, played for the Beaver Valley Knight Hawks of the KIJHL and played out his final year of junior with Oceanside.
As for Brett, “it’s all about hockey and getting an edu-ma-cation right now,” his sister joked good-naturedly, adding, “we’re all super proud of him.”
Contacted this week, Brett’s head coach Mark Wick, in his eighth season with the Saints, had great things to say about his player from Parksvillle.
“Brett had a great year for us — it was his junior year, and he kind of did what we expected him to do all along. He was just such a leader for us on the ice in all situations.
“He was great on the power play, five on five play … he had an All-American year,” Wick confirmed, adding, “he was also up for Player of the Year in our conference.”
The Saints play in the seven-team Northern Collegiate Hockey Association’s (NCHA) “which is regarded as one of the top conferences in the country … he had a phenomenal season, and I think he established himself as one of the top players in the conference.“
“We were the unanimous pick for last place in the conference at the start of this year and we finished second (at 15-8-5),” he said proudly, adding the Saints “had a tough year last year” when they finished last in the standings.
And while the land of 10,000 lakes may be a long way from B.C., Corcoran is one of over a dozen Canadians on the team, and Wick knows Vancouver Island well.
“That area’s been very good to us,” he said from a scouting standpoint and rattled off the names of four Island players he’s recruited — his assistant coach Brant Nicklin from Comox.
In the meantime, Wick said he’s already preparing for next season, which will be Corcoran’s final campaign with the Saints.
“We’re right up there,” he said of his team, adding “I think we’re knockin’ on the door of hopefully winin’ a national title, and it would be nice if we did that before Brett left.”
