Going into a new season the Golden Rockets are looking to their new captain to help lead the way to a deep playoff run.
Darren Andre came to the rockets three years ago after being cut from a Junior A team and considering giving up the hockey life.
“I was on my way home and had a stop over in Jasper. I got a call and was asked to come out to Golden when they convinced me to play in an exhibition game and I realized I could not give hockey up,” Andre said.
Now in his third season the 20-years-old is off to a solid start which has seen him get five goals in his first four games. As for being captain, Andre said.
“It is a huge honour. I have to follow some great guys who have come before me. I have good shoes to fill. Responsibility mostly comes off ice for the captain. Lead by example on ice and off ice people look at the way you carry yourself.”
Andre went on to explain that he and the older players are trying to help some of the younger guys who are still in high school adjust to being away from their parents for the first time.
He also gave credit to the billet families for helping all the players during the season.
As for the season itself Andre thinks this team has all the making to make a deep run this year.
“We have a lot of chemistry this year. Everyone is getting along well. We have the makings of a pretty unbelievable team this year. The end goal is to make the deep run in the playoffs. I want us to be the team that no one wants to face in the playoffs this year.”
As for his future Andre is hopeful hockey will lead him to a path that includes furthering his education. “I am in school right now and I am hoping that after this year I will have some options open to me. I would like to play at a college where I can play and get an education as well,” Andre said.
As for hockey, no matter what happens he will always play the game he loves. “You can’t give it up. I am probably going to be playing until I am 90-years-old with an oxygen tank. I will be the guy standing on the far blue line not doing much.
