The return of Casey Cain to Rosedale Heights ball hockey team is something to crow about.
The 17-year-old suffered a broken collarbone and had to sit out in Grade 10, and while in Grade 11 he took part in an exchange program to France for three months.
But he’s looking forward to leading the Ravens into the Ontario Ball Hockey Association’s high school tournament in early May.
Ravens coach Hovig Keshishian told the Town Crier about one of the school’s standout athletes one winter morning.
He raves about his star forward who also played for the boys varsity soccer team in the fall. Even though the Ravens finished with a 1-4-1 record on the season, Cain scored most of the goals, along with teammate Julian Aziz.
Keshishian, known as Mr. K to his students, adds the same is liable to happen when the team heads to Mississauga for the ball hockey tourney.
“You should see the way this guy stick handles,” Keshishian said. “When we played soccer this year he was one of the standouts on our soccer team.”
Though he spoke highly of his team’s captain, Cain is putting on his game face, given a fair portion of the team is younger than Grade 12. It was also his role on the soccer team.
“I was on a lot,” he said. “I don’t think I was subbed off very much.
“I was one of the older kids on the team, so I had a strong role on the team, trying to be a leader for all the younger kids.”
His deep background in hockey will help.
His mother originally signed him up for ice hockey, but since he lives across the street from Withrow Park, home of the Withrow Park Ball Hockey League, he transitioned from ice to asphalt.
“I really liked it,” Cain said, noting that he especially enjoys that he can play ball hockey throughout the summer.
Cain also offers a coaching hand in the intramural league at school.
As for Rosedale Heights, this may be Cain’s swan song. He’ll return to school for a final year, but he admitted it could be at either Eastern Commerce or Monarch Park.
“I need a few extra credits because I went to France,” he said. “I’m keeping things open, because I’m not sure yet.”