The question of age is one that has followed the Cowboys for a very long time.  When the first of the Cowboys began to reached age 35, not too far into the 1980's there were rumblings about looking for some old-timer hockey.  The trouble was, not all the team was old enough for an over 35 league.  Then, by the time most of us came of age, Derek and Cory had joined us and something this team has never been willing to do is let players go, so old timer hockey would have to wait.  That is why the RIHL was the perfect league for us.  There were some exceptions to the rule of over 35, and we would only enter the league on the condition that our younger players could come along.  At the time, that included Derek May and Mike Molema, but then a few years later, Cory May wanted to play.  The league again bent the rules to allow it, but it nearly led to the undoing of the league.  Other teams began to ask to have underage players to play.  Who were we to argue? Eventually, when the Blackhawks brought in a 18 year old, the league had had enough.  Last year a total ban of underage player was called for and the motion passed by a slim majority, the Cowboys naturally opposed.  The decision left the Cowboys regrettably looking for another league because, like always, we chose to stick together even if it meant joining a younger league.  Fortunately, when the RIHL learned the Cowboys were planning to leave, the ruling was repealed and the Cowboys age exemptions were allowed to stand.

The whole exercise was a bit of a shake up for the Cowboys.  Leaving the RIHL meant many players wanting to play on the Cowboys, but not old enough, would get a chance.  On the other hand, (although no one mentioned it outloud) it may have been a signal for some of the older players to pass the torch and perhaps hang them up for good.  That would have been tragic, I think.  With the Cowboys continuing in the RIHL, nobody is hanging them up just yet, but we could not ignore that fact that there were dozens of kids waiting their chance to join the Cowboys.  With the current age spread, and the tightening of age exemptions in the RIHL, that might not ever happen.  We simple could not hold on long enough for the youngsters to get old enough.  The solution was clear.  The time was ripe to branch out and despite what the skeptics said, Cowboys II were born.

It is going to be an interesting season.  In some ways it will be more work, but in other ways the workload will be better shared.  There will be plenty of action to report, and certainly no shortage of player at our Monday Night scrimmage.  

There are a few details to work out, sharing ice time with 30 or more players for practices.  The Father/Child Game will be interesting,  Intersquad will take on a new look and I'm not sure what will happen at the Old Boot Game.  How ever things develop, they will develop at twice the size.  We are two hockey teams, but a single Hockey Club.  Our philosophies and attitudes will be shared as will our many mottos, no the least of which is, "Once a Cowboy , Always a Cowboy."

- by Doug Collins

game and time to wake up.  The boys did just that with Colin May firing a rocket to the back of the net from the point.  But the Hornets kept buzzing back, again drawing within one late in the second period, but that would be as close as they got.  Dalyn popped in his second of the night and the Cowboys II hung on to record the historical 4 - 3 first victory in their first game ever!  These guys can play.  They have all the heart worthy to be called "Cowboys", and a little bit of skill to boot.  

I really don't know what the experience was like for some of these kids.  I know it must have felt good to win your first game out with a new bunch of guys who seem to be getting along good from the outset, but I wondered it they could sense the magic that I could.  I believe they can appreciate the great Cowboy tradition they were stepping into, but I wonder if they really know what they are getting into.  Playing for the Cowboys is like no other team.  It gets into your blood.  It becomes a part of you.  As the saying goes, "Once a Cowboy, Always a Cowboy".

Of course that not the only thing that gets into your blood.  

Derek McPherson was welcomed to the club with ceremonial "toast to Uncle Bob" and was bestowed with the honour of the Proud Canadian for his historic goal and stellar play.  Derek arrived on the team by means of email, looking for a team to play on after his planned move from Moose Jaw to Vancouver.   At the time, the Cowboys II team was not yet established but I promised to help him find somewhere to play.  I was delighted to be able to offer him a spot on the new Cowboys II when he finally arrived.  He was pleased to get the opportunity, but if he sticks around long enough, I believe he will really find out how fortunate he was to come upon this great group of players and community.

This was game one, and we're going to find out a lot more about all the new Cowboy players fairly soon.  They have accomplished the initial goal - they won one game.  I think they're going to win more.

COWBOY II stats >>>

On a somewhat over shadowed, but just as important note; The Cowboys senior team also won their season opener.  So the Cowboys are 2 -0.

-by Doug Collins

Jake's passing will cause so many of us to reflect back on better times and
stir our memories in recalling all the great stories coming out of Cowboy
history, a barn full of laughs we shared over the years, enough Rye to fill
more than a few milk buckets, the parties and of course hockey itself.  

Jake was a friend to all, an enemy to none.  I know I share with so many
others the sense of pride when I say, 'Jake Savage was my friend, and
although I'll miss him, I'll be forever grateful for the role he played in
my life'  

God Bless you Jake. 

Coach Cruickshank

I received the news of "Uncle Jake's" passing at a Monday night hockey practice just before I was to leave for Hawaii. It didn't give me an opportunity to send my condolences to John and the Savage family.

Being in such a far removed land from hockey, it gave me time and a chance to reflect on how I remember Jake.I remember Jake as an over powering physical presence that used to attend all the Cowboy games back in the 80's. There he was, a burly man, with a huge grey/beige stetson, a green jacket and size 20 cowboy boots. When Jake came into the dressing room after a game carrying two to four cases of beer (bottles in those days) you knew he was in the room.

He always had words of encouragement to give to team members on an individual basis...He'd put his hand on your shoulder, which by the way was powerful enough to dislocated it...smile and say, "good job". It was always great to see that huge man standing behind the glass with another huge man, Duncan.

Jake, thank you for your support. You may be gone, but certainly not forgotten.

Andre Retel

(Red Light)