"Heart, Strength and Dedication -
A Leader, a Competitor, a Gentleman"

Doug "Mr Cowboy" Collins 2018-2021

In the summer of 2019, the Richmond Cowboys Hockey Club celebrated their 40th season of hockey. It was perhaps a sentimental decision to choose Doug Collins as Cowboy of the Year one more time (also selected in 1998 and 2014). While there may well have been other choices for the 2018-19 season, it seemed most appropriate to honour "Mr Cowboy" for 40 years of dedication to the club. Having initiated the Cowboy of the Year Award back in 1998, this kind of brings the award full circle. Some felt it may well be a suitable time to discontinue the tradition with it having "run its course". As it turns out, he would hang on to the plaque for 2 more seasons, with Covid 19 derailing many things.

However, the virus did not discontinue the Cowboys. Mr Cowboy led the team through most of the 2019-20 season until health authority closed the arena doors at the start of playoffs. A partial season was played in 2020, ending at Christmas, but when some teams struggled to get player and others folded, the Cowboys remained united throughout, coming back stronger than ever in 2021.

Supported by the dedication, heart, strength and loyal of club members, Mr Cowboy became Cowboy of the "Years".