Back home at Ridley
From left: Carson Edwardson, Mike McCourt, Christian Girhiny. Photo by: BILL POTRECZ
Once a Tiger, always a Tiger.
Former Ridley Prep Boys hockey players Carson Edwardson (2015/16) and Christian Girhiny (2014/15) have returned to the school as assistant coaches on head coach Mike McCourt’s staff and both can’t say enough good things about the experience.
Edwardson, who is also employed at the school in one of the boys dorms and as a supply teacher and academic advisor, is in his third year back at Ridley after a successful junior career in the Ontario Hockey League and Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.
“I had Mike reach out to me to see if I would be interested in starting a coaching career. I wasn’t working at the time, I had just finished up school, so I helped out and everything progressed from there,” Edwardson said.
Edwardson, a 24-year-old native of Niagara Falls, loves the camaraderie at Ridley.
“It’s like a brotherhood and a family,” he said. “These guys are together like 20 hours out of the day with meals, practice, school.
“It’s like that family bond and the development you get here with Mike and the hockey program. Being on the ice every day, the way our practices are run and the way we play and travel. I think it’s good for any guy leaving here they can say it didn’t diminish their hockey career, it definitely helped them and put them in the right direction.”
Edwarson has aspirations of a career in law enforcement and feels his second go around at Ridley will be invaluable to him in that career.
“I never really saw myself coming back here but I’m glad I did. Ridley was always a second home for me and the hockey program is where it all started for me as well in my career. It’s nice to be back and give back to all these guys who are trying to do the same thing,” he said.
Girhiny, who works in hockey operations and well as an assistant coach, is at Ridley on a work internship from Brock where he is finishing up a degree in sports management. He plans to stay on at Ridley in 2024 following the internship.
“I talked to Mike maybe two years ago. We talked about coaching and he said there might be an opportunity to coach here,” Girhiny said. “I always thought I wanted to get into coaching so this was a great opportunity to do that.”
Girhiny, who also played in the OHL and GOJHL, quickly realized the difference between playing and coaching.
“I’m used to a bunch of guys around the room and we’re chit-chatting and now I’m one of the coaches and I have to put on my more serious hat and help lead these kids who are 16 and 17,” he said. “It’s a lot different atmosphere but I also being remember being in there shoes and the struggles they may be facing as a student-athlete this young in their career.
“I’m here to be a supporting hand and help them lead the way, whatever path they want to go. It’s very different but I’ve been enjoying every second of it.”
Girhiny has fond memories of his year at Ridley.
“Obviously, Ridley was one of the greatest decisions I ever made,” he said. “There are not too many organizations in Niagara that allow you to get your academics at such at high level but also play some of the best hockey there is.
“This is the best of both worlds. It’s a little bit of everything. It’s a small community, everyone knows each other, everyone is a family. If you graduated in the 1960s or the 2000s, everyone knows each other. It’s kind of like a reunion coming back and seeing the teachers who were all here when I was here.”
McCourt loves having alumni return to the school.
“They had a great experience when they were here and they have a connection to the school and I think that Grade 11 year for both of them was instrumental in them realizing success when they left to play junior hockey,” he said. “It’s an invaluable resource for us. Being fresh out it, our guys respect their opinions and that connection with the two of them has been great.
“They have a rapport with the kids I think is unique. They’re an extension of my office and that buffer for our kids and I think our guys look up to them. They’re great role models. If you can pick a Memorial Cup attendee’s brain or an OHL champion’s brain, I think all these guys aspire to get to that level. I’m fortunate to have them back.”
Next week BPSN will profile Ridley graduates Celeste Doucet, Annie Sheridan and Julia Hutton, who are assistant coaches with head coach Amanda Benoit-Wark’s Prep Girls hockey program.
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