Veteran defencemen get the job done
Brock Badgers defenceman Skylar Pacheco. Photo courtesy: BROCK UNIVERSITY
The Brock Badgers men’s hockey team will have two huge holes to fill next season with the graduation of Skylar Pacheco and Dexter Weber.
The veteran defencemen have been stalwarts on the Badgers blueline for the past five seasons and will be difficult to replace.
“They were here when I got here three years ago and I was pretty lucky to inherit two defencemen like that,” Brock coach Marty Williamson said. “They have been two stalwarts. We never would have gone to nationals without them and they continue to be our best players.
“They are low maintenance guys who get the job done. If they mess up they know exactly what’s up and they don’t do it again. Their mess-ups are just natural things that happen in a fast hockey game.”
Pacheco, who hails from Kitimac, B.C. (about three hours south of Alaska), was the Badgers defenceman of the year and rookie of the year in 2015-16.
“It’s sad in a way but I’m also looking forward to the future,” said Pacheco, a 25-year-old who played four seasons in the British Columbia Hockey League. “It’s a bit of a grind so I’m looking forward to getting into a career if I don’t continue to play hockey after this.
“It’s something new and scary a little but I’m excited for the future.”
Pacheco, who is majoring in business specializing in human resources, has many fond memories of his time with the Badgers.
“It will definitely be weird at first,” he said. “I’ll miss it a little but I’m looking forward to the future and move on and I’m very thankful I was able to go here because I had a blast.”
Pacheco, who plans to catch up on his golf game this summer, feels he has progressed both on and off the ice.
“My first year we didn’t win too many games and it was frustrating at times, but since Marty has taken over but then we went to nationals a couple of years ago and then set a school record for wins last year,” he said. “I’ve seen the program got through a big change, definitely for the better.
“As a player I’ve learned a lot. Marty has taught me a lot. As you get older you think you know everything but there are always opportunities to learn. I’m very thankful he’s come to the program and made it fun for me.”
Dexter Weber
Weber, a 24-year-old Kitchener native, was the Badgers scholastic player of the year in 2014/15 and 2015/16.
“The years go by so fast, like the blink of an eye,” he said. “You only play 28 games (a season). We’re coming from 68 so a snap of the fingers, and it’s gone.”
Weber, who is majoring in sport management, also has many good memories.
“I love the school, I love the guys, I love the hockey,” he said. “It’s going to be a big change afterward. “It’s a lot of fun. You come to the rink everyday. You’re with them every day so that’s going to be a big change.”
Weber, who had four years in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League under his belt before attending Brock, would love to go out on top.
“It would be awesome, one last kick at the can,” he said. “It would be awesome to go the distance and go to nationals again and have a nice long run.”
Williamson has high praise for Weber.
“Weber makes the game look easy. He looks like be barely breaks a sweat out there.”
The Badgers, 12-10, are home to York Thursday at 7:15 p.m. and at Windsor Saturday.
“We’re still sputtering at times but I think we’re going to be a very good playoff team,” Williamson said. “That’s what I am looking forward to. I’m not too concerned where we finish. It’s two-out-of-threes and you have to beat everybody so let’s just get it going.”
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