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Former Williams Lake man gets front row seat working for Team Canada at World Juniors

Gord Cochran is the equipment manager for Team Canada
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Canada celebrate a goal by Joshua Roy during second period IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship semifinal action against USA in Halifax on Wednesday, January 4, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

A Williams Lake Minor Hockey product got a sweet work assignment and front row seat to the historic Team Canada bid for gold at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Halifax.

Gord Cochran served as one of two equipment managers for Team Canada, and was on the bench when the team won gold Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023 in an exciting overtime match-up against Czechia.

“It was an experience of a lifetime,” Cochran told the Tribune of his work at the World Juniors, held annually over the holidays. “Something I’ll never forget.”

Cochran said the fans in Halifax were “awesome.”

“It was really loud in there.”

Cochran has more than a decade of junior hockey experience, starting his career with the Williams Lake Timberwolves in 2006 before moving onto the Vernon Vipers in 2008, and later winning a RBC Cup in 2010. He has also worked with Hockey Canada at U17 and U18 levels.

Currently the equipment manager for the Regina Pats for nine seasons, Cochran was given the green light by his team to further develop his skills with Team Canada for the World Juniors.

As a child growing up in Williams Lake, Cochran played on the U13 and U15 rep teams, and worked his “dream job” at Caribou Ski Source for Sports. Cochran also reffed minor hockey games and worked lining games at the BCJHL level for a couple of seasons.

Cochran currently lives in Regina, while his brother and sister still call Williams Lake home.

“I’d like to thank my family for all they’ve done,” he said of all the support he received to help achieve his dreams.



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Team Canada players and staff celebrate their gold medal win at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Halifax Jan. 5. (Photo submitted)


Angie Mindus

About the Author: Angie Mindus

A desire to travel led me to a full-time photographer position at the Williams Lake Tribune in B.C.’s interior.
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