Three families with strong ties to the Bedeque area experienced that on the same night last week, and begin play in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport national hockey championships Thursday.
See another related story here:
Cousins Nicole Corcoran and Sarah Johnson are teammates with the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) women’s-champion St. Francis Xavier X-Women, while the father-son combination of head coach Gardiner MacDougall and player Taylor MacDougall won the University of New Brunswick’s (UNB) fourth AUS men’s title in five years.
“It’s pretty impressive that we are all related in some way and we are all going to nationals,” said Nicole. “I’m just really proud of Taylor and Uncle Gardiner, and what he’s done with his program.
“I’m happy I got to experience winning an AUS (title) with Sarah.”
There were some special moments.
“When we won we just hugged, and it was really amazing we get to share this together,” answered Sarah, 18.
Nicole, 19, added: “It was great to have Grammy there, she was really excited. Both our families were there, and it was special.”
Grammy is 79-year-old Bedeque resident Evelyn MacDougall, who follows all her grandkids’ games online or on television when unable to attend them live.
“I enjoy every minute of it,” said Evelyn. “I try to see them all (live) some time or another.”
With grandson Stephen Johnson – Sarah’s brother – playing for the Moncton Wildcats, it’s not uncommon for Evelyn to follow three games at once.
“That entire side of the family is very hockey driven, and she is no different,” said Taylor, 24. “She watches my games as much as she can, and any time we are over on the Island she always makes it.
“It’s nice to play well in front of her because you get an honest opinion from her after the game. She’s very knowledgeable and it’s fun to talk to her.”
Hockey genes
Evelyn says family members inherited their hockey genes from her late husband, Charlie, who was an avid player.
“If he went on the ice, he went out to win,” recalled Evelyn. “That’s definitely where they got their passion. I can’t take any credit for that.”
One poignant moment for Nicole and Sarah following the X-Women’s win was celebrating with Evelyn – their undisputed No. 1 fan.
“She definitely is,” confirmed Sarah. “When we got a picture with her and the banner, it was so nice.”
Despite hectic schedules, the cousins all follow each other’s progress.
“When we were playing StFX in the playoffs, we ran into each other down there, and it was nice to catch up,” said Taylor.
Sarah admitted family took priority over school pride in that series.
“I love X, but I was hoping UNB was going to win,” she said. “I talked to him (Taylor) before one of his games, wished him luck and told him I was supporting him and his dad.”
Twitter.com/JpsportsJason
Connections
MacDougall family connections
at CIS hockey championships:
Gardiner MacDougall (UNB coach) – son of Evelyn and the late Charlie MacDougall of Bedeque.
Taylor MacDougall (UNB forward) – son of Gardiner and Lee MacDougall of New Maryland, N.B.
Nicole Corcoran (St. F.X. defenceman) – daughter of Nancy (nee MacDougall) and Kelly Corcoran of Piusville. Nicole’s older brother, Brett Corcoran, is athletic director at Kensington Intermediate-Senior High School.
Sarah Johnson (St. F.X. forward) – daughter of Kathryn (nee MacDougall) and Barry Johnson of Moncton, N.B. Kathryn competed for Canada in field hockey in the 1988 Olympics.
Three families with strong ties to the Bedeque area experienced that on the same night last week, and begin play in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport national hockey championships Thursday.
See another related story here:
Cousins Nicole Corcoran and Sarah Johnson are teammates with the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) women’s-champion St. Francis Xavier X-Women, while the father-son combination of head coach Gardiner MacDougall and player Taylor MacDougall won the University of New Brunswick’s (UNB) fourth AUS men’s title in five years.
“It’s pretty impressive that we are all related in some way and we are all going to nationals,” said Nicole. “I’m just really proud of Taylor and Uncle Gardiner, and what he’s done with his program.
“I’m happy I got to experience winning an AUS (title) with Sarah.”
There were some special moments.
“When we won we just hugged, and it was really amazing we get to share this together,” answered Sarah, 18.
Nicole, 19, added: “It was great to have Grammy there, she was really excited. Both our families were there, and it was special.”
Grammy is 79-year-old Bedeque resident Evelyn MacDougall, who follows all her grandkids’ games online or on television when unable to attend them live.
“I enjoy every minute of it,” said Evelyn. “I try to see them all (live) some time or another.”
With grandson Stephen Johnson – Sarah’s brother – playing for the Moncton Wildcats, it’s not uncommon for Evelyn to follow three games at once.
“That entire side of the family is very hockey driven, and she is no different,” said Taylor, 24. “She watches my games as much as she can, and any time we are over on the Island she always makes it.
“It’s nice to play well in front of her because you get an honest opinion from her after the game. She’s very knowledgeable and it’s fun to talk to her.”
Hockey genes
Evelyn says family members inherited their hockey genes from her late husband, Charlie, who was an avid player.
“If he went on the ice, he went out to win,” recalled Evelyn. “That’s definitely where they got their passion. I can’t take any credit for that.”
One poignant moment for Nicole and Sarah following the X-Women’s win was celebrating with Evelyn – their undisputed No. 1 fan.
“She definitely is,” confirmed Sarah. “When we got a picture with her and the banner, it was so nice.”
Despite hectic schedules, the cousins all follow each other’s progress.
“When we were playing StFX in the playoffs, we ran into each other down there, and it was nice to catch up,” said Taylor.
Sarah admitted family took priority over school pride in that series.
“I love X, but I was hoping UNB was going to win,” she said. “I talked to him (Taylor) before one of his games, wished him luck and told him I was supporting him and his dad.”
Twitter.com/JpsportsJason
Connections
MacDougall family connections
at CIS hockey championships:
Gardiner MacDougall (UNB coach) – son of Evelyn and the late Charlie MacDougall of Bedeque.
Taylor MacDougall (UNB forward) – son of Gardiner and Lee MacDougall of New Maryland, N.B.
Nicole Corcoran (St. F.X. defenceman) – daughter of Nancy (nee MacDougall) and Kelly Corcoran of Piusville. Nicole’s older brother, Brett Corcoran, is athletic director at Kensington Intermediate-Senior High School.
Sarah Johnson (St. F.X. forward) – daughter of Kathryn (nee MacDougall) and Barry Johnson of Moncton, N.B. Kathryn competed for Canada in field hockey in the 1988 Olympics.
