10-year profession involves an finish for Victoria native, Jimmy Kirkpatrick
When James Kirkpatrick was 15 years previous, he acquired a name from the BC Provincial Crew coach, saying they’d an harm and if he might make it to Calgary the subsequent day, he might play. Kirkpatrick packed his gear and flew from Victoria to Calgary for nationals. At that match, at the same time as a teenager, he felt like he made an affect. That was an early second when he knew he slot in and that he was going to make a go at top-level discipline hockey.
In 2024, James Kirkpatrick hangs up the hockey boots after a 10-year, 124 cap profession for the Males’s Nationwide Crew. Kirkpatrick performed in two Pan American Video games, the 2018 World Cup, the 2020 Olympics and the 2018 Commonwealth Video games amongst different main tournaments world-wide.
Kirkpatrick’s recreation was characterised by coronary heart, dedication and work ethic. He was a latch-key typer participant, a utility participant, somebody who might do all of it. Usually, there’s little glory in a job like this, however Kirkpatrick thrived. He mentioned greater than something, he needed to be a dependable participant. Somebody the workforce might depend on to do the proper factor in each scenario, irrespective of the stress, irrespective of the place.
All through his profession, Kirkpatrick earned a repute for his work ethic and reliability on the sphere. Whereas he was by no means one to hunt the highlight, he embraced his function as a utility participant, all the time striving to place his teammates in the most effective positions to succeed. James aimed to be remembered for his dedication and unwavering assist—a real workforce participant.
“I went by loads of adjustments as a participant, throughout my profession,” he mentioned. “I needed to be referred to as somebody who performed good protection, moved the ball nicely, was structurally sound and put my teammates in the very best place to succeed. I didn’t care about out-skilling the opposite workforce or scoring sick targets. I simply needed to be the man who did the proper factor each time.”
Reflecting on his experiences, Kirkpatrick notes the affect of his coaches and teammates. Giles Wheatley, who coached him all through his youth, performed a major function in creating his abilities. He additionally highlights the expertise of taking part in alongside unimaginable leaders on the nationwide workforce, reminiscent of Mark Pearson and Scott Tupper, whose dedication and teamwork impressed him as a participant.
“We had such a particular group of fellows and such a robust management group,” Kirkpatrick mentioned. “Everybody from that group, together with Pearson and Tupper, they bring about completely different abilities and personalities and set an unimaginable instance to study from. You study to coach and battle and discover your id.”
Among the many many highlights of his profession, Kirkpatrick recollects his first Azlan Shah Cup, the place taking part in in entrance of 1000’s of followers made him understand the joy and fervour of worldwide competitors, particularly in vibrant hockey communities all over the world. The 2019 Olympic qualifiers hosted in West Vancouver was an unforgettable milestone, finally culminating in his look on the Tokyo Olympics.
“It was the best of highs after we certified [in West Vancouver]. Then getting to really compete in Tokyo on the Olympic video games was the end result of years of arduous work,” he mentioned. “There have been no followers due to COVID, nevertheless it was nonetheless tremendous memorable. I want my household was there so I might have shared that second with them, as a result of they’re such an enormous a part of this journey.”
As James steps away from the aggressive area, what he’ll miss probably the most are the friendships and camaraderie constructed through the years. The close-knit tradition of the nationwide workforce introduced him pleasure, and he fondly remembers the shared laughs on the highway, espresso adventures with fellow teammates, and night board video games.
Trying ahead, Kirkpatrick has clear aspirations. He envisions contributing again to the game that has given him a lot — by teaching, involvement in sport governance, and persevering with to assist group applications. He’s dedicated to leaving the game in a greater place for the subsequent technology of athletes, guaranteeing that they, too, have the chance to expertise the thrill and challenges he has cherished.
