By RYAN MCCRACKEN on March 16, 2020.
rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com
With a second consecutive David Johnston University Cup within his grasp, former Medicine Hat Tigers captain Mark Rassell watched the world unravel.
Waking up in Halifax with his University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds, ready to make their debut at the U Sports mens hockey championship tournament the following afternoon the news started rolling in. The National Hockey League announced it was suspending the season, Major League Baseball stepped in to cancel spring training, the Canadian Hockey League quickly followed suit.
Over the course of just a few hours, the U Sports hockey championships became some of the only sporting events on the planet still hoping to carry on through the growing concerns surrounding the spread of COVID-19. With no confirmed cases in Nova Scotia, there was reason for optimism then U Sports joined the rest of the world, and pulled the plug.
It was just so sudden, Rassell said in a Sunday phone interview. It was the night before our game and it was about 9:30 p.m. when we saw a tweet from Victor Findlay hes like the one U Sports insider and he said he was hearing rumours that the tournament may be canceled. When you see that theres rumours, you just kind of know.
We all understand the preventative measures and we have nothing against U Sports or Hockey Canada, they probably made the right decision in the big picture. Its just disappointing. There were no cases here at the time that they canceled it, right now no ones really freaking out. It hasnt hit the Maritimes too hard yet everything is open. If I didnt have social media I wouldnt think anything is different.
Despite an earlier announcement from U Sports suggesting the tournament as well as its female counterpart in Prince Edward Island would go ahead as planned, the season was over. For some of the tournaments graduating players, it meant the end of a career.
Our coach made the announcement, he said it sucks, and then our fifth-years kind of broke down, said Rassell. When I saw those guys cry, thats what hit the boys the hardest, just seeing the guys who dont have another chance. Some of them, their hockey careers are over just like that, because theyre in university and they might not want to go pro. So the fact they dont even have a chance to try was awful. We all kind of agreed, wed rather have lost and embarrassed ourselves than just not even had the opportunity.
In the days since, Rassell says he and his teammates have been making the most of their time together, as well as with their respective families, while taking in a few of the sights in Halifax.
Nova Scotia announced its first presumptive case of COVID-19 Sunday afternoon, however Rassell says the city remains lively.
I think there are about 10 guys on the team who stayed with their families and were all just kind of doing our thing. Right now were walking downtown Halifax and were going to go for a nice brunch, said Rassell. Its just kind of filling time. Classes are cancelled. We have no reason to be back in New Brunswick. Minute by minute, something else is getting cancelled. Now Im here and our exams will be online. It almost feels like purgatory just not knowing what were going to do and how were going to do it so were just trying to make the best of it in downtown Halifax. It really is a lot nicer than downtown Fredericton.
Even Rassells classes at UNB have been postponed or cancelled, with many moving toward an online component to close out the semester. Thankfully, the campus remains open, allowing Rassell and his teammates to continue off-season training when they return to Fredericton.
From what I heard our campus isnt closed. The classes are suspended or cancelled and moving online, but the campus is still open because the campus still has essential services for students that live there, he said. Its not like those schools that are telling people to go home. I think I can still go hit the gym, work out and do all that.
Rassell racked up 14 goals and 18 assists over 29 games as a sophomore with the Varsity Reds this season. While a professional career is still the goal, the 23-year-old Calgary product says hes already dedicated his next season to UNB.
After winning your first year and thinking youre going to win your second year, then having it taken from you, its kind of motivating, he said. Its driving me right now. I know next year were going to come back and be all wound up and ready to finish off what we started this year.
Rassell added hes been thoroughly enjoying the academic portion of his time in New Brunswick as well. With a Bachelor of Business Administration on the horizon, he has plenty of options but for now hes just enjoying the ride.
Im on schedule to get my undergrad next year, after my third year. That puts me in a position where I can choose to either leave and go play pro with my undergrad or come back and do a Masters program, said Rassell. You go to school and you think its going to be like high school and you think youre going to hate it, but honestly, university changes your mindset. Academically, its been awesome for me. Im studying finance, thats something Im really interested in and I could see myself having a career in. It kind of opens your eyes.
A lot of people say junior hockey is a bubble. When you get out of that bubble you realize theres more to the world than just playing hockey. But the hockey is an unreal part of university and the fact I get to do both is a dream come true every day.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Read the original post:
Making the most of it: Former Tigers captain Mark Rassell enjoying time in Halifax after having hopes of second straight U Sports title dashed by...
- Utilizing your free, preventative healthcare coverage - KELOLAND.com - February 18th, 2024
- Preventive Pros: the Podcast - Department of Population and Public Health Sciences - University of Southern California - February 18th, 2024
- Heart health awareness and preventative care with Jen Lewis on Coast Live - News 3 WTKR Norfolk - February 18th, 2024
- Heart disease risk factors in women highlight need for increased awareness, prevention - American Heart Association - February 18th, 2024
- Preventive health care benefits | Opinion | thecabin.net - Log Cabin Democrat - February 18th, 2024
- Menopause and migraines: New findings point to power of prevention - Medical Xpress - February 18th, 2024
- How Young Is Too Young For Preventative Skincare? Here's What Experts Want You To Know - Health.com - February 18th, 2024
- Potential prevention of rheumatoid arthritis with injection? Clinical study brings hope for millions - WION - February 18th, 2024
- Heart disease risk factors in women highlight need for increased awareness, prevention - Medical Xpress - February 18th, 2024
- Stay on top of your fur baby's health: the importance of scheduling routine vet visits - FoxReno.com - May 17th, 2023
- Preventive healthcare - May 9th, 2023
- What Is Preventive Health and Why Is It Important? - May 9th, 2023
- What Is Preventive Medicine & Why Do We Need It? | AUC - February 16th, 2023
- Preventive Medicine | Journal | ScienceDirect.com by Elsevier - December 3rd, 2022
- Migraine - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic - December 3rd, 2022
- Functional Medicine of Idaho | Preventative Root Cause Medicine - December 3rd, 2022
- These 2 Staten Island nurses believe IV hydration drips and vitamin shots are key to long-term health - SILive.com - December 3rd, 2022
- CNBCTV-18 and IIM-K's India@2047 Leadership Series: Challenges and opportunities in the fintech and healthcare sectors - Forbes India - December 3rd, 2022
- As N.W.T. mulls health coverage changes, petition calls for preventative HIV drug to be free - CBC.ca - September 20th, 2022
- EU regulator backs wider use of AstraZeneca COVID therapy - Reuters - September 20th, 2022
- Choose integrative medicine for health and wellness - Technique - September 20th, 2022
- The high hospital bills we make victims of rape and sexual violence pay - Vox.com - September 20th, 2022
- 4 Anti-Aging Products Youre Using All Wrong, According To Skincare Experts - SheFinds - September 20th, 2022
- Why Now is the Time to Double Down on Virtual Care - HIT Consultant - September 20th, 2022
- Tell Giselle: The price of good help is priceless - Wilkes Barre Times-Leader - September 20th, 2022
- Heron Therapeutics Announces U.S. FDA Approval of APONVIE (HTX-019) for the Prevention of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV) - BioSpace - September 20th, 2022
- Pickleball injuries are on the rise: 5 preventive tips to keep you on the court - The Manual - September 20th, 2022
- The next big social movement and other takeaways from our regular meeting - POLITICO - September 20th, 2022
- 15 Mushrooms and How to Use Them in Vegan Cooking - VegNews - September 20th, 2022
- Use of honey in the management of Chemotherapy | CMAR - Dove Medical Press - September 20th, 2022
- Celebrity Strategy Consultant Predicts What Will Be The Most Impactful Area In The Pharmaceutical Industry - Forbes - September 20th, 2022
- C2C Care Course The Preservation of Our Global Photographic Heritage: Here, There and Everywhere - aam-us.org - August 3rd, 2022
- Loneliness: Causes, Effects And Prevention Forbes Health - Forbes - August 3rd, 2022
- Prevention and wellness is the new model, a leader from Henry Ford Health System says - Becker's Hospital Review - August 3rd, 2022
- FACT SHEET: White House Summit on Building Lasting Eviction Prevention Reform - The White House - August 3rd, 2022
- Getting Back to Employer Health and Wellness Programs - Cone Health - August 3rd, 2022
- Do ICDs Still Work in Primary Prevention Given Today's HF Meds? - Medscape - August 3rd, 2022
- Alzheimer's-defying brain offers clues to treatment, prevention - Harvard Gazette - August 3rd, 2022
- Wind-fanned lightning fire prompted precautionary evacuation notices near Medical Springs Sunday evening - Baker City Herald - August 3rd, 2022
- Experts discuss importance of cancer screenings and early detection - Merck - August 3rd, 2022
- King Institute of Preventive Medicine and Research to test samples for monkeypox - The Hindu - August 3rd, 2022
- Consolidated guidelines on HIV, viral hepatitis and STI prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care for key populations - World - ReliefWeb - August 3rd, 2022
- Dr. Sanjay Gupta: While monkeypox cases rise, why are we waiting for the cavalry to rescue us? - CNN - August 3rd, 2022
- SCYNEXIS Announces U.S. Food and Drug Administration - GlobeNewswire - August 3rd, 2022
- Governor Whitmer declares August 2022 as Breastfeeding Month, highlights additional breastfeeding observances - Michigan (.gov) - August 3rd, 2022
- New student education program supports drug and alcohol abuse prevention - The Ohio State University News - July 25th, 2022
- Suicide prevention training for health care providers a first step in longer-term efficacy - University of Washington - July 25th, 2022
- Pharmalittle: Congress may miss deadline to pass FDA user-fee bill; ViiV is urged to lower price for its HIV prevention drug - STAT - July 25th, 2022
- Prevention of Bipolar Disorder Episodes: Is It Possible? - PsychCentral.com - July 25th, 2022
- GAO Found Gap in Dirty Bomb Prevention - Government Technology - July 25th, 2022
- Florida man in apparent medical distress crashes car through beach crowd before hitting the water - CNN - July 25th, 2022
- Study: Preventive care scarce in LGBTQ+ community - - Medical Marketing and Media - July 25th, 2022
- The rise of preventive insurance purchases in India - ETHealthWorld - July 25th, 2022
- Why Are My Feet Always Cold? Cold Feet Causes and Treatment - Prevention Magazine - July 25th, 2022
- Agency looking to open overdose prevention site in Saint John amid 'poisoned' drug supply - CBC.ca - July 25th, 2022
- UVA Expert Offers Insight on the Use of Dietary Supplements for Cancer Prevention - UVA Today - July 25th, 2022
- Alzheimer's: Targeting key protein in blood may slow progression - Medical News Today - July 25th, 2022
- NPPC, FAS focused on ASF prevention in the Philippines - MEAT+POULTRY - July 25th, 2022
- Implementation of IPT in people living with HIV | RMHP - Dove Medical Press - July 25th, 2022
- NL starts preventive vaccination against monkeypox in Amsterdam, The Hague - NL Times - July 25th, 2022
- Precautionary measures you can take against brain haemorrhage - Times of India - July 25th, 2022
- Acid Reflux and Liver Disease: Signs, Symptoms and Prevention - Healthline - July 25th, 2022
- What to do if you get an allergic reaction: symptoms, causes, and prevention - Fox News - July 25th, 2022
- How one woman took control of her rare disease and achieved her dream - Times of Oman - July 25th, 2022
- Tilman Fertitta donating $50 million to UH medical school, which will be renamed after him - Houston Chronicle - May 20th, 2022
- This new 3D screensaver collection includes a driving tour of global pylons - Rock Paper Shotgun - May 20th, 2022
- Dedication, generosity and compassion that had no limit! - The Sun Chronicle - May 20th, 2022
- Manhattan internist and cardiologist, Dr. William Priester collaborates with Castle Connolly Private Health Partners to create a new concierge medical... - May 20th, 2022
- Tips on avoiding mosquitos this summer - morethanthecurve.com - May 20th, 2022
- Nanomedicine and HIV Therapeutics - AZoNano - May 20th, 2022
- The HIV Vaccine: What We Know, And What We Don't - MadameNoire - May 20th, 2022
- What we know (and don't know) about North Korea's COVID-19 outbreak - WCVB Boston - May 20th, 2022
- Experts warn of health effects from dusty conditions as sandstorm blankets UAE - Al Arabiya English - May 20th, 2022
- Statin therapy: Does the gut microbiome affect outcomes? - Medical News Today - May 20th, 2022
- New Preventative Medicine Facility Wraps Work in NYC - Healthcare Construction and Operations News - November 7th, 2021
- MPD working with faith-based leaders to fight violent crime - FOX13 Memphis - November 7th, 2021
- Cornell grad and lecturer touts benefits of plant-based diet - ithaca.com - November 7th, 2021
- Meet the Cork-born bread activist who has Goldie Hawn buying her loaves - Irish Examiner - November 7th, 2021
- Pfizer says pill cuts risk of severe Covid by 89% - RTE.ie - November 7th, 2021
- The roots of ivermectin mania: How South America incubated a fake-medicine craze that took the US by storm - Yahoo News - November 7th, 2021