Larries Recall Lost Teammate In Title Game Win Over OFA

By RYNE R. MARTIN

BRASHER FALLS - Moments after the St. Lawrence Central hockey team had accepted its trophy as the Section 10 Division II champions, the players raced to the west end of the rink to an area where just a few fans were sitting.

They wanted to share their joy with family members of Kyle Cootware, a former teammate killed in an ATV accident this past fall.

Kyle died on Oct. 11, just a few weeks before the sophomore forward would have started practicing with the St. Lawrence Central hockey team.

Classmate and friend Hayden Beaulieu said Cootware¹s mother had been sitting behind the net the Larries' goaltender, Jordan Gary, had guarded in the first and third periods.

"We just wanted to show his mom he was with us, and we will never forget him. He¹s up there somewhere smiling," Beaulieu said.

The sophomore defenseman was remembering his friend as he basked in the joy of the Larries 5-3 victory over Ogdensburg Free Academy in the Division II sectional championship game at Cheel Arena.

"To win this game is so huge. It was for Cooter," according to Beaulieu. "He was a huge inspiration for us the whole year. He helped us out a lot."

Senior captain Charlie Dullea noted nearly every member of the hockey team had been a teammate of Cootware in either lacrosse or hockey. "There might be a couple of rookies that weren¹t on a team with him, but that would be it," he noted.

The Larries wore special sweaters with Cootware¹s number 6 during their home games this season. Coach Mickey Locke said Cootware¹s jersey was on display in the Larries¹ locker room and the players had touched a sign in Cootware¹s honor in the tunnel before hitting the ice during their home games at the Tri-Town Community Center this season.

"I know he was always on our minds,"he noted. "It was always there, but it was something we talked about."

Locke pointed out there had been a short ceremony honoring Cootware¹s life before St. Lawrence Central¹s first home game. "It was so well done that day. People in Brasher did a nice job," he said.

And now the Larries head to Newburgh for a state playoff game. Players said they know Cootware would have enjoyed the team¹s playoff run, including the semi-final win over Salmon River in front of a packed house at the Tri-Town Community Center.

Gary, a junior netminder, and Dullea said they thought their former team member, known for his high energy level, would have greatly enjoyed the last couple of weeks.

"He would have been hoarse from screaming, his glasses would have been all fogged up and there would have been a big smile on his face," Gary said.