Bulldogs to retire Timberlake's jersey
The Alberni Valley Bulldogs will honour one of its most popular players by retiring his jersey this Saturday.
Just before the Bulldogs take the opening face-off against the Chilliwack Chiefs, Devin Timberlake’s No. 18 will be raised to the rafters.
His jersey will join that of Colin Guiguet, who was one of the Bulldogs’ first captains. Guiguet’s hockey career was cut short when he suffered a serious knee injury.
Timberlake, an Alberni Valley minor hockey product, played for the Bulldogs for four seasons, from 2002–06. He was the team captain for the final two years.
“He was an exceptional leader,” said Tom McEvay, the team’s educational co-ordinator and now a friend of Timberlake’s.
“He was the heart and soul of the team. He was never the guy leading the team in scoring but he led the team in heart,” McEvay said.
McEvay stays connected with many of the Bulldogs’ alumni. He watched Timberlake grow up playing hockey in Port Alberni and predicted to a Brown University scout one day that “there’s no doubt in my mind if Devin comes to Brown he will be your captain before he’s finished.”
Timberlake spent two years as team captain at Brown, and was succeeded by another Bulldog alum, Harry Zolnierczyk.
Timberlake went on to play within the NHL Boston Bruins’ minor league organization in Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and with another team in Louisiana.
“That’s awesome to hear the Dogs are retiring Timby’s number,” fellow alum Jordan Kremyr wrote in an e-mail to McEvay.
Kremyr played in Providence, Rhode Island, near Brown University.
He is now playing hockey in Alaska with the East Coast Hockey League following a tryout with the Abbotsford Heat.
“Just let it be known that among all of our alumni, I am really proud of Timby and all of his accomplishments in hockey and in life,” Kremyr wrote.
“My heart will be with him and all of the Bulldogs with him that night.”
Timberlake is no longer playing professional hockey, having put his university degree in finance to good use with a job as a financial analyst at Primary Capital in Vancouver. Timberlake and his family will be at the rink for the ceremony before the puck drops at 7 p.m.
“Devin is the perfect example of someone who used hockey as a vehicle to enhance his education and life,” said Bulldogs’ current general manager, Spiros Anastas.
“My hope is that we pack the building so we can all celebrate him together.”
ICE CHIPS…Hunter Stewart is currently wearing No. 18 for the Bulldogs. He will have to change his number when he returns from the injured list.
editor@albernivalleynews.com Twitter.com/AlberniNews
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