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Independence, MO —
The past two evenings have been an emotional roller coaster for the Missouri Mavericks and their fans.
After losing the seven-game Turner Conference championship series to Fort Wayne, the Mavericks returned to Independence to pack their gear and prepare for what defender Cole Ruwe calls, “the real world.”
The CHL team hosted a goodbye celebration Sunday night at the Independence Events Center, and Monday the Mavericks Fan Club treated the players to a hearty pot-luck feast and rewarded each Maverick with his own homemade yearbook that recounts the events that took place in the most successful season in the three-year history of the team that has become such a beloved part of Eastern Jackson County.
“Tonight’s kind of like a wake,” said Frank Spevak, a fan who attends every practice and game as he walked through several lines to say goodbye to each player individually Sunday.
“You’re sad when you get here, but then you see the boys and enjoy talking with them. We love this team, and we don’t want to say goodbye, but all seasons come to an end. We just want them to know how much they mean to us.”
Another superfan who attended both parties was Garland Strickland, a cancer patient who calls Mavericks hockey, “My best medicine.”
“All I want to tell these boys,” Strickland added, “is thanks for the effort, thanks for all the memories. We’re proud of ‘em, win or lose. It’s important that they know that.”
As the players arrived at the Events Center on Monday evening, they came in groups of three to four players.
“It’s like a big graduation party,” said defenseman Dale Mahovsky, one of the newcomers who made such an impact on the team this season. “We know that we’re going to say goodbye to some good friends.”
Mahovsky might win the award for the longest trip home, as he begins a 26-hour drive to Fort Saskatchewan.
“I’ll have a lot of time to think about this season,” he said. “This is by far the best place I’ve ever been. The fans, my teammates, the front office – amazing. I can’t say enough good things about this community and this team.”
Ryan Jardine, a veteran forward who spent much of the season on the disabled list with two upper body injuries, agreed with Mahovsky.
“It was a great season, it just ended too soon,” Jardine said. “I was happy to come back, I just wish it would have ended differently. Having the concussion early and then the wrist injury let me watch the team, and it was interesting to watch the team come together and play its best hockey at the end of the season.”
The past two evenings have been an emotional roller coaster for the Missouri Mavericks and their fans.
After losing the seven-game Turner Conference championship series to Fort Wayne, the Mavericks returned to Independence to pack their gear and prepare for what defender Cole Ruwe calls, “the real world.”
The CHL team hosted a goodbye celebration Sunday night at the Independence Events Center, and Monday the Mavericks Fan Club treated the players to a hearty pot-luck feast and rewarded each Maverick with his own homemade yearbook that recounts the events that took place in the most successful season in the three-year history of the team that has become such a beloved part of Eastern Jackson County.
“Tonight’s kind of like a wake,” said Frank Spevak, a fan who attends every practice and game as he walked through several lines to say goodbye to each player individually Sunday.
“You’re sad when you get here, but then you see the boys and enjoy talking with them. We love this team, and we don’t want to say goodbye, but all seasons come to an end. We just want them to know how much they mean to us.”
Another superfan who attended both parties was Garland Strickland, a cancer patient who calls Mavericks hockey, “My best medicine.”
“All I want to tell these boys,” Strickland added, “is thanks for the effort, thanks for all the memories. We’re proud of ‘em, win or lose. It’s important that they know that.”
As the players arrived at the Events Center on Monday evening, they came in groups of three to four players.
“It’s like a big graduation party,” said defenseman Dale Mahovsky, one of the newcomers who made such an impact on the team this season. “We know that we’re going to say goodbye to some good friends.”
Mahovsky might win the award for the longest trip home, as he begins a 26-hour drive to Fort Saskatchewan.
“I’ll have a lot of time to think about this season,” he said. “This is by far the best place I’ve ever been. The fans, my teammates, the front office – amazing. I can’t say enough good things about this community and this team.”
Ryan Jardine, a veteran forward who spent much of the season on the disabled list with two upper body injuries, agreed with Mahovsky.
“It was a great season, it just ended too soon,” Jardine said. “I was happy to come back, I just wish it would have ended differently. Having the concussion early and then the wrist injury let me watch the team, and it was interesting to watch the team come together and play its best hockey at the end of the season.”
Team president and general manager Brent Thiessen made a promise to fans at both events – a promise that left them smiling.
“The core group of this team will be back next season,” Thiessen said. “It’s so special to have our fans and fan club members come out and say goodbye to the team. Our fans are a big part of our success, and we want to do everything possible to give them some closure on the season.”
When pressed for some specifics he said, “Well, Chezzy (Dave Psznyczny), (David) Simoes and (Ed) McGrane are going to live here this summer. And I know a lot of players who are hoping they can spend the summer here.”
The one question everyone wants answered has to do with goalie Charlie Effinger, who was the heart and soul of the team this season.
Will he return next season after carrying the team on his back into the playoffs?
“I don’t even know the answer,” Effinger said. “I just know I want to stay here as long as I can because my dad wants some ditches dug (at Effinger’s Garden Center in Belleville, Ill.) back home. I’ll avoid that any way I can.”
