BY SCOTT
HADDOW
Sudbury boy and Plymouth Whalers forward Vern Cooper is a prime
example of it's not how one starts a season, it's how they
finish it.
And what a finish it was for Cooper.
Cooper won the OHL championship with the Whalers after beating
the Sudbury Wolves 3-2 in overtime in Game 6 at the Sudbury
Community Arena.
Cooper didn't play a large role on the team as he is a rookie
on a veteran-laden squad, but he still played the role to
perfection.
He did what a rookie is supposed to do. He didn't complain
about lack of playing time, even when his club was competing in
his hometown.
And when he did get on the ice during his team's run, he played
a simple and smart game.
In 20 post-season games, Cooper had just one goal and one
point, but was a +3.
He picked up pucks at the end of warm- ups and practice. He
carried equipment onto the bus. He did everything that was
asked of him and he benefited from the experience.
Cooper's strong finish actually started in the last months of
the regular season.
He had zero points in his first eight games and didn't get his
first OHL goal until Oct. 14.
As the season wore away, Cooper picked up a goal and a point
here and there.
In the last 10 games of the regular season, Cooper showed what he was truly capable of. He scored three goals and 10 points to end the season and was a +10.
Overall, Cooper had nine goals and 20 points in 57 games, along
with an impressive +16 rating.
"Actually, I thought I had a good season and so did the team,"
said the five-foot-eight forward. "Personally, I accomplished a
lot thanks to all the great guys on the team. We had a veteran
team and they taught me a lot about the OHL and gave me the
hang of it. I believe my game is better now and I am a more
well-rounded player now."
Holding the OHL championship trophy high above his head was a
big moment for Cooper.
"It's unreal," said Cooper. "I never imagined it would be like
this...my first year and being part of a championship-winning
team. The guys battled hard through the playoffs and it's
unbelievable...now we get to compete for the Memorial Cup. It
was a great experience for me. I got to see first hand what it
really takes to win a championship from the older guys. It's
made me a better player on and off the ice."
Cooper was a great addition to the Whalers' roster. "Vern had a
great year for us and he learned the game from a different
perspective," said Whalers' head coach and GM Michael Vellucci.
"He fit in great with an older team and the guys loved him and
enjoy playing with him. That says a lot about a person."
Cooper and the Whalers are playing in the Memorial Cup in
Vancouver. The tournament, which crowns the overall Canadian
champion in Major Junior hockey runs from May 18 to 27.
