If last season’s performance from the Waywayseecappo Wolverines was any indication of what fans can expect in 2020-21, they could certainly be in for another strong season with a chance to make another jump.
Finishing with 8 wins just three seasons ago, the Wolverines put together their second best performance in their 21-year history last year, going 32-21-5-2, good enough for a fifth place finish. A piece of the Wolverines puzzle who is set to embark on his third and final season with the club is none other than Gerrik Ripley.
At the time of the league shutdown, the Wolverines had just lost game three of their best-of-seven series to the Swan Valley Stampeders after picking up the organizations first playoff victory in seven years during game two in Waywayseecappo.
“It all came so fast for everyone,” Ripley spoke of the abrupt ending to last season’s playoff series. “When playoffs started, no one imagined that the season would end. We got two games in and then you think okay, maybe we could actually get shut down.”
“You didn’t really have time to think about it until after. In the moment, it all happened so fast and it hits quick.”
The product of Leduc, Alberta, who served as an assistant captain for the club in 2019-20 says he took advantage of the situation and has been hard at work in the gym and on the ice in preparation for the new season.
“I have a home gym in my basement so I’ve been busy since I got home working out. I’ve been on the ice 4-5 times a week since around the end of July. I’m pumped to get back into things and get the season going, I had a good off season of training.”
It’s no surprise to hear excitement building across the league with the upcoming season around the corner and it’s no different for Ripley and the Wolverines who will try and build off of last seasons success.
“Everyone’s excited to get going. We’re pumped to be one of the only league’s starting. The disappointment with how things ended last year fuels the fire for this upcoming season, we’re ready to go.”
“It’s just being around the team and building those relationships with the guys. I can’t wait to get back and see everyone. I’m really excited to see everyone coming back, I don’t think there’s a lot of pressure on us but we’re definitely going to have a good club and we’ll be ready to go when the puck drops on October 9,” Ripley concluded.
