On Sunday Feb.21 the Castlegar Rebels host the Spokane Braves at the Castlegar Complex. It is the the last game in the KIJHL regular seasonfor the Rebels. Prior to the puck drop at 2:00 p.m. Rebels player Darren Medeiros will receive a plaque in recognition of importantmilestones reached by him while playing for the Rebels. This is the final season for Medeiros, Mike Bhatoa, Nick Headrick and Carson Wornigin Junior B hockey. Bhatoa, Wornig and Headrick will also be recognized for their contributions to the Rebels.
Darren Medeiros has achieved something that no other hockey player has ever achieved before while playing for the Rebels. At presentcount, Medeiros has played 212 games for the Rebels. That is more than any other Rebels player. He also ranks as the player with the thirdhighest number of assists ever earned. He started his career with the Rebels at the young age of fifteen while still playing in the MajorMidget hockey league. And now at the age of 20, Medeiros is looking to play hockey at the college level next season.
The Castlegar Rebels will give Medeiros, who is also the assistant captain, a plaque in honour of all the dedication and hard work that he hasthrown into the game. He started playing for the Rebels six years ago. He was called up from the Rebels reserve roster to play as analternate player. His very first game as a Rebel showed promise for his future as a hockey player when he scored the winning goal. Heplayed all through the playoffs that year. The next season saw Medeiros play again as an alternate player and again as a Rebel through theplayoffs. That season they were KIJHL champions for their division.
Medeiros has been playing full-time as part of the Rebels team for the last four seasons. In his first season full-time, the Rebels under thecoaching of Steve Junker and present head coach Jesse Dorrans took the KIJHL Championship and went to the Cyclone Cup where they tookthe Bronze Medal.
Last year he received the team’s most valuable player award. Medeiros is very much a team player. He can score. He can pass. He has adiversity of skills. He plays right wing, but will play centre when needed. He has the ability to accomplish whatever the coach throws at him.
Tenacity and determination are written all over his face and seen through his actions. In his first few years playing with the Rebels, it wouldbe rare for him to walk away from a fight. Now with tougher penalties for fighting, Medeiros is more reserved when it comes time forpounding someone down. Medeiros will step in when needed and he has got his teammates’ back.
Darren started playing road hockey at the age of five. He started ice hockey at seven and played in the minor hockey leagues while growingup. He also played soccer. Both in hockey and soccer he played forward positions.
He started playing on the local rep hockey teams at a higher competitive level. He played in spring hockey leagues with other elite players.He played on the Castlegar Rebels Bantam Rep team. As team Captain, Medeiros lead his team to win the provincial championship. He wonthe Barb Junker Memorial Award two years running while playing for the Bantam Rep team.
Medeiros’ list of achievements is long, and it most certainly will get longer as he continues with his outstanding hockey career. He hasalways wanted a career involving hockey and it looks like he will get one.