RCMP Plays Unique Role In World Junior A Challenge

November 18, 2011
Posted in BC Edition, Ontario Edition, Columns, Junior A

By Andrew Chong, editor /

I had the opportunity to take-in the gold medal game of the World Junior A Challenge alongside Cpl. Chris Goebel of the RCMP Lower Mainland’s Emergency Response Team.

And while most of the crowd at the Langley Events Centre was cheering for the hometown Canada West team (who went on to win, 4-2), Cpl. Goebel was firmly behind Canada East.

And for good reason.

“We had an awesome team-building day with them,” he said. “They’re a real good group of kids and I was rooting for them, for sure.”

In preparation for the Nov. 7 to 13 tournament, Lower Mainland ERT members put on a team-building event for Team Canada East at the Events Centre on Nov. 2.

It was a three-part endurance test and every player donned a protective police vest – nicknamed, ‘the beast’ – over his track suit.

And while the players thoroughly enjoyed the experience, there wasn’t quite 100 per cent participation for every challenge.

“We had the kids climb off the edge of the Events Centre roof to rappel down a four-story wall and three guys refused to do it,” said Cpl. Goebel. “Needless to say, their teammates weren’t too impressed and let them know about it—but it was all in good fun and everyone really seemed to enjoy the day.”

After repelling down the building, players used a 42-pound battering ram to force open a barricaded door.

Then, they put on more protective gear, shot paper targets, and practiced shooting under pressure in a mock scenario.

The ERT members wrapped-up the day by taking-on the players (and their coaching staff) in a little friendly contest: first team to pull their 25,000-pound armoured vehicle across the finish line wins.

And even with a significant disadvantage in numbers, the RCMP still won the bragging rights.

“The officers were really engaging in the activities with the kids,” said Jason Nobili, assistant coach for Team Canada East. “They’ve been very supportive, and they’re celebrating our players’ achievements with them.

“These kids are from several different club teams—many don’t know each other—so it was a great opportunity for our guys to work through some challenging obstacles together and make some great life-long memories.”

Forward David Friedmann, an 18-year-old from Toronto, said it was an experience like no other.

“Repelling off the roof was the closest to death moment I’ve ever had in my life,” he said. “It was the first time I’d ever put my life in another person’s hands.”