If anyone can get Sicamous up at four in the morning, and cheering no less, it’s the community’s own Shea Weber.
While Canada’s men’s (and women’s) hockey teams are being celebrated for their gold-winning performance at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, in Sicamous, Shea Weber is undoubtably the real hero of the men’s hockey event, if not the entire Games.
Weber was first on the men’s team to light the board with a marker six minutes into the second period of game one versus Norway – Canada’s first win, 3-1.
The Nashville Predators D-man potted his second goal of the Games during the Feb. 14 contest versus Austria. The shot was so fast, it had to be reviewed to make sure it crossed the line.
Weber’s third goal may have saved Canada from falling to Latvia, It was scored on a power play with just seven minutes to go in the third frame, giving Canada a 2-1 win.
Sicamous Mayor Darrell Trouton was one of many up at 4 a.m. Sunday, watching Weber and Team Canada shutout Sweden with a 3-0 victory to take gold.
“Shea Weber represented us like the leader he is and we’re just so proud of him,” said Trouton, adding the whole town is buzzing over Weber, and already people are looking to celebrate his Olympic contribution when he returns home in the summer.
“He’s the type of guy, if you really know him, he’s got grit, he’s a leader, he leads by example and it showed through the whole thing,” said Trouton.
Sicamous Eagles general manager Wayne March said Weber’s defensive play throughout the Games was a huge factor in the Team Canada’s success.
“What can I say? He’s the king of Sicamous,” said March.
On the News’ Facebook page, community residents were also keen to comment on Weber’s performance during the Games, with Brian Thurgood calling him the “best player on Team Canada,” Cheri Sutherland saying, “he is an awesome player and a great representative for Sicamous and Canada,” and Linda Thomas stating Weber has put Sicamous on the map; “We are happy he is our local boy.”
The most personal comment was by Hilda Nieme Hoas, who reflected on her small contribution to Sicamous’ hockey heritage.
“When I worked and would come home, the kids were always out playing street hockey – couldn’t go down Pine St., the Beech boys were playing there, couldn’t go down Spruce St., the Weber boys were playing there and Birch Ave. usually had the Franson boys over at Grandma’s playing, so I would go down Maple to Larch to come home so these poor kids didn’t have to move their nets,” said Hoas.