New Westminster minor hockey was a big part of Aaron Loughhead’s life, but it also benefited from his involvement.
Members of the community, including New Westminster Minor Hockey Association, remembered Loughhead last week after the 24 year old died in a car accident on Dec. 22.
His involvement with the association ran deep, first as a player and later as an assistant coach to Peter Kaulfuss the past two seasons.
The two had played minor hockey and lacrosse together.
“He was one of my best friends, he was going to be one of my groomsmen,” said Kaulfuss.
The two got to know each other as eight- and nine-year-olds, and Kaulfuss said there was no better teammate to have.
“He was an incredible teammate,” he said. “In terms of leadership, he gave each person in the room what they needed.
“You talk to anyone who ever played with Aaron and we all knew he always had your back.”
Although he had taken the year off from coaching to focus on a new career, he had numerous friends in the association having played right up to the juvenile level.
A year ago, Loughhead served as an assistant coach with Kaulfuss’ A1 Royals team that won the midget Tier 2 provincial title.
Along with long-time friend Brandon Newman, the trio entered their second season together with a belief that they could do more than challenge for a Final Four spot.
“It was a real special year, a great group of kids and a great group of coaches,” said Kaulfuss, who skippered the squad for three years in total.
“Aaron was a little bit more reserved as a coach, he really picked his moments,” recalled Kaulfuss. “In our first year we were at a tournament in Port Alberni... In the final we were down after two periods 4-1 and we knew our guys weren’t doing what they could do, that there was more in the tank. (We) talked on the bench what our gameplan would be, and Aaron got into the dressing room just ahead of me. I heard him tell them ‘This game is not done.’ He really spoke right to the point, what they needed to do... We went on to win the game and the tournament in overtime.”
Last year they became just the second team in the association’s history to win a provincial banner.
“To show you the impact, at the (Herb House midget) tournament last week in the semifinal, even though they were up and needed a win to advance, five or six (New West players) left the game to attend the service,” noted NWMHA president Rob Nasato.
While considered a valuable team player, he gave up a chance to captain his team one year to play up on his sister Cecilia’s team — the only year they played together.
“That was one of the best decisions we made. It was really great to have them together that one season,” recalls Ed Loughhead, his father.
