When Andrew McCarron steps on the ice at the County rink, he can’t help but notice the absence of a special person in the stands.

McCarron is the grandson of the late Terry McCarron, who won many provincial hockey championships and had the opportunity to play in the New York Rangers junior farm system with the Guelph Biltmores of the Ontario Hockey Association in 1953.

Unfortunately, Terry McCarron died on Aug. 25, 2018, after a battle with cancer. He was 80.

“Every game he’s been in the back of my mind,” said Andrew McCarron of his grandfather. “He’s been my best hockey role model since I was a kid, so I’m playing every game for him.”

McCarron always finds himself looking to the stands at the Coxheath venue, to the spot where his grandfather used to sit to watch him play his minor hockey.

“You remember little things like that and it’s definitely a boost on the ice because you know he’s watching somewhere, and I want to make him proud.”

Bio

Andrew McCarron

• Hometown: Coxheath, N.S.
• Age: 17
• Position: Forward
• Education: Grade 12
• Experience: He’s played with the Riverview Redmen for the past two seasons

The 17-year-old McCarron will suit up for the Riverview Redmen this weekend when the team hosts the 41st annual Red Cup Showcase at the Cape Breton County Recreation Centre.

McCarron appeared in his first Red Cup Showcase last February. Unfortunately, the Redmen were unable to win the event, losing 5-0 to the Halifax West Warriors in the high school hockey tournament’s championship game.

“It would be amazing to win the tournament this year in my graduating year,” said McCarron. “You feel for the Grade 12s last year because we weren’t able to get the job done for them — winning this tournament would be a lifelong memory.”

Riverview has had plenty of success this season, finishing in first place in the Cape Breton High School Hockey League standings with a 17-1-0-0 record and winning both the Mae Kibyuk Memorial Green and Gold and Panther Classic tournament titles.

McCarron, who didn’t make the Redmen in his Grade 10 year, has been a huge part of the club’s success, finishing the regular season with a league-leading 27 goals and 47 points.

“I just want to do what I can to help my team win,” said McCarron. “I want to be able to help Riverview win and at the end of the tournament, if we’re champions, that’s all that matters.”

The Redmen have 10 returning players from last year’s Red Cup team, which McCarron believes will be beneficial for the club at this year’s event.

“We can’t take teams lightly,” said McCarron. “We’re going to come out and play every game like we really want to win.”

Riverview opened the tournament Thursday night against the Memorial Marauders. The score result was not available at press time.

The Redmen will play Friday at 7:30 p.m. against the Avon View Avalanche of Windsor, N.S. The Coxheath-based team will also play the Lockview Dragons of Fall River, N.S., at 8 p.m. on Saturday.

The consolation and championship games are slated for Sunday at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., respectively.

Although his late grandfather never had the opportunity to watch him play live in the Red Cup Showcase, McCarron believes he’ll be watching every minute of the tournament this year.

“He was sick and couldn’t make the Red Cup last year,” said McCarron. “I know he’ll have a front row seat this year.”