Osipenko moves to block a puck in game 1 against team USA | Photo Credit: Mike Bernard / Hockey Canada Images
The Osipenko name has made the rounds recently as Kale Osipenko, the 17-year-old Jr. A Renfrew Wolves goaltender, is representing Renfrew at his biggest venue yet.
At the end of November it was announced Osipenko would be playing for team Canada East in the World Jr. A Challenge.
While the tournament is being hosted in Trois-Rivières, Que., the locals are cheering loud for Osipenko right here in Renfrew’s Boston Pizza.
Sarnia Sting (OHL) scout and St. Joe’s (SJHS) Renfrew teacher Nathan Hisko, said supporting Wolves sponsor Boston Pizza also supports Osipenko despite him playing over 400 kilometres away from home.
As a scout for the Sarnia Sting, the OHL team that drafted Osipenko, Hisko has seen Osipenko’s skill firsthand on multiple occasions.
Hisko said no matter the matchup and circumstance Osipenko’s controlled demeanor is one of his trademarks on the ice.
Hisko looks on to the big screen displaying Osipenko’s efforts against the Canada West team in the tournament semi-finals | Mik Horvath/MBC
As a teacher at SJHS, the school Osipenko currently attends, Hisko has also seen Osipenko’s determined character off-ice.
SJHS Phys-Ed teacher Ryan McIntyre also taught the Wolves goalie, witnessing his athletic prowess in class.
The watch party on Friday, Dec. 12, was McIntyre’s first and he said seeing Osipenko make it this far was no shocker.
McIntyre not only attests Osipenko’s netminding skills, but also his quality of character.
Fellow Renfrew Wolves were at the watch party as well to cheer on their last line of defence.
Wolves forward Bryce Rebertz has known Osipenko for a long time, even before the Wolves saga, and Rebertz said Osipenko is a great pick for this tournament.
myFM visited the Boston Pizza on Friday (Dec. 12) during the tournament semi-finals and Canada East and Canada West shook up the barn with an all-Canadian matchup.
After a hard fought bout, Osipenko’s Canada East lost to the Western side 2-0.
Despite the loss Osipenko still tops the tournament goaltender rankings as of Saturday (Dec. 13) morning.
Today at 3 p.m. will be the final appearance for Canada East in the tournament when they face Sweden to play for bronze.
(Written by Mik Horvath)
