Nearly every Monday evening, the Power Dodge Estevan Bruins get together with team chaplain Nolan LaCoste and talk about scripture, some verses and a few things about life.
The meetings aren’t mandatory but the interest is clearly there from the players.
“In the time that I’ve been here it’s been nearing 100 per cent attendance,” said Bruins head coach and general manager Chris Lewgood.
LaCoste thanks the previous chaplains who have been part of getting the program together over the previous years for the interest that has continued with the team to this day.
“The people who have done it here before me have established a good chapel program and I’ve kind of just reaped the benefits of the work that has been done before me,” said LaCoste, a member of the Estevan Alliance Church. “It’s been really good that I took over a well-established chapel program here.
“Typically speaking our players all attend. It’s just a place for them to gather. They do talk a little scripture and religion but it’s very open-minded as far as the setting and with respect to other people’s beliefs. I don’t think it’s a pushy atmosphere. I think it’s more about people getting together and sharing positive thoughts,” Lewgood said.
“I see myself as a support person for the players off the ice, maybe for the team, if they need spritual or emotional (help),” said LaCoste. “Hockey Ministries International is who I’m part of and they do chapels all over the place.”
They meet to play basketball, dodgeball or whatever they feel like in the gym and then have a short Bible study.
“My main focus is that they would learn more about God, Jesus,” said LaCoste, who is also a firefighter. “Ultimately, they can take it for what it’s worth. If they learn a little more about being a better person, that’s a bonus but my main goal is to learn more about the Bible and Jesus.”
It’s another person to have an ear when they need it, Lewgood said, and provides some positivity in their lives.
Bruins team captain Jake Fletcher has been the one responsible for helping set the meetings and has enjoyed working with LaCoste – and being with the team in a place that isn’t a hockey rink.
“It’s away from the rink so it’s a little bit different, and everyone feels comfortable there,” Fletcher said. “Nolan always talks to us and it’s always relevant to what’s going on. Our team as a hole, he’ll bring up really good verses that just relate to everyone. It’s just a good place to get away from everything.
In addition to their regular meetings, they try to do a couple of fun things a year together, LaCoste said.
As the week has gone on and news of the crash that claimed the lives of 15 members of the Humboldt Broncos organization hit the Estevan area, LaCoste has been able to talk the players through what’s been going on.
“When we found out, we’d have meetings at the rink and Nolan would come do prayers,” Fletcher said. “We know he’s there for us and we all have his number. We can text him and call him for lunch whenever we want and he’s made a good effort to be out there for us. We know he’s a busy guy but he always takes the time. We really appreciate it.”
The relationships between team chaplains and players can sometimes continue on beyond the season and beyond their junior hockey careers. Former Estevan resident Barret Kropf of Trinity Western University knew Humboldt Broncos coach Darcy Haugan as a player and later as a fellow coach.
“We’re here in Humboldt and Saskatoon with a lot of other chaplains from Hockey Ministries International and I think you saw (Sunday) with Pastor Sean (Brandow) talking at the service. I would say all chaplains have this unique relationship that maybe coaches and managers can’t.”
The recent bus crash saw the need and role of team chaplains come more to the forefront than ever before.
“When something like that happens, guys were effected at different levels depending on if they knew people,” said LaCoste. “But I really believe it’s important to talk about what you’re going through, if you’re struggling. In any kind of tragic situation for anyone, I find talking it out helps start the healing process. My focus was to be available for guys if they needed to talk (and be) that first contact of someone they know they can trust.
“As far as giving advice, it’s kind of tough especially considering it’s so recent. I don’t think in mourning, there’s too much of a place for advice right off the bat, it’s more just support and comfort and listening to how they’re doing. And encourage them that what they’re feeling is normal to be feeling. Everyone does it differently and some might struggle with different things at different times. Continue to talk about it is my main message.”
Lewgood said it’s often the case where the players and their former chaplains will keep in touch.
“I know that Nolan keeps in close contact with guys that graduate from here,” Lewgood said. “Nolan has developed relationships that are stronger than others, but I think there’s a lot of respect and admiration for the work he does. He’s a very selfless person and the players admire him for that. As the players get older and older I think they’ll appreciate how little he gets out of it other that the joy he’s able to be there for them and
“Chris in Estevan cares for his guys but there’s some things he’s maybe not prepared for, and that’s where the chaplain comes in,” Kropf said. “You’re able to have a different relationship and talk about life stuff that maybe coaches aren’t prepared to handle… The chaplain fills a hole that the coaching staff can’t.”
Often, the players on junior A teams are between the ages of 16-20 but haven’t played far away from home before and need guidance in their lives off the ice.
“Their first knock against them is having to play away from home and live with a stranger, who takes them under their wing, a billet, which is a whole power story itself in the role the billets play, but a chaplain is able to take that 16 year old kid and take him under his wing and know that there’s a lot of pressure to play the game and at the same time, you’ve got a purpose in life to figure out,” said Kropf. “Chaplains around the world have become much more prevalent. It’s pretty rare to find a team that doesn’t have a chaplain program.”
Good times and bad, the chaplains and chapel are there for the players.
“I don’t hide what I’m going to be talking about, or what I believe,” LaCoste said. “If they want to come and hear about that then they’re free too. If they don’t, that’s fine too. I still try to develop a relationship with guys who aren’t interested in chapel. I still try to get to know them and I’m here to support them however they need.”
