CORNER BROOK
He would lead the Royals to a couple of Herder wins and the province’s first Allan Cup title in 1986. He was a complete hockey player who many people felt should have found a pro gig — he could shoot, he could skate, he could pass and oh yeah, the big guy from Bathurst, N.B. could certainly throw punches with the heavyweights of his era.
Fans will remember the big smile on his face after getting the W in a scrap, or denting the twine with one of his hard snapshots flying down the left wing. It was an exciting time in the life of a man who many people felt could have played professional hockey with the right breaks.
He didn’t get the chance to play pro and eventually moved on with his life, returning home to Bathurst where he would become gainfully employed in the mining industry.
One of the most revered Royals of all time, Cormier will be back in the city next weekend for a special occasion — the Royals will retire his No. 5 jersey Nov. 6 in a pre-game ceremony before the Royals tangle with the Grand Falls-Windsor Cataracts at the Pepsi Centre. His buddy and teammate — goaltender Dave Matte — will have his No. 30 jersey retired at the same time.
Just being able to celebrate the momentous occasion is something Cormier is thankful for. If luck wasn’t on his side, he probably wouldn’t be here today.
Brush with death
His true grit was put to test with a brush with death in 2009. Cormier was enjoying a beautiful, mild April day in the country snowmobiling when an enbankment gave out underneath and sent him and his machine into the water. He would hang on for dear life for the next 17 hours. His leg was trapped under the machine and every effort to free his leg proved futile.
“I was there 17 hours in the cold water before they found me,” Cormier said in broken English during a telephone interview with The Western Star earlier this week.
Cormier would spend four months in hospital, and doctors told him it was amazing he even survived the ordeal. Knowing he had another chance on life made things a little more bearable when doctors told him amputation of his right leg was a reality staring him in the face.
“I spent four months in hospital and they tried to save my leg, but the doctor said it was a miracle that I was still alive after spending 17 hours in the water,” he said.
Cormier said his thoughts raced around to a number of things while he tried to stay alert during the lonely day in the woods. He knew he was in trouble, and he was clinging onto the hope that somebody would find him. Growing weary despite the fact he had been keeping himself fit for all these years, he admitted to being a little on the worried side when he realized a pack of coyotes had paid him a visit while his body soaked up the water underneath him.
“That was the most scary part of it all,” he said.
Life is precious
Today he certainly appreciates life more than ever, and his advice to the world is to live each day to the fullest because life is precious.
“You have to live day by day because you never know when an accident like that is going to happen to you,’ he said. “I was just lucky that I was in good shape that I could handle 17 hours in the cold water.”
Life for Cormier is a far cry from what he envisioned, but he is coping well considering the challenges that come with being an amputee. He went to Fredericton earlier this week to pick up the third artificial leg since the accident, and he’s hoping that this one won’t cause him any grief like the previous two. He was having a lot of discomfort from blisters forming, and he won’t be able to work until he can be fitted with one that provides him with more mobility and comfort.
He’s found it very challenging to adjust to his new life, but he isn’t about to sit around and let it eat him up. He is OK and that’s all that matters.
Of course, being recognized for his accolades on the ice with a special ceremony has put a smile on his face and he’s honoured the team wants to retire his jersey.
“It’s good, I wasn’t expecting it, but I am so happy to be able to go to Corner Brook to see the people again,” he said. “People haven’t seen me since I lost my leg, so it’s going to be fun to see all those guys again.”
Cormier looks back on his time with the Royals as some of the best times in his life. He said the highlight of his days with the Royals was winning the Allan Cup and the wonderful celebration that followed with thousands of fans lining the Trans-Canada Highway as a motorcade made its way from the Stephenville Airport to Humber Gardens. The Royals were the toast of the city and the players soaked it up like a sponge because they knew they had accomplished something great.
It would prove to be a moment in time that would leave him with many fond memories and lasting friendships.
“I can’t wait to go back. It will be a lot of fun,” he said.