One of the newest players added to the Collingwood Blues roster comes from generations of hockey players who netted their goals to the cheers of the home crowd at Eddie Bush Memorial Arena downtown.
Marcus Lougheed is the lone Collingwood resident currently playing for the Collingwood Blues Jr. ‘A’ team.
He was called up in November after starting the season with the Stayner Siskins Junior C team. Lougheed, who plays left wing, laced up for his first Blues game on Nov. 5 against Markham.
“It’s been a challenge for sure, but it’s something that will really help me,” said the Mountain View Elementary School grad. “For one of the first times in my life, I’m not one of the top players on the team. I have to work much harder to score and earn my playing time.”
The 16-year-old is the youngest player on the team and is working hard to earn his first goal for the Blues.
“I’m experiencing a lot, and I have a lot to prove,” he said. “You have to show that being young isn’t an excuse.”
He’s grateful to his teammates who have helped him and taught him more about playing Junior A hockey.
Lougheed started playing hockey in Collingwood at four years old in the Chips program. He played until his first year of PeeWee (12 years old) and then went to Grey Bruce where he made a Triple A team. COVID hit during his minor midget year and then he started with the Siskins.
He knew he wanted to play competitive hockey as soon as he made the Triple A team.
“I like the team aspect of it, and I like being competitive with a whole team, it makes it more fun,” said Lougheed.
When he was called up to the Blues, it was an unexpected, but very happy moment.
“I never imagined getting the chance to play Junior ‘A’ Hockey in my own town,” said the Collingwood Collegiate Institute student.
Lougheed comes from a line of hockey players. His great-grandfather Rob Sandell played for the Shipbuilders and was credited with scoring the first goal in what is now the Eddie Bush Memorial Arena.
Lougheed’s grandfather played for the original Collingwood Blues.
“We’ve always been a hockey family,” said Lougheed. “My dad was my coach my whole life, and my mom is a total hockey mom who loves being at the rink. Having parents that love it as much as you makes it really easy.”
In addition to being a competitive player, Lougheed is also a local hockey fan. He was in the stands for the final Collingwood Blues before the original team folded in 2010.
“It’s been a surreal feeling to play hockey in my hometown,” said Lougheed. “In the first year I went to Collingwood Colts (now Blues) games and thought it was so wild to have this calibre of hockey player in my hometown and now to be one of them is really cool.”
“Kids are asking me for autographs. I never expected that to happen,” he said.
Lougheed is glad to have the exposure of playing on a Junior A team, which he said is a good way to get to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
“I definitely want to play professional hockey,” said Lougheed.
Lougheed wears number 67 for the Collingwood Blues. The next Blues home game is Jan. 7 at the Eddie Bush Memorial Arena vs. Pickering.
