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KIJHL team retires jersey of Salmon Arm player killed in accident

Brendan Burge came from Salmon Arm to play forward with the Columbia Valley Rockies
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By Amanda Nason

A Salmon Arm hockey player is being honoured and remembered by his former team.

The #27 jersey has been retired from The Columbia Valley Rockies to honour former player Brendan Burge, who wore the jersey #27 in season 2012/13.

Brendan came from his home town of Salmon Arm to play forward with the Rockies in his last season of junior hockey at the age of 20. He had a great season, and was the top scoring player in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League that year. His stats were 44GP, 36G and 42A for a total of 78 PTS during his season as a Rockies player.

The next season he went on to play semi senior pro hockey in Germany. But Brendan stopped his hockey career to live in Kelowna B.C. to work and be a dad to his daughter Bodene.

On March 17, 2017, Brendan passed away as a result of a tragic accident.

A trust fund has been set up in Brendan’s memory for his daughter Bodene. If you would like to make a donation to this trust fund you can do so by making cheques payable to “In Trust for Bodene Rogal Burge” or by emailing cvrockies@live.ca for more information.

The Columbia Valley Rockies club held a cheque presentation on the ice during the November 24th Brendan Burge Memorial Game. Also included in the donation was the club’s portion of the 50/50 from that night’s game.

The cheque was presented to Brendan’s sister Brittany. Also taking part in the memorial game was Brody Burge - Brendan’s brother who was the lineman for the game.

Three former Rockies players who played with Brendan were also in attendance: Damon Raven, Jerome Thorne, and Bruce Corrigal, along with over 300 hockey fans.

Brendan’s jersey will be on display at the Eddie Mountain Arena. The frame was built and donated by Wes Raven.

I leave this story with a quote Brendan had on social media after he retired his hockey stick:

“I miss the feel of the puck and the breeze as you skate, I miss the sound of the crowd and my stupid roommate. The list could go on and on but nothing will replace the way that every problem, every issue that was going on in a guy’s mind just disappeared as soon as you stepped on the ice. Even if it meant for just two hours, you had not a worry in the world.”