By Aaron Mahoney (@Mahones93 on Twitter)

Brock Hirsche’s number 10 to be officially retired by Lethbridge Pronghorns

Oct 22, 2018 | 1:36 PM

LETHBRIDGE – When someone makes such a profound impact both on and off the ice, it’s usually only a matter of time before they have their accomplishments recognized.

For Brock Hirsche, the former captain of the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns men’s hockey team who passed away this past spring, that’s already been done but on Friday, Oct. 26, the program will offer a different kind of recognition.

The team will retire Hirsche’s iconic No. 10 jersey prior to puck drop of the team’s home game against the University of Calgary Dinos, the first number ever lifted to the rafters of Nicholas Sheran Arena.

A banner will also be unveiled that will hang in perpetuity at Nicholas Sheran Arena.

Former Pronghorns coach Greg Gatto, who recruited Hirsche to the program, says he was a true leader, a personal friend and the kind of player any coach would want on his team.

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“Brock was respected and admired by all ages, locally in Lethbridge and throughout the hockey world. It’s a fitting honour that his should be the first number retired by the program,” Gatto said.

A local minor hockey product, Hirsche returned to his hometown to join the Pronghorns for the 2013-14 season, following a Western Hockey League career with the Prince George Cougars.

Hirsche earned a reputation as both a leader and true warrior on the ice and off and battled multiple shoulder injuries throughout his career.

Despite being hampered by recurring injuries and surgeries, the respect his teammates had for Hirsche was evident when he was named the team captain at the start of the 2015-16 season, his third-and-final year with the Pronghorns.

Hirsche was diagnosed with testicular cancer in January of that season and went through a successful treatment regimen, but unfortunately, cancer returned in 2017.

In a testament to his team-first mentality, Hirsche personally established a scholarship fund in his name prior to his death.

Once established, the fund gained immediate attention, a measure of the impact that Hirsche had on the people he touched throughout his life.

Former teammate and Stanley Cup champion Brett Connolly led a fundraising effort in Prince George over the summer and through generous community contributions, the scholarship has now raised more than $103,000.

The Brock Hirsche Pronghorn Hockey Award will annually support a Pronghorns men’s hockey player who exemplifies everything Hirsche stood for as a leader on his team and in his community, and as a promoter of men’s health issues.

Dylan Tait, a former teammate, longtime friend and someone who was also personally affected by testicular cancer, reflected on Hirsche’s lasting impact.

“Brock was a selfless and inspirational individual throughout his life. His compassion, kindness, and work ethic made him the obvious choice for leadership roles in sport, academics, and in social circles. He was such an easy guy to follow. It was not surprising that his benevolent personality came through even during some of the most difficult moments in his life. It seemed that no matter what or how he was feeling, he was more concerned with how his situation was affecting those around him than his personal well-being,” Tait said, adding Hirsche was truly a model citizen, teammate, friend, and family member, and is deeply missed.

Before Hirsche’s passing last year, Tait and Half-Sack Sports helped raise money for the award and awareness about testicular cancer.

Anyone who wants to pay tribute to Hirsche, or support of the Brock Hirsche Pronghorn Hockey Award, can do so here.