Chris Pond found himself looking up at the scoreboard several times as the South Okanagan Flames were in action against the Armstrong Shamrocks in Thompson Okanagan Junior Lacrosse League action.
It had nothing to do with being nervous about the potential outcome.
Before the home opener at Memorial Arena on Monday, the Flames junior B organization had a ceremony to recognize what Pond did for them over the last five seasons by retiring his No. 21 sweater.
“To see it up there is pretty sweet. I looked at it a few times. Really that’s mine?” he said after the Flames’ 20-13 victory. “It caught me off guard a lot. I’m still at a loss for it. It feels amazing. It just really feels good that hard work and all those five years, like it does mean something.”
The decision to raise that sweater number was heavily based on the season Pond had last year, which included breaking a Thompson Okanagan Junior Lacrosse League record with 114 points in 16 games.
“As a group we all decided what Chris Pond did for this team last year, helped make us all gel. Chris put it all together for us,” said Flames coach Kevin Thompson. “It took a whole team to elevate to him for his whole season as well. He appreciates that. He knows his team elevated him. But he took it to the next level.”
Thompson said looking back at what Pond did from when he was 15 until now, the recognition is deserved.
“He’s still giving to the team (as a trainer). He still wants to be involved with lacrosse,” added Thompson. “He’s an unbelievable guy. If you recognize that, then it gives everybody a platform to go for.”
In the five seasons with the Flames, Pond said his last was the highlight of everything.
“It was just a good way to go out. In a few years we only had two or three wins,” he said. “It’s pretty tough to keep coming back. Unfortunately the season was cut short (being eliminated early in the playoffs). It was a fun year.”
Pond said breaking the points record is also a highlight.
He’s returned to the Flames because he wants to give back and enjoys being around the players.
“Last year was such a fun year, we only lost a few guys,” said Pond. “Basically the same core.”
A big part of that core is captain Kaid MacLeod, who loved the ceremony for his friend.
MacLeod described him as the hardest worker he knows, a big team player.
MacLeod learned what it takes to be a leader from him. MacLeod watched as Pond did whatever the Flames needed from him, even it required the offensive weapon to contain opponents defensively.
“He would be the best guy on the floor at it,” said MacLeod. “He would step up in the dressing room and calm everyone down. He was always leading the team.”
Now the Flames will always be reminded of what Pond did every time they look up in Memorial Arena.