PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — It couldn't have ended better for Alec Hagaman.
One of the Peoria Rivermen's most popular players scored five goals in the final two games to lead his team to the Presidents Cup championship on Sunday night. He scored the first and fourth goals in Peoria's 5-1 victory in Game 3 of the SPHL Championship Series against Huntsville.
Hagaman, the Rivermen's first Peoria-born captain, announced his retirement last spring after the Rivermen were eliminated in the SPHL semifinals. However, he had second thoughts and came out of retirement to play one more season with his hometown team.
“It's surreal. All the sacrifices my wife, my family, everyone has made for me in my life. To be able to do this at home. Words can't express how grateful I am,” Hagaman said. said.
There he was skating the Presidents Cup trophy around Carver Arena on Sunday, moments after being named series MVP. And just after the franchise won its fifth league championship in its 40-year history.
“We are now eternal champions. I hope our name will be remembered for a long time,” Hagaman said. “It's unbelievable and something I'll never forget. Thank you to all the fans, you are amazing.”
Hagaman was one of three Peoria natives on the team that won the Rivermen their second SPHL title in three years. Mitch McPherson and Tristan Trudel, who also scored in the series, were the others.
Like Hagaman, McPherson also came out of retirement and returned to the Rivermen for this championship season. Trudel just finished his rookie season.
All three are products of Peoria Youth Hockey. Rivermen coach Tristan's father, Gene Guy Trudel, has invested significant time and energy into the Peoria Youth Hockey Association to grow the game of hockey and develop players in central Illinois.
“I think this is indicative of how our youth system operates. Guy does so much in our youth system. Guy does so much for our kids. I teach,” McPherson said. “There's going to be a lot more (players from Peoria). Me and Barbara are just the beginning. I think we're going to see a lot more kids coming here. It's amazing.”
