BY BROCK ORMOND

inquinte.ca

A Quinte-area military veteran is getting a new lease on life thanks to the local Ontario Junior Hockey League team and support from fellow military vets.

Former Navy veteran Ryan Isbister, 42, spent 20 years representing his country in the military and was deployed in various places across Canada, including Victoria, British Columbia, Halifax, Nova Scotia, London, ON and Quinte West/Trenton.

Isbister started his career in the Navy as a TASOP (Tactical Acoustic Sensors Operator), working in underwater warfare.

"It was quite an interesting and great career. I got to see the world," he said.

After that, he switched to become clerk and learned about finance, administration and human resources, which is also something he said he "took a lot of passion in."

Isbister was medically released from the military in 2016 and admitted that he had a difficult time transitioning back to civilian life, because he was so used to the routine of the military. He said he tried many different hobbies since he was released, but none of them ever stuck with him.

 “It was kind of a scary road. I lost a family, with that being the military itself and a way of life. I had no idea what I wanted to do with myself,” he said.

He told InQuinte that he knew he needed some help to find his way again and found it in the form of a Canadian charity that offers mental health support to those that have left or been discharged from the military.

In October 2018, Isbister said he was recommended by a friend to look into the Veterans Transition Network (VTN), which provides courses to help people who have left or been discharged by the military transition back to their regular lives.

He explained that the Veterans Transition Network, run largely by former military members, offer courses and programs to both male and female veterans that help them work through issues such as PTSD, severe anxiety, stress, depression and other difficult circumstances.

It was there that he met a fellow veteran named James Cawley, who mentioned that he played hockey to help him cope with anxiety and depression stemming from his time in military service.

"The way he described playing hockey was, it's a very happy moment. It's a time on the ice where he doesn't think about his mental illness, or his stresses," Isbister explained.

"I wanted a piece of it. I wanted something like that to kind of get me going."

Isbister had previously never played hockey at a competitive level, only skating in a few scrimmage games with the military, but expressed his desire to Cawley that he was willing to try the sport out.

After completing his VTN course, Isbister got the opportunity from Cawley to join a team of military veterans and first responders who will play against a crew of ex-Toronto Maple Leafs in the Highway of Heroes game at the Leon's Centre in Kingston Nov. 2.

"It's a bunch of us veterans and first responders getting together to basically raise awareness for mental health issues, with the support of sponsors," Isbister explained.

"To have that opportunity is great, but how do I get there to play against that type of caliber? That's where the OJHL’s Trenton Golden Hawks have stepped up."

He managed to get into contact with the Golden Hawks, a team he had rooted for as a season ticket holder for the last couple of seasons and spoke to Director of Hockey Operations John McDonald to see if he could talk to the junior hockey club's goaltenders.

Isbister was able to get touch with Anand Oberoi, Trenton's starting goalie for the past two seasons, who came in last summer and gave him some tips on how to prepare for the position during the course.

By Dec. 18, 2018, he suited up as a practice goalie and hit the ice for the first time with the Golden Hawks at the Duncan McDonald Memorial Gardens.

Isbister described the experience of training with the team as a "culture shock," but he was willing to learn as he carried on.

"I was a defenceman when I played six games with the military. It really wasn't a fast pace like a Junior A level," he explained.

"The first couple of practices were a little rough for me. I could barely skate, to be honest with you," Isbister said with a laugh. "But, I did it and I got so much motivation from the players and staff during the 2018-19 season...they kept giving me new skills and elevated me to a different level every time I practiced with them.

Isbister emphasized how important the Golden Hawks organization's decision to take him in and give him the opportunity to be an integral part of their team was, along with encouraging him to push on when times did get tough.

"It was one of those things I didn't want to give up on," he said.

“I was sore, I was achy. But, I didn’t think about my depression, PTSD, anxiety, or past traumas. I know I’m not the best hockey player right now, but it was an opportunity of a lifetime to skate with players from the OJHL or specifically the Trenton Golden Hawks.”

"This journey I've been on with the organization, especially the players, has given me a new way of life. I'm closer to my wife Nikki, I'm closer to my kids. I'm just happy and grateful for what this organization has done for me." 

Isbister shone a specific spotlight on goalies from recent seasons, Ben Allard-Robitaille (now playing in the United States) and Oliver Troop, and gave them a large bit of credit for taking the time out of their busy schedules to assist and encourage him.

He singled out Oberoi in particular for essentially taking him in as his personal understudy.

"The one thing that is unique about Obi (Oberoi) is that he's very encouraging. He likes to see me strive to the next level," Isbister pointed out.

Thanks to the Golden Hawks taking a chance on him and his improvements in net as a result of the work that he has put in on the ice with the team, he has made huge strides in his life He also said he's learned a lot about being kinder to himself in learning something new, as well as life in general since his retirement from the military.

Getting involved in hockey as a whole and hearing from veterans about their past experiences with the sport and other hobbies is something he views as a "great thing" to have something to strive for.

"It's not about winning or losing, it's about fighting for something. That's just to make sure that my mental illness doesn't win over me," he noted.

"Not every day is a good day. I still have my bad days. My wife and other people see them. But, they're starting to get better

However, Isbister admitted that he won't be able to play hockey forever, due to his age and the fact that he is still suffering from a sore body from his military service.

In order to keep on a positive path following the Highway of Heroes game, he said he still wants to stay involved in the sport in some way, either by coaching or another avenue.

When asked for a message of encouragement to fellow vets that may be struggling with leaving their military lives behind, Isbister said one of the most important things you can do to keep themselves busy and motivated with a hobby or an interest like he did.

"It doesn't have to be hockey. I know a lot of veterans who are into model trains, other sports, as well as veterans who have participated in the Invictus Games and the Warrior Games."

"There's so many veteran entrepreneurs out there that are keeping themselves busy doing something. It's important to try and stay busy with something that is rewarding for you."

For more information on the Highway of Heroes Game, including where to find tickets, visit the Leon's Centre website.

Story courtesy inquinte.ca

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