The End Of The Backhus Era

THE END OF THE BACKHUS ERA

The time has come for local legend, Garry Backhus to hang up the stick for the Canberra Chill.

Garry made his debut for the lakers in 2007 and went on to represent the Lakers 81 times. The league then changed to what it is known today as the Hockey One League where he debuted in 2019 as the second ever Canberra Chill player. Since 2019 Garry has represented the Canberra Chill 24 times with more to come in the finals series this weekend in Hobart. In total Garry has represented the Lakers/Chill 105 times with 2 more games to go.

To play 105 games in the national league is an incredible achievement but to do it within one franchise is rare. Garry cracked his 100^th cap against the Perth Thundersticks in Round 1 of the 2024 Liberty Hockey One League with a tight 4-3 victory. He has gone on to play in every match so far this season, slotting in a penalty corner goal against the Adelaide Fire in Round 2 at the National Hockey Centre.

From a rocky 2023 season where the Canberra Chill men finished in last place, to this year where the group have secured top position and the Minor Premiership for the first time in 52 years. This is something special and it goes to show commitment, hard work and trust is an integral part of a successful team. This achievement is not taken lightly by the Chill men or the within the Chill franchise and will forever hold a special place for a franchise that is often written off or seen as the underdogs.

Not only has Garry contributed on the pitch with his skills on the ball, communication on the field and from the sideline. Garry is also an integral member of the Hockey ACT/Canberra Chill staff in which he prepares the facilities for the home matches. This is a huge task and takes months of preparation and many hours during the week to get everything set up and running smoothly. On game day, you can find him out at the Hockey Centre early assisting his colleagues and prepping the venue before turning his focus to the match.

It’s not often you will find the players of a franchise giving their time the morning of a game day to prepare their home matches and Garry does it without even a second thought. Garry is someone who will give his all and it shows with his experience through out his National League Career, whether its playing on game day, setting up the venue, supporting his team on the sideline or pushing his teammates at training to be the best they can be.

Representing a franchise for so long is a very big commitment and through the support of his incredible family and friends, Garry has had the opportunity to be part of something special.

The men head to Hobart this Thursday afternoon and will take on the Brisbane Blaze at 11:00am Saturday November 30 in their semi final. A win in the semi will lock the men into the gold medal match on Sunday at 3:30pm.