The Rise, the Fall and the Return of Andy Cline
... Do I really need to put anything here?

Garrett Skinn; WinghamIronmen.com Staff
(Note: the views expressed are those of the writer and do not reflect to the Wingham Ironmen or its management, players and coaches...)




Rookie of the Year. Breakout star of the Wingham Ironmen.
"Andy Cline, worth the price of admission!" Ian Schwartz (former Hanover Baron).

In his rookie season with the Ironmen, Cliner picked up the league's rookie of the year as well as the Ironmen rookie of the year award. He was near the top of the league in points. A small skinny kid from Teeswater was the talk of the league.

The next season, playing with Chris Corbett, Cliner returned to his play maker persona and again he was near the top. He wasn't a one hit wonder. He was for real.

Last season, things changed.
Something was different about Andy.
He had a different attitude. A different look in his eye. I don't know the whole story, and I wont go in to rumors or crap like that. Not my style.

Andy was in a battle with himself. He missed a few games and was almost let go from the Ironmen.
He returned to the lineup, but it wasn't the same Andrew Cline from previous years... He wasn't smiling...

Enter the 2008/2009 season.
A new coach. A new team. A new Cline?

During the off season, I talked to Andy a few times.
He was ready for it.

Gerry gave the over-ages their chance, made them earn their keep.
When Andy BIKED from Teeswater to Wingham for the first try-out, I knew something was different.
When he hit the ice, he looked like the old Andy Cline. Grinning from ear to ear.

Lucky Number 13 was back.

Now, with a different team and a new boss behind the bench... How would Andy respond?

The start, it was a bit slow.

But Andy, he's a different kind of kid.

Its crunch time for the Ironmen.
They need to win.
Guess who leading the team?
Andy's name can be found at the top of that list.
Other key players like deVos, Turton and Higgy have picked their games up as well.

But this is about Andy, not them.

I have seen players come and go from this team over the past 15 years.

I thought Andy was gone.
But he's back.
Everyone deserves a second chance, and he is proving all of those who doubted him wrong.
Including me.



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