Third year player Brendan Groat has been forced to put his basketball dreams aside and to end his comeback attempt with the Dinos this season. Suffering from severe knee pain throughout the last two campaigns, Brendan was still hobbled as he tried to participate in early season practices with the team this fall.

Upon receiving the news of this decision, Coach Dan Vanhooren spoke of Brendan’s dedication to the team and of his courage in battling with the knee injuries over the past two years. “Brendan was so determined to play this year, but the knee pain is just too much to deal with on a daily basis. Brendan was unable to play even close to his old form.” The 6′5″ Groat was a blue chip recruit back in 2003 after leading his Lloydminster Barons High School team to two impressive seasons while playing for his father, Tom Groat. Brendan was a member of the 2003-04 Canada West Championship team which
eventually lost out in the National Semi-Final that season.

While maintaining an honours average academically, Brendan supported the team through every practice last season despite being unable to play. He has been an inspiration to the players and coaches on the Dinos as he has battled to get back to the court. The coaching staff is hopeful that Brendan will remain a part of the team, perhaps assisting in coaching.

Brendan’s quickness, strength, and character will be hard to replace, and his on court leadership will have to be picked up by some of the remaining senior players. We are disappointed for Brendan as his Dinos playing career is foreshortened, but we are proud to have had him as part of our program.