LETHBRIDGE – The University of Lethbridge Pronghorns men's hockey program will pay tribute to former captain Brock Hirsche by retiring his iconic No. 10 jersey, the first ever lifted to the rafters of Nicholas Sheran Arena.

This past spring, the Pronghorn family lost one of its own with the passing of Hirsche following a valiant fight against cancer. On Friday, October 26, 2018, prior to puck drop of the team's home game against the University of Calgary Dinos, the team will retire Hirsche's No. 10 and unveil a banner that will hang in perpetuity at Nicholas Sheran Arena.

"Brock was a true leader, a personal friend and the kind of player any coach would want on his team," says former Pronghorns coach Greg Gatto, who recruited Brock to the program. "Brock was respected and admired by all ages, locally in Lethbridge and throughout the hockey world. It's a fitting honour that his should be the first number retired by the program."

A local minor hockey product, Hirsche returned to his hometown to join the Pronghorns for the 2013-14 season, following a Western Hockey League career with the Prince George Cougars.

Earning a reputation as a leader and true warrior both on the ice and off, Hirsche battled multiple shoulder injuries throughout his career. Despite being hampered by recurring injuries and surgeries, the respect his teammates had for Hirsche was evident when he was named the team captain at the start of the 2015-16 season, his third-and-final year with the Pronghorns.

Hirsche was diagnosed with testicular cancer in January of that season and went through a successful treatment regimen. Unfortunately, cancer returned in 2017.

In a testament to his team-first mentality, Hirsche personally established a scholarship fund in his name prior to his death. Once established, the fund gained immediate attention, a measure of the impact that Hirsche had on the people he touched throughout his life. Former teammate and Stanley Cup champion Brett Connolly led a fundraising effort in Prince George over the summer and through generous community contributions, the scholarship has now raised more than $103,000.

The Brock Hirsche Pronghorn Hockey Award will annually support a Pronghorns men's hockey player who exemplifies everything Brock stood for as a leader on his team and in his community, and as a promoter of men's health issues.

Former teammate and longtime friend Dylan Tait reflected on Brock's lasting impact - "Brock was a selfless and inspirational individual throughout his life. His compassion, kindness, and work ethic made him the obvious choice for leadership roles in sport, academics, and in social circles. He was such an easy guy to follow. It was not surprising that his benevolent personality came through even during some of the most difficult moments in his life. It seemed that no matter what or how he was feeling, he was more concerned with how his situation was affecting those around him than his personal well-being. Brock was truly a model citizen, teammate, friend, and family member, and he is deeply missed."

Individuals wishing to pay tribute to Brock and support of the Brock Hirsche Pronghorn Hockey Award can do so at gohorns.ca/for-brock.