Creative Non-Fiction Project
This is my Creative Non-Fiction Final Project as part of the Creative Non-Fiction course in the Holland College Journalism and Communications Program.
This final project is focused on this season’s (2023-24) UPEI Panthers men’s hockey team, which has six returning players and 18 new faces. In what is considered a rebuilding year with many young players, my project focuses on the contrast between the rookies and the veterans. There are two players with the biggest focuses; a player in their final year of eligibility and a player in their first year of eligibility. One is leaving after this year; another is just arriving. One is looking back and hoping to end their career on a good note (a.k.a. gain professional attention); another is looking forward and hoping to make a name for themselves (a.k.a. become a future captain). The contrast also comes into play with a video recapping the team’s first half of the season, which blew away people's expectations.
2 written pieces, 2 video pieces, 1 audio piece
Written piece #1 - UPEI Panthers hockey goalie in final year with team, hopes for chance at playing professionally
The veteran piece. Jonah Capriotti is in his fifth and final year of eligibility to play university hockey. He is a goaltender from Mount Hope, Ontario who played junior-A hockey in Ontario and college hockey in the United States in the mid-to-late 2010s. UPEI recruited him in 2021 and he has become the team’s best goalie in recent memory. He was one of many key players in UPEI’s performances at their hosting of the 2023 USPORTS University Cup, a national men’s hockey playoff tournament. This year, he’s been focused on attracting professional hockey teams, mentoring two rookie goaltenders, and taking advantage of every home game experience.
Written piece #2 - UPEI Panthers hockey rookie looking to make a name for himself
The rookie piece. Noah Sedore is in his first year of eligibility to play university hockey. He is a forward from Bobcaygeon, Ontario who played major junior hockey in Ontario for four years. UPEI recruited him this past summer and he has made an immediate impact with his high energy, quick speed, and leadership qualities. This year, he’s been focused on improving all those qualities for the university level, helping his fellow rookies grow, and building a name for himself as a potential future captain.
Video piece #1 - UPEI Panthers goalie in final year with team, hopes for chance at playing professionally
The Jonah Capriotti written piece was also built into a video as part of the Broadcast Journalism course.
Video piece #2 - UPEI Panthers men’s hockey first half recap
This video is a recap of the team’s performances during the first half of the 2023-24 Atlantic University Sport regular season. Using recordings from home games I worked at, I put voiceover over the recordings and explained how the team did, what expectations were versus what people think now, who did well, and the injury bug. There are interview clips with the head coach and two players, which are all from different games and provide different perspectives and post-game thoughts.
Audio piece #1 - UPEI Panthers hockey rookie looking to make a name for himself
The Noah Sedore written piece came from an audio story as part of the Broadcast Journalism course.