PRINCE GEORGE BC – It was a career season for Prince George product Corey Cunningham. Cunningham finished the 2019/20 campaign with 26 goals and 18 assists, good for 44 points in 53 games. We caught up with Corey to reflect on this past season and much more in third edition of Spruce Kings Q & A!
Cole Waldie: Corey, Happy Belated 19th Birthday! How did the celebration end up going?
Corey Cunningham: My 19th birthday was amazing. It started with a text from my girlfriend in the morning that said, “I’m coming over soon!” and I took my time laying down in bed because she lives 20 minutes from my place. Next thing you know, literally three minutes later, she is surprising me with my mom in the room. And then my Mom decorated the front lawn and people were driving by saying Happy Birthday to me.
Cole Waldie: What has this whole self-isolation process been like for you here in Prince George?
Corey Cunningham: Isolation in Prince George isn’t bad! I have gone to a few social distant gatherings and have gotten to enjoy my friends’ company. In my basement, I have a makeshift home gym and it is great. I like to pick a home workout online and work with what I got, and it has been going well.
Cole Waldie: I know you are a big fisherman, have you gone as of late, and if so, where and have you caught any good ones that you can remember?
Corey Cunningham: Some of you guys probably know that I love fishing. I haven’t been out recently just because the ice is too thin to ice fish and there is still ice on the lake so you can’t really put a boat on it. But as soon the ice is off which could be this weekend, I will probably head out to the Hart lake and hopefully slay some big Rainbow Trout!
Cole Waldie: Looking back at the 2019-20 season, which was a career year for yourself, what went so well for Corey Cunningham?
Corey Cunningham: This past season, I felt like a leader. I really put the pressure on myself to show that I would do anything for the team and that I could be a guy that coach uses as an example for my teammates. I think I had a lot of puck luck but deserved everything I worked for. With that being said, I have to give Nolan Welsh and Preston Brodziak the credit they deserve. I got to play with our team captain and assistant captain and they really pushed me to be my best every game. I will really miss those two guys.
PHOTO – Garrett James
Cole Waldie: Year four is up next for you in Spruce Kings colours. What have you liked about your game as the years have progressed?
Corey Cunningham: I’m going into my fourth season with the Kings, and I’m happy to say that each year, it feels like my role is improving and I am put into different scenarios that I haven’t been in before. I like that I have learned to embrace the challenge and do whatever I have to do to help our team.
Cole Waldie: There will be many returning faces for the 2020-21 season, what are you looking forward to the most about next season?
PHOTO – Vicki Brown
Corey Cunningham: I look forward to seeing my teammates, hopefully at camp but if not, as soon as I can. Being around the guys is amazing and great memories are made. But being quarantined makes me as well as all the other players much more grateful for each other and makes us dream about playing on that ice sheet in front of a packed RMCA crowd.
Cole Waldie: Lastly, the one year anniversary of the Doyle Cup Championship has come and gone. It was also your 18th birthday when that happened. How amazing was that whole experience?
Corey Cunningham: My 18th birthday could not have gone any better. We won the Doyle Cup on home ice in front of a packed RMCA. I got home, I had steak and lobster and my girlfriend surprised me with a bunch of presents and a picture of me jumping into the glass where she was sitting after a goal I had scored.
PHOTO- PrinceGeorgeMatters
