If you love something, let it go. If it comes back to you, it’s yours forever. If it doesn’t then it was never meant to be.

After winning the Fred Page Cup last season, the Penticton Vees let star forward Denver Manderson head east to the Ontario Hockey League. But almost as quickly as he left for his home province, he was back.

For Manderson, it had quickly become clear that while he may have left Penticton for Kitchener in the physical sense, his heart remained in the Okanagan. But wasn’t always that way for the native of Fergus, Ontario.

Growing up, his life was consumed by hockey and he idolized many of the players from the OHL’s Guelph Storm.

“Dustin Brown and Daniel Paille were two guys I loved to watch play when I was younger,” he says.

But as he grew older, Manderson developed a well-documented up-and-down relationship with Ontario’s Major Junior outfit. It all began with the 2005 Bantam Draft, which he considers a turning point in the hockey career. He was drafted in the 5^th round, 95^th overall by the very team that he had followed as a child.

“I was actually ranked higher than where I was drafted,” says Manderson. “I dropped down a lot after a rumour started that I was going to the NCAA.”

Truth was, Denver had been considering a jump to college but after being drafted by his hometown team he changed his mind. It was a decision that he’d ultimately regret.

The 2006/07 OHL season was going to be a huge step for Manderson. He was looking forward to donning the same jersey that he had watched his heroes wear as a child. He would get to skate on the very same sheet of ice and hear the roar of the fans at the Sleeman Centre. His hot-cold relationship with the OHL was once again simmering with excitement. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t last long.

That season’s edition of the Storm was poised to make a deep run at the playoffs and felt having too many 17-year olds on their squad could pose a problem. Thus, Denver was deemed expendable.

“They took me into their office and explained that they were going to have to let me go,” Manderson says. “I could tell they felt really bad about releasing me because they knew I had considered going to the NCAA.”

Following Denver’s release, six other teams expressed an interest in picking him up but he eventually settled on the Kitchener Rangers. However, it was more of the same that he’d encountered in Guelph. He was relegated to the fourth line and received little playing time. He ended up suiting up for just 10 games and didn’t register a single point. Manderson’s career was once again at a crossroads following a rollercoaster season. He had choices, though. He could return to the OHL and continue on an uncertain path or he could attempt to play elsewhere. Thankfully for the Vees and their fans, he chose to come to Penticton.

“I wanted to be able to play the highest level possible and get playing time,” said Denver. “I wasn’t getting that in the OHL and it’s every Eastern boy’s dream to come out West. The BCHL seemed like the right fit for me.”

One might consider the phrase “right fit” to be a huge understatement. Denver exploded for 52 points in just 31 games before a shoulder injury cut his regular season short. But he returned in time for what was a memorable playoff run and helped the Vees win their first Fred Page Cup Championship in 22 years.

“It was an absolute thrill,” said Manderson. “We had such a good group of guys and it was really cool to win it all.”

Denver was a significant offensive contributor in the playoffs, notching 19 points in 15 games.

Following his exceptional year in the BCHL, Kitchener’s interest in Denver piqued again. Unable to play NCAA hockey, he figured that the OHL would pose the best test for his game and after much debate he decided to give the Rangers another chance.

“I was told that they had a new coach and that he was high on me,” said Denver.

Manderson arrived in Kitchener but says the whole situation just didn’t feel right. His intuition proved to be accurate in the first game of the regular season.

At the Rangers home opener on September 19th, Denver’s career once again took a dramatic turn. Kitchener was nearing the end of a power play and Denver was on the left wing boards just above the faceoff circle. He received a pass, turned and was leveled from behind by Plymouth’s Mike Yovanic, sustaining a concussion.

Yovanic wasn’t suspended for the incident, a fact that outraged many fans, hockey pundits and the guy on the receiving end of the blow. The vicious hit seemed to change Denver’s approach to his hockey future. Following the concussion, he decided he wanted to return to the Vees.

“I’m more suited to the free-wheeling and offensive style of play in the BCHL,” said Manderson.

The Vees, quite frankly, were thrilled with the news that one of their brightest stars was back.

“Manderson's return has probably changed the philosophy of the team's brass this season,” said team play-by-play voice Ryan Pinder. “Before his arrival the club was likely viewing this season as a year to gain experience and mature.”

“Denver's arrival means the Vees can legitimately contend this season and has led them to make moves that will help the team this year (like trading for Brodie Reid and Jordan White). With the top eight scoring forwards leaving from last year's championship club, the team was going to struggle to score goals and was going to count on newcomers to produce. That load was lightened by Denver’s return.”

One sure sign that Manderson is highly regarded was his involvement at the recent World Junior A Challenge, which took place in Camrose, Alta. He was a key member of the silver medal winning Canada West team, scoring five points in four games. Denver took a leadership role with the squad and called it a good experience.

After returning from the WJAC, yet another accolade was bestowed on Denver as he was named a co-captain.

“It’s always an honour to get a letter on your sweater,” said Manderson. “It feels good getting to represent a great organization like the Vees.”

Clearly, Manderson has found his niche. He’s one of the league’s top players and Pinder feels his presence is crucial to the Vees’ short- and long-term success.

“He’s likely the most respected player in the locker room, unquestionably so for those who watched him play through pain last season,” he says. “Also, on a team with nine players playing at this level for the first time he sets the bar for maturity well beyond his 19 years. And frankly, it didn't look right when Manderson didn't have the 'C' on his jersey this year.”

As for this current season, Denver is once again lighting up the BCHL. He’s tallied 32 points through just 17 games and he was an easy call for the Interior Conference squad at the 2009 All-Star Game. The Vees are currently in fourth place in the Interior Conference, but Manderson seems to think they’re on the right track.

“We’ve got two really good goalies and our defence is strong,” said Manderson. “I definitely think we’re going in the right direction.”

After a long and arduous journey, it seems as though Denver Manderson has finally found his hockey home. And while the Vees know that he might not be theirs forever, they surely won’t let him go again.