Tell us about your hometown, family and hobbies.

I am born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta…..Home of The Oilers! I am the youngest of four and the only boy in my family. My Dad could be considered the Oilers #1 fan and he had me watching hockey on TV by the time I was a year old. I also go to many Oiler games with him during the season. I enjoy watching all the other teams that come to town to play against the Oilers and usually use it as an opportunity to tease my Dad about his love for the Oilers. When I am not playing hockey I spend my time golfing, at the basketball court, working out, and watching NHL, NFL, and NBA games on TV with friends. My friends and I usually make up fun drafts for playoffs that, so far, I have a tendency to always win!

How did you originally begin playing hockey (what age as well) and what is your favorite memory from when you were younger?

I started skating at three years old and began playing organized hockey at the age of four. When I started playing at the Initiation level our practices and games were on half ice. At the end of that first season our team registered to play in a tournament in St. Paul. It is one of my favorite memories because the tournament games were on full ice (which I had never played) and I loved being able to skate up and down the full length of the ice. We made it to the finals and won the tournament and the game was live broadcast on the local radio station. As a four year old I thought the game of hockey was pretty great!

Who is your favorite NHL player and who do you model your game after? Why?

My favorite player is Patrick Kane. He is a very smart, patient player who sees the ice better than most and is able to make unreal plays.

What team do/did you play for? What was your favorite part from the season?

Last season I played for the SSAC U18 AAA team. It was really short due to COVID-19 restrictions that were put in place, we only played 4 games. Even though we had our ice time taken away our coaches made sure we did weekly workouts and activities on Zoom, so that we stayed connected as a team in the event that the season started up again. My favorite part about last season was the group of guys on the team which included many of my closest friends. I also got reconnected with two of the SSAC U18 AAA coaches that had coached me when I was younger.

What are your top goals as a student athlete? Why are they your top goals?

Next year is my last year of U18 hockey, and I want to continue to play at the highest level I possibly can. I am not ready to stop playing competitively and would love the chance to get a post secondary education while continuing to play.

How important is school from your perspective? Why is it that way?

School is at the top of my priority list. I know that my marks in school can determine the doors that may possibly open for me in the future. Whether those doors are being able to attend a certain college/university, or that will allow me to play the sport I love at an elite level. Prioritizing my school work has also allowed me to continuously achieve good marks and has taught me how to manage my time during the hectic hockey season.

What would it mean to you to play at the NCAA or Pro level?

Playing at that level would mean I have achieved my goals and dreams. It would also make me feel rewarded, and that all my hard effort and dedication to the sport was all worth it.

What separates you as a player or person? How do you continue to get better?

As a player and a person, coaches would find that I put forth maximum effort all the time, whether in school, hockey, or any other sport. I do not like feeling disappointed in myself, so I always try my best. I am a good student, and take my studies seriously because I know they are a stepping stone to success. As a player, I have very high hockey IQ, have very good puck handling skills, I am tough on the ice, and am very versatile in who I can play with. I have been told by many that I make other players better because of my play-making abilities. I am a team player and have always been known as a skilled, unselfish player.

In the near future I plan on continuing to become a better student, hockey player and person. I will continue to focus on my off season workouts so that I will be better, stronger and more prepared for the upcoming hockey season. With only a few weeks left in the school year, I will also be prioritizing my studies in order to maintain my high academic average.

What impact are you looking to have in your sports career? (Community, team, success, etc)

By always being my personal best, I feel that I am bettering myself and the teams I play on. The game of hockey is very giving to the community and I always look forward to the team bonding activities that enable me and my team to volunteer in the community. I believe that these two things also will provide me with a foundation to be successful in my continued studies and in the career I choose!