Tell us about your hometown, family and hobbies.

I was born in Edmonton, AB, and am currently living there, as I have my whole life. I am the oldest of three kids, and have a sister and a brother. My mom and dad have sacrificed a lot to give me the chance to play hockey at a high level, and have helped pushed me along every path in my young career. I enjoy anything sport or fitness related. I love to cook, I regularly make meals for my family. I am also interested in cars, old and new, although I still have tons to learn about them. 

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

I first picked up a hockey stick before I was even a year old, although it was just a plastic stick and a foam ball. My family recalls me sitting against the couch shooting the ball at the patio door for hours at a time. I started skating at 3 years old and was playing Timbits hockey at 4. Before you could blink, I became obsessed with the game. 

My favorite memory from my younger hockey days would be around the time when the World Junior Championships came to Edmonton and Red Deer in 2012. There was a small tournament hosted for kids at Terwillegar Rec Center. I played for Team Switzerland and had an absolute blast. I cannot recall if I did well or if we won any games, but it was an incredible experience for young hockey players. 

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

My favorite NHL player has to be Connor McDavid, as he is electrifying and undeniably the best player in the world. He displays outstanding leadership ability on and off the ice, and from the story of his knee rehab to his unanimous voting results for the Hart Trophy, he has proven to be one of the hardest workers in the league as well. The guy has it all. 

A player I would model my game after is a guy like Michigan Wolverine and NHL top prospect, Owen Power. Big body, good shot, and his puck-moving ability are tremendous assets. He’s a defenceman with a lot of skill and even more potential. From watching video on Owen, I know he will be a powerhouse in the near future. An NHL’er that I could compare myself to is Erik Karlsson, because I like to be the man starting the rush from the D-zone and making the first pass to confidently exit the zone.  

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

I played for CAC U18 AAA in 2020 and will return for another year with the squad in 2021 if I do not crack a Junior roster. 

My favorite part of the season came after the league got shut down, we had a chance to practice in small groups within the team and I got to know some of my teammates a lot better and build deeper connections with them. This was a chance we didn’t get in the hectic shortened season. 

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

The biggest goal in my career right now is working towards a full academic scholarship. Studying my absolute hardest to present impressive marks to schools around the states. Scoring high on the SAT is a big priority for the summer. I also would like to be a leader on whatever team I play for, not only on the stat sheet but also in the room and on the bench, having the backs of my teammates at every step of the way. I need to achieve these goals to play hockey at the University level and also give myself a chance to get ahead in life by not accumulating overwhelming student debt. 

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

School is at the very top of my priorities because without it, I will lose the chance to chase my dreams. I’m not the biggest fan of school like most kids but I do know what it takes to get to University and am willing to put in all the work necessary to succeed. I sacrificed tremendous amounts of time this year to finishing homework and making sure I studied the content given well enough to score high on exams. As for post-secondary schooling, depending on the learning path you take, it can set you up for life. I am interested in pursuing a kinesiology degree once I make it to University. 

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

It would be the opportunity of a lifetime that anyone would be overjoyed to receive, and I definitely wouldn’t take it for granted. But for me, it would just be another goal I’ve completed in my career. Although I can be proud of myself for completing goals I can’t ever be satisfied and to be the best you have to continue to keep your eyes forward, focus on the next goal, and outwork everyone around you. There is always room to improve.

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

As a person I am always a positive spirit, I think most people would like to be around me, I bring people together. I try to be genuinely kind to everyone I get to be with and especially new people I have the chance to meet. As a player, my discipline sets me apart from players who play the same style as me, and I like to agitate other players and use mental games, but am crafty at avoiding penalty minutes in the process. Usually, it results in the opponent being penalized. 

I continue to get better by perfecting my craft on my own time, by putting more time in than my competitors. Shooting pucks in my basement throughout the pandemic, and getting workouts in every opportunity I get. Spending my summers in the gym every weekday and continuing to improve my puck skills and shot on the off time. Spending time thinking about my future, or dwelling on the goals I’ve set for myself, and how I can achieve them is a regular practice. 

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

One of the biggest things I’m looking forward to doing with the community in the future is creating or partnering with a Down Syndrome charity/corporation that directly deals with disabled children. I would love to be able to lead a team that gives the kids an opportunity to play sports or be majorly involved with sports teams. Down Syndrome holds a special place in my life due to one of my best friends having the disorder. He is such a pleasure to be around and a light to the world. I would love to one day be able to give back to him the joy he has brought me. 

As for within the sport of hockey, all I hope is that I continue to get to be around amazing ladies and gentlemen that make the sport the greatest in the world. I hope to build brotherhoods with my teammates and battle alongside them on the ice. I hope to experience the greatest journey I could ever imagine while chasing my dreams to lift that silver cup one day. I will always have fun while playing hockey I hope I can play for as long as I live