Meet Kyle Schechtel
Kam River Fighting Walleye (SIJHL) 
“6’0” 176 Pounds 
2004 DOB – Forward

Tell us about your hometown, family and hobbies. 

I’ve been born and raised in Sherwood Park with my Mom and Dad as well as my younger sister.
My mom played soccer growing up and eventually got her bachelor of science at the University
of Alberta, while my dad grew up loving the game of hockey as well as countless outdoor
adventures. My sister used to dance but currently just works and attends school. Hobbies of mine
consist of golf, snowboarding, team handball, as well as spikeball, and nearly anything my
friends and I can get our hands on so we can spend time together and enjoy the outdoors and
physical activities.

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

I originally began skating around the age of 3 when I would avidly attend the outdoor rink with
my dad slowly learning how to play the game. At the age of 5 was when I first stepped foot on
the ice to participate in my first organized hockey game with my team called the fire pucks.
Early on I learned that I wanted to play this game for the rest of my life when we got the chance
to skate with the Sherwood Park Crusaders at one of the local outdoor rinks where we helped run
them through some drills. What seemed like simple community work to them was a dream come
true for a young player who idolized these guys and made me strive for the goal of becoming just
like them one day and having an active role in the community.

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

My favourite NHL player is Kailer Yamamoto as I love the tenacity he plays with and his
relentless work ethic on and off the puck. I’d say my game is much like Zach Hyman as I am a
hard working forward on both sides of the puck who has a great playmaking sense but isn’t
afraid to get into the corners and hit people.

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

I currently play for the Sherwood Park Ennis Kings at the U18 AAA level. My favourite part of
the season this year has to be the boys. Most of us have played together for up to 5 years now
and there is never a dull moment whether it’s at 7 am and still waking up for practice or on a 6
hour road trip to Grande Prairie. Everyone is always smiling and laughing knowing we are all
playing the game we love.

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

My current top goal as a student athlete is to get accepted into a university where I can get my
Bachelor of Science or a diploma/degree in Sports Management in the hopes of giving back to
other people and helping them. I’m still unsure of what field I want to be in but I would love to
still, be involved in sports and be able to give back like the people who have helped me get to
where I am today

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

School is a priority for me as most jobs today want to see that you have a post secondary
education. Getting a post secondary education won’t just help me in the future but I have the
hopes it will give me more opportunities and make me a more rounded and educated person
while pursuing the field of my choice.

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

Playing NCAA would be great as I am playing the sport I love at the same school that is enabling
me to pursue an education at a higher level so I can have a reliable job that I enjoy. Playing pro
would be a dream come true as I would be getting paid to play the game I love while traveling
the world whether I’m playing in Europe or North America.

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

I believe what separates me as not just a person but a player is my persistence. I will keep
working and grinding until I get what I want. Whether it’s my grades in the classroom or getting
to the next level on the ice. I continue to get better by going to the gym, fine tuning details of my
game, and making time to study a bit more, all in hopes to become a better person and athlete.

What impact are you looking to have in your sports careers (community, team, success, etc.) 

I’m looking to have a large community impact with my hockey career as I would love to coach
and help give back to the game that has taught me so much to younger generations. I’ve had
plenty of great coaches since I started playing and they all coached for the same reason. It wasn’t
about the money but it was because they loved the game and loved sharing their knowledge, and
I hope to do the same with not just my own kids but wherever I end up in the future having a
community impact on how the game of hockey is played and appreciated.

One fun fact about yourself. 

Banff is my favourite place on earth as I can spend as much time exploring the outdoors as I
want while staying physically active.