Confidence can carry you a long way in hockey.
That鈥檚 something Battlefords North Stars forward Reed Delainey has been focused on ever since he moved up to the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League four years ago.
鈥淎 lot of it comes from understanding the game at a Junior A level,鈥� Delainey said. 鈥淲hen I came up at 17 years of age, there was a massive difference from what things were like when I played Midget AA for the Midwest Red Wings.
鈥淚鈥檝e worked a ton on my mental game with the coaches that I鈥檝e had here for the last couple of years. Braeden (Johnson), Kevin (Hasselberg) and now Nate (Bedford) have all played a huge part in helping me to improve that part of my game.鈥�
Heading into this weekend鈥檚 road games against the Flin Flon Bombers, Delainey has hit the ground running in his final SJHL season.
The Edam native has six goals and six assists in nine games and leads the North Stars in scoring with 12 points.
鈥淚鈥檝e been playing well in every game, so I鈥檓 happy about that,鈥� Delainey said. 鈥淚鈥檝e been lucky enough lately to have some pucks going into the net, but if those chances aren鈥檛 coming I鈥檓 ready to work hard on every shift.鈥�
鈥淓very time Reed鈥檚 on the ice he鈥檚 been a threat to score,鈥� North Stars general manager and head coach Nate Bedford said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 a well-rounded player. He wants to be on the ice all the time and he鈥檚 more than willing to block shots to help the team out that way.鈥�
Delainey鈥檚 strong start has also been helped by great chemistry with his linemates Layne Young and Connor Logan.
鈥淢e and Layne have grown up playing minor hockey together,鈥� Delainey said. 鈥淲e grew up pretty close together, so we played on a number of teams, and we were linemates when we played on the Red Wings.
鈥淐onnor鈥檚 a hard-working player with a lot of skill and he reminds me a bit of Matthew Saharchuk when he was on our team a couple of years ago. Connor plays his own style of game though, and he鈥檚 been a perfect fit for our line.鈥�
Delainey, who stands 6鈥�1鈥� and weighs 165 lbs., also plays a key role in the dressing room, as he鈥檚 one of four returning members of the North Stars鈥� leadership department.
The centre is an assistant captain along with Connor Sych and Logan Natchtegaele, while Kendall Fransoo is the captain.
鈥淚 would say that Reed鈥檚 the most outspoken guy of the four,鈥� Bedford said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 very confident when he鈥檚 speaking to the other players on the team and I think he wants the chance to win a championship more than anyone.
鈥淚 like to talk a little bit,鈥� Delainey added. 鈥淚f I have to yell at a guy I鈥檒l do that, but if someone needs a bit of help I鈥檓 more than willing to lend a hand.鈥�
As he prepares to move up into the world of college hockey next year with the NCAA鈥檚 RIT Tigers, Delainey is determined to finish up his time with the North Stars in the best possible fashion.
鈥淚t鈥檚 my last year here so I鈥檓 not worried about putting a lot of points up,鈥� Delainey said. 鈥淚 want to do whatever it takes in order to a win a championship.鈥�
The North Stars will continue their five-game road swing Thursday when they travel to Wilcox for a date with the Notre Dame Hounds.
They will visit the Weyburn Red Wings a night later and conclude their trip with a Saturday night tilt against the Estevan Bruins.
Their next game at the Civic Centre will be Oct. 21 against the Humboldt Broncos.
