It鈥檚 hard enough to crack the roster of a Junior A team, let alone excel on one.
The junior leagues across Canada are made up of the best talent from players around the country 20 years old and under, showcasing their abilities in order to play hockey at the next level.
The SJHL has been a part of this tradition since 1968, providing a platform for top athletes to be recruited, while giving them a shot at playing in the World Junior A challenge.
Here in the Battlefords, teams from around Saskatchewan are looking up at the North Stars, who not only sit atop their division, but also the SJHL. Their first-rate play has gained recognition from around the league, opening the door for three talented players to earn a selection to the Team Canada West tryout.
Rookie Layne Young and division one prospects Connor Sych and Reed Delainey were all given the chance to don the red sweater at camp.
鈥淐oming into the year I never even thought to be selected to try out for Team Canada West, it was an honour. The talent at the camp was very high, it was fast paced and showed a lot of skill.鈥� Young said, who is now third in the SJHL in assists and in the top 20 for scoring.
For Young, it was the preparation he put in during the off-season that has directly transferred to exceeding expectations.
鈥淎fter my summer of training, I knew I was in good physical condition to make the step from AAA to the SJHL, but I never expected to be having the year I am having.鈥�
For veteran Delainey, it was his second time at the camp.
鈥淚 felt like everyone there was very close in talent. Of course there is a couple guys that stand out, but for the majority of it, everyone fit in.鈥� Delainey said. 鈥淓veryone there could skate and everyone could make plays moving at a high pace, something that is going to be harder to do at the higher levels of hockey.鈥�
The forward and assistant captain has committed to the Rochester Institute of Technology in the NCAA and says his speed and quickness has always been the reason behind his superb play.
鈥淪omething that I have always been able to do is skate and that has been a huge factor to my success at the junior level.鈥澛�
One of the top two-way defencemen in the league, Sych, echoes their sentiments and talks about his own game.
鈥淎 lot of the players were smaller but faster and more skilled than I鈥檝e ever seen. You had to respect everyone on the ice, because everyone had the potential to score.鈥� Sych continued. 鈥淗aving a good stick and good positioning is critical when defending players that are fast and skilled, so I think having a good stick is something I can definitely work to improve and is something that will help me for the rest of the season and hockey career.鈥�
The 18-year-old takes his position on the ice extremely seriously. He leads all defenceman in points, but it is what he does in his own zone that defines him as a player. He credits some of his tremendous work to the connection with his defensive partner.
鈥淢y focus is always defence first and I pride myself in making simple plays to get the forwards the puck. At this point in the season, we鈥檝e been playing with a partner for long enough that you develop chemistry. I鈥檓 lucky enough to be partners with Kendall Fransoo, who I played with last year, too.鈥� Sych said. 鈥淚 can trust him to have my back and we both know where the other is without having to see them. Kendall and I are best friends on and off the ice and having such good chemistry helps our play.鈥�
The six-foot-four, 185-pound defenceman has committed to St. Lawrence University, also a NCAA division one school. He continued to say that the reason for his offensive success was learning about goalie tendencies with North Stars goalie consultant Travis Harrington over the summer.
One of the reasons players attend the camp is to find different ways to advance themselves, using new lessons to bring back to their home team.
鈥淭he coaching staff at the camp was very professional,鈥� Young said. 鈥淭hey taught me things that I will apply to my game for the remainder of my hockey career.鈥�
Delainey聽shared his thoughts on the Canada West staff.
鈥淭hey all had a common goal, which was to win a gold medal. Something that the team hasn鈥檛 done since 2011.鈥�
As did Sych, who also compliments his own coach for the way the North Stars have played this year.
鈥淚鈥檓 sure all the coaches were just as honoured to be coaching Team Canada as the players were to have a chance to compete for a spot on Team Canada. I believe that in order to have a good team, coaching is very important, which is a very big reason why I think we have been having the season we are. Coach Hasselberg is extremely prepared and is a top-notch coach.鈥�
Although the players from the North Stars weren鈥檛 able to make the team this year, the experience they have gained will help them in upcoming seasons and as they travel to higher levels of play. Coach Kevin Hasselberg is ecstatic with the way they ran with their opportunity.
鈥淲e are extremely proud of these three. It was not an easy camp to compete in. Every player was phenomenal. All three of them were deserving of the opportunity and all of them represented the SJHL and the North Stars with class.鈥�
Now, it鈥檚 time to turn their attention to a new goal. When asked, all three of them said the same thing.
鈥淭he RBC Cup.鈥�
