The latest chapter of Glenn Gawdin's promising hockey career couldn't be more convenient but there are definitely some big changes on the horizon.
After developing into a blue-chip prospect in Seafair Minor Hockey's rep program, the 15year-old is now playing for the Greater Vancouver Canadians and his timing couldn't have been better. The B.C. Major Midget Hockey club struck a deal with the City of Richmond to play all its home games andpractice out of the Olympic Oval this season.
Even being a member of the B.C. U16 team headed to the Western Canada Challenge Cup in Calgary has resulted in familiar surroundings. The team is holding a pre-tournament camp at the Olympic Oval this week before making its way east of the Rockies.
The hockey developments close to home have meant Gawdin being able to continue on at McRoberts secondary school for his Grade 10 year. However, it might be his last West Coast winter for a while.
The talented forward, who is noted for his strong play at both ends of the rink, was taken fifth overall in last spring's Western Hockey League Bantam Draft by the Swift Current Broncos. He made his way to the Saskatchewan city in August to attend training camp for what was just his second visit to the prairie province.
"I was once in Saskatoon a couple of summers ago (for a hockey camp) and it was bit of a cultural shock then," Gawdin laughed. "I actually thought the town would be smaller than it was so that was a positive thing and the camp was really well done. I learned a lot from it."
Gawdin is eligible to play for the Broncos five times this season as a call-up player and there is a good chance that could happen as early as next month when the Broncos make a swing through B.C. that includes games in Vancouver and Victoria on Dec. 7-8.
For now, it's about elevating his game as a rookie in the the BCMMHL where he is lining up regularly against many of the top 15-to-17-year-olds in the province. After a slow start, Gawdin has eight points in 10 games, thanks a pair of goals and a couple of assists in last weekend's series against the Valley West Hawks.
"It's a big difference from Bantam to Major Midget," he said. "The higher you get in hockey, the faster the game is going to get. You are also going up against older guys who are bigger and stronger.
"Swift Current have told me just to play my game. I actually think there is probably more pres-sure on you once you have been drafted. Hopefully I will be there next year."
The Broncos training camp gave Gawdin a bit of a taste of what's in store for him. Before being re-assigned back to Major Midget, he lived with a billet family for the final four days of camp.
"I know I'm going to miss being at home with my friends but I'm also excited to leave too. It's just something I know I have to do."
