Two young local hockey players have been noticed by scouts while at rookie camps for the Western Hockey League's Vancouver Giants and Kamloops Blazers.
Evan Aldridge was invited to the Blazers' hockey camp this summer and so impressed observers that the Blazers have picked Aldridge to join the team. And 15-year-old Konrad Sander wowed the Giants scout while at camp earning himself a spot on the team once he turns the mandatory age of 16.
"He liked the way I played and how I went after all the big guys," said Konrad. "I am also six foot one and the WHL is looking for size mostly now. One of their mottos is 'You can teach skill, but you can't teach size'."
Sander's father, Ron, said he and his wife are thrilled.
"He's sacrificed a lot," he said. "Things others haven't."
Sander managed his son's team in Squamish and said he'll miss watching his on-ice performances.
"Fortunately his younger brother will now have my full attention," he laughed.
Konrad said he's happy the Giants chose him, but the athlete is keeping his options open."I might play for the Giants but only if they really want me to play because I don't really want to be on the fourth line and sit there for most of the game," he said. "If I do well in school I might want to get a NCAA scholarship if possible."
Konrad is currently honing his skills playing at Notre Dame, a secondary school in Saskatchewan that boasts a hockey program that formed several NHL players including Rod Brind'Amour, Curtis Joseph, Wendel Clark, Vincent Lecavalier, Brad Richards and Braydon [email protected]
