A sixteen-year-old Likely teen is following in the footsteps of hometown hero and National Hockey League superstar netminder Carey Price.
Goaltender Griffen Outhouse was signed Monday to the Western Hockey League’s Victoria Royals after impressing the team’s management during its summer training camp.
“Griffen continues to work hard at fulfilling his potential as a goaltender,” said Royals’ general manager Cameron Hope. “Griffen is taking his game to a higher level this year and we are happy to welcome him to the Royals’ family.”
Currently the starting goaltender for the Prince George-based Cariboo Cougars of the B.C. Major Midget Hockey League, the five-foot-11, 165-pound netminder said he’s excited for the opportunity to be one step closer to fulfilling his dream of playing in the NHL.
So far during the 2014/15 campaign, Outhouse has two wins and one tie with the Cougars, who he’ll continue to play for this season until he becomes NHL draft eligible next season and, hopefully, cracks a roster spot with the Royals
“I’m really excited about it,” Outhouse told the Tribune Wednesday, noting he was listed by the Royals two summers ago following the team’s training camp.
“I went back to their camp this year, but at the end of the camp they already had three goalies signed, so I was really disappointed.”
That all changed after a recent Cougars’ outing in Richmond facing off against the Greater Vancouver Canadians.
“When I came here to Prince George [to play] they traded one of their goalies, so that opened up a spot,” he said. “In Richmond the general manager was there, along with one of their scouts, and I just signed after one of the games.”
He said the opportunity to hopefully play in the WHL will open doors beyond anything he ever imagined.
“If I do make that team, the WHL’s one of the six main leagues looked at by the NHL scouts so it gives me the best opportunities,” he said.
“But right now I’ve got to focus on what I’m doing and just make sure I’m the best goalie here and work hard throughout the summer. If I’m able to make the roster next year for the Royals that will just take me to the next level.”
He said looking back on his hockey career, the hard work has definitely paid off.
Prior to this year’s season with the Cougars, Outhouse played with the Pursuit of Excellence under-16 team of the North American Prospects League. With POE Outhouse posted a goals against average of 2.88, along with a 0.882 save percentage in 12 appearances.
“I’m definitely happy,” he said.