It’s been a valuable learning experience for two Williams Lake hockey players who’ve spent this season as players for the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League’s Sicamous Eagles.
Forward Cameron Flinton and defenceman Landon Fuller both made the leap from midget hockey to junior B hockey to begin the season. But with 10 games left in the KIJHL regular season and little hope of making the playoffs, the focus now is to go out on a high note.
“Being the way it was this year, we’re just trying to have 10 games that are good games and do something positive every game,” said Flinton, a chippy, defensively-minded forward who has two goals and three assists in 42 games for the Eagles this season.
“We’ll take these last 10 games and use them for some confidence carrying on into next year.”
Fuller, a draft pick of the Western Hockey Legaue’s Tri-City Americans, previously spent his midget hockey playing career as a member of the Williams Lake Timberwolves. Flinton, meanwhile, spent four seasons in Wilcox, Sask., as a player for the Notre Dame Hounds.
Fuller, in 34 games with the Eagles, has two goals and three assists. He said being drafted by the Americans, and even being called up to the WHL for a few games this season, is a huge honour.
“It was almost like it didn’t happen,” said the six-foot-five, 210-pound defenceman when he found out he’d been drafted. “It was a dream come true, especially being that team and it’s history and people who went to play there, like Carey Price.”
Fuller said despite the rough season the Eagles are having, he continues to work on his game to achieve his goals. Flinton, meanwhile, said it’s fun to be on a team with another friend from Williams Lake.
“It’s great to keep playing hockey as long as I can,” Flinton said. “It’s nice to have Landon around, him knowing where I’m from and that’s cool.”
Fuller added he hopes to make the step to the WHL next year.
“I just want to keep trying to get better,” he said. “Maybe make Tri-City next year or get called up toward the end of this year.”
The Eagles, who have eight wins, 27 losses and two ties this season, have two away games this weekend.
The first goes Friday, Jan. 29 versus the Princeton Posse, before the team travels to 100 Mile House to take on the Wrangler on Saturday, Jan. 30. Puck drop for that game goes at 7 p.m. at the South Cariboo Rec Centre.