Another young athlete has returned to Manitoba to take on what may be his final season of junior hockey.
Carson Bjarnason, from Carberry, MB, is back with the Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL after getting into the preseason with the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers. He notes that the experience taught him a lot.
"It was amazing, it's definitely such a cool experience being able to pick and choose and take things home with you. When you know you're going back to junior, it's nice to get to really dive deep on what each player does, on and off the ice. As for goalies, I was just pushing for my spot, and obviously, you know I wanted to push to show that I can stay there for longer," Bjarnason continues. "It's exciting to come back and bring my knowledge that I took from there to here."
Bjarnason did get into some preseason action with the Flyers, saving all nine shots he faced against the Washington Capitals on September 22, as well as both rookie and main camp. While there, Bjarnason was also part of a session that Flyers Head Coach John Tortorella orchestrated, where he brought Guy Gaudreau, the father of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, out to camp.
"He came out for our practices and stuff. Obviously, it's a horrible thing that happened to that family, my sympathy always goes out to them. Guy was exceptionally well, in the way that he really embraced the time down there. Obviously, John Tortorella, it's more than a class act for him to do that. It was nice introducing myself, and obviously, maybe it just can take a bit away from his healing process and kill the day that way."
Bjarnason now joins a Wheat Kings team, where he has played the last three seasons. With that in mind, he outlines what excites him about this season.
"Obviously, it's nice having the experience coming out of Flyers camp, main and rookie, and the preseason I was there for. Obviously, it's exciting down there, but it's nice to get back with the team I know I'm here for the season with, and just building relationships right off the bat, it will be good."
The Wheat Kings have started the season with wins in three of their first four games, and Bjarnason noted that he's particularly excited to get back to work with Roger McQueen, who is entering his draft year.
"One big name for me is Roger, just the way he sticks out with the puck, and obviously his size, and he's got a great shot. So, I'm excited to see him going into his draft year, I'm sure he'll go in the higher picks of the draft, which I'm excited for. We've been talking about it a little bit, trying to give him tips here and there, but he's definitely somebody I'm excited to watch."