Hockey players from across the world are travelling to rookie camps for various NHL franchises, and several Manitobans are making the journeys.
Dawson Cowan, a goaltender from Warren, Manitoba, plays with the Western Hockey League's (WHL) Spokane Chiefs, and just recently was in southern California, taking part in the San Jose Sharks' rookie camp.
Cowan notes that the experience of camp has been a big learning experience for him.
"It's been really good. I'm grateful to be here, and just trying to get better every day, work with the coaches and gain experience and mould my game. So, it's been a lot of fun."
Cowan has been playing junior hockey full-time in the WHL for the last two years and says that the jump to being at this camp is not lost on him.
"It's been a journey for sure. I've learned a lot everywhere I've been, and I'm pretty lucky to end up in San Jose where I am now. I'm just excited for the future."
He says the schedule for the camp can be a grind at times.
"We're kinda going all day, whether it's workouts, skate, meetings or video and stuff, so they keep us busy. It's a full-packed schedule; it's tiring, so you gotta get a lot of sleep and stay on top of it."
Cowan notes that the support he's received from many people in his life has been instrumental in getting to this point.
"I'd just say thank you. All the people that have gotten me to this point, a lot of those people are still in my life now, and I rely on them on a daily basis, whether it's talking about hockey or talking about life. I'm extremely grateful to have the support that I do, and hopefully, I'll continue meeting more people and continue to further my career as it goes on."