Cyle Clayton is playing his first season with the Okotoks Oilers but he is no stranger to the team.
The Strathmore product spent parts of four seasons on the other side of the rink in the AJHL with the Drumheller Dragons and spent three seasons with the Okotoks Oilers U15 AAA, U16 AAA, and U18 AAA teams during his minor hockey career.
Clayton comes from a family of defenders.
"My dad played defence for a bit so that's why we all kind of stuck with that position," Clayton explained. "Right when I started I was defence, because both my older brothers were D-men so I had to follow it I guess."
Cyle has fond memories from all the time spent at his grandfather's outdoor rink with his brothers Chayse and Cole.
"I wouldn't say we got along all the time but we tried our best. There were lots of fights out there, but now we get along really well," he joked.
The Clayton brothers all have their first names spelt with a "C." Cyle explained that his name came to be after his parents saw it in a magazine and decided to name their last-born son with a "C" instead of the usual "K" in Cyle.
Cole, the oldest Clayton brother, currently plays for the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL and scored a nifty goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during a pre-season game with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
"I talked to him after the game, he said it's pretty cool to be on the ice against Sidney Crosby. I can't believe it honestly, he was an undrafted player and now he is playing against guys like that, it's crazy. He just got sent back down to the AHL, so hopefully he gets called up (to the NHL) for a game," Clayton added.
Cole played with former Okotoks Oiler Nick Blankenburg before he signed a new deal with the Nashville Predators. Cyle asked Cole about Blankenburg and his experience with the Oilers before making the jump from the Dragons to the Green and Gold.
"He did talk to him because I asked my brother about him and stuff. Asked lots of questions about him and his route in how he got there. I have asked my brother about him quite a bit," he said. "(Blankenburg) loved it here, before this year I wasn't sure, it was kind of up in the air where I was going to end up. Getting lucky enough to talk to Okotoks, and I live close here, so it worked out perfect."
Clayton is happy with his decision to move to the BCHL because of its high level of competition and the pace of play. He believes the move is only going to help him develop more as a player.
He is currently committed to the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, the same school that former Oiler captain Dean Spak is currently attending.
"That was a school I always wanted to go to from the start and I still have a lot of work to do to get there obviously. It's not a for sure thing, it never is. So, I still have lots of work to do, but I'm really excited to hopefully get the opportunity to play there."
Clayton added that he has heard nothing but great things about Spak and plans on getting in touch with him to talk about his experience at Alaska-Fairbanks.
Clayton didn't come alone in leaving the Dragons, as Coy Pighin, Jacob Goudreau, and Jamie Hikida followed suit, which has made the transition easier.
"It helps knowing guys, and I knew a few guys that were already here. But I played with Coy and Jacob for two years prior to this. I'm pretty lucky to play with them still," Clayton said.
He wore the "A" as the assistant captain of the Dragons last season and continues to do so after earning the trust of the Oilers in training camp.
Something he shared with the Oilers before he joined the team this year is their ongoing rivalry with the Brooks Bandits.
He's not sure whether Drumheller or Okotoks has the more bitter rivalry with the Brooks squad, but it's definitely something he already had in common with his new teammates.
Clayton describes himself as an undersized two-way defenceman who likes to get into the offensive side of things but is equally responsible with the puck on the defensive side. He added that he plays a smart game, which he sees as somewhat of a necessity for a defenceman of his size.
Long bus trips have become a regular occurrence for Clayton and the Oilers, and Clayton recalled the team's first road trip to Penticton and Salmon Arm.
"I did not sleep once during the whole trip there or back. Even at night when we got back at 4:00 a.m. I don't know, I really struggle sleeping on the bus. Hopefully, I will learn because I haven't had to do many road trips like that. It was a cool experience and it's good for our team. You get to hang out with everyone for 10 hours straight. So it's pretty fun."
While Clayton has only been here for a short time so far, he already recognizes the Green Army's passion.
"I just want to say thank you. When I came into this rink playing for the opposing team, it was never very fun. They always had pretty rowdy fans, so keep it up, it's fun to be here on this side."
10 Questions with Cyle Clayton
What is your go-to cheat meal?
"Probably go with Dairy Queen. Blizzard, Oreo cookie dough."
Who was your favourite player and team growing up?
"I always liked the Edmonton Oilers which will be controversial. Drew Doughty for the player."
What is your guilty pleasure song?
"I always just listen to the radio... We will go Fancy by Reba McEntire."
Do you prefer using black or white hockey tape?
"Black. Just always used black. I can't tape my stick very well, so I don't want anyone knowing that, and you can't see it when you use black tape."
What is your pre-game ritual?
"Usually try and get an hour nap in at some point in the day."
Favourite TV show and movie?
"Favourite TV show would be Godless. Favourite movie is El Dorado, it's a John Wayne movie."
If you could meet anyone in the world, alive or dead, who would it be?
"We'll go, Trevor Brazile, he's a team roper. He is a 24-time world champion. He's one of the most winning cowboys in history, so it would be cool to pick his brain."
What is the best chirp you have heard or said?
"I took a fluttering shot from the point and the goalie just caught it for an easy save. The other team yelled, "The goalie is already warmed up, you don't have to shoot warm-up shots at him."
Would you rather go back in time or visit the future?
"Probably back in time. I would go back in time to the Western days. I'm a big fan of Western movies, it's always cool watching them and I would like to be somebody in one of those movies."
If you won the lottery what would be the first thing you would buy?
"Hunting trip to Alaska."
Bonus
If you could have any superpower, what would you choose?
"I would be invincible."
What is your secret talent?
"I team rope, nobody else does it on our team, so."