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The Brandon U18 AAA Wheat Kings have punched their ticket to the league finals and as they await their opponent, one of their star forwards took some time to reflect on the playoff run to this point.
"We've been really good," 15-year-old Reid Nichol said about his team's play of late. "We've been staying out of the box as best we can, we've been getting pucks deep and doing the little things to win games."
The AAA Wheat Kings have an identity of a team that is hard-working and deep throughout the lineup and Nichol says everyone does something to contribute to victories. "Everyone knows what they have to do, we all know our jobs and we keep it simple. We can do what we can to win."
At 15 years old, Nichol is the youngest player on the team and he says he's been learning a lot from the leadership group in Brandon. "It's been really good. They've been so much help through the season and into playoffs. They talk about doing the little things and they have great communication on the ice."
Throughout the year, the coaches have praised Nichol not just for his stats but for his mental toughness, specifically early in the year when he was finding it hard to adjust to the next level. "It was difficult," Nichol says on coming from U15 AAA. "I had to get used to the physicality and how quick the play was. It took me a little bit and now I'm doing pretty good."
Pretty good is an understatement.
The rookie has piled up an eye-popping 35 goals in 48 games, 58 points total. That's continued in the playoffs. Nichol credits those early season struggles with helping him prepare for the grind of a AAA season. "It was good, I didn't have near as much confidence (early) as I do now. That confidence has helped me to do a lot."
Nichol is aware that his stellar season has caught the attention of scouts from different leagues, but he says he's been able to block out that kind of noise and focus on what's in front of him. "I really don't think about that. I just focus on the game and do what I can do to help my team win."
Heading into the finals, Nichol says the team can still find another level and he's looking forward to getting back onto the ice for meaningful games. "We just need to keep it simple. We need to stay out of the box, stay consistent on the forecheck, stay consistent all over the ice. Hit them, wear them down so they feel it in games three, four, and five."
Being a hometown boy, it means the world to Nichol that he's been able to win in the past as a Wheat King and has that opportunity again this year. "It's been great. I grew up here, it's been awesome. I've been able to play with my friends all the way up and now I've made new friends with the older guys here."
Having the support around him has also been a big boost. "The support has been great, the community has been great. Not a lot of people in Brandon, but everyone is connected, everyone knows everyone. It's just great."
Brandon awaits the result of game five between the Winnipeg Wild and Winnipeg Bruins, which is set for Thursday.