The town of McCreary experienced a new feeling on June 27, hearing a local player's name called in the NHL Entry Draft.
Brady Turko spent his first full season in the Western Hockey League with the Brandon Wheat Kings and says it was a fantastic year.
"I thought it was a good year; it was a good stepping stone as my first year in the Western League. And I thought it was a really fun year and, just all around, a good year to learn and to develop and get better."
Turko says his mindset about the draft was to go with the flow.
"I was in a mindset of, you know, whatever happens, happens. I think in everybody's mind, there's always a thought that they can get drafted. And that's something that, obviously, you want to happen and something that hockey players work their whole lives towards. Just to see my name get picked, it's just something super special and something that you can't even put into words how happy you are."
He adds that they were keeping a close eye on the list as each name was revealed.
"I was up at the lake at Clear Lake. I was just sitting at home, me and my family were looking at it and watching the draft and you know, I have a lot of a lot of friends and a lot of good buddies who I was wanting to see where where they get drafted. And then, to see my name get called, it was a super special moment for me and my family."
Turko was drafted with pick #200 in the draft, after teammate Roger McQueen, who was also selected by the Anaheim Ducks. He comments that he was glad to be down there with someone who he already has a relationship with.
"Me and Roger are really good friends. Having somebody down there that you're friends with and somebody that you're familiar with, that definitely makes the whole learning experience a lot more special."
He notes that his time at rookie camp was exceptional, and looks forward to working with the team more when training camp rolls around.
"Everybody was really nice and welcoming. All the players and staff were really great. It's a first class organization and it was a lot of fun. The days were great; I did a bit of skating, a little working out, it's a lot of fun being down there."
Turko outlines what he plans to work on over the summer to prepare for training camp in Anaheim this fall.
"I think just working on little things, getting stronger. Working on your shot and little skills that you can work on in everybody's game is gonna be a big part for me in the summer. Then just getting prepared for for camp in September and making sure that I'm ready to go and that I'm making a great second impression."