Drew Elliott previously played for Team NB. (Submitted: Jennifer Elliott)
A Saint John teen had the chance of a lifetime last week.
Drew Elliott was in Calgary for a Hockey Canada camp, where he and other U-17 players from across the country had the chance to try out for Team Canada.
Elliott was one of four players from New Brunswick, and the only one from Saint John.
He says being able to represent his community was an amazing opportunity.
“It’s a great feeling to have. It took a lot of good work and it just makes me really happy just to be there and just get the extra experience, because I’m very lucky to have that opportunity,” he said.
He says the week-long camp was a scouting opportunity for Team Canada, and the players will meet up again in B.C. in November to play a U-17 tournament with teams from around the world.
“I thought I did pretty good. It’s good competition there, and obviously it does take a lot of hard work. It was great just to meet other players and just see what my age group around Canada is really about, and just see where I fit in,” he said.
Elliot says he’s been playing hockey since he was four years old. For the past two seasons, he played for the Saint John Vitos Major Junior team.
He says right now, he’s focused on advancing his career.
“I tried out for the Bantam Team KV Kings and made that as an under-ager, and I just got drafted to to a team in Quebec, the Baei-Comeau Drakkar. We’ll just see what happens next and if I can get the Team Canada it would be great,” he said.
The Drakkar are a Quebec Major Junior Hockey League team, the same league the Sea Dogs play in.
Elliott says hockey has become a big part of his life.
“It means everything to me. It’s my life and I do it every single day, and I just don’t really know what I would do without hockey. It’s a great sport and I really encourage a lot of younger players to play. It certainly changed my life.”
