You can take the boy out of Alberta but you canB次元官网网址檛 take Alberta out of the boy.

Sitting in VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 traffic in a black 1971 Ford 100, thereB次元官网网址檚 nothing glaringly obvious about Keegan KanzigB次元官网网址檚 prairie upbringing.

The Victoria Royals defenceman has no cowboy boots or 10 gallon hat. And despite coming from rural Alberta, heB次元官网网址檚 not an offseason ranch hand. In fact, heB次元官网网址檚 a lot less cowboy than some of the Langford players coming out of Juan de Fuca Minor Hockey.

But he does have that truck, complete with fuzzy dice hanging from the mirror.

B次元官网网址淭he dice were a gift, thatB次元官网网址檚 all I can say,B次元官网网址� Kanzig said. B次元官网网址淭he truck I picked up back in 2010 from someone in Spruce Grove. It wasnB次元官网网址檛 specifically a 1971 Ford that I wanted, but a truck with that era of body style.B次元官网网址�

To look at it, the old Ford has led a good life, with a few dings to prove it.

Its clad with a vintage Alberta licence plate on the front and a rusted long bed that could haul at least half a dozen hockey bags. ItB次元官网网址檚 size is a pretty good fit for the gentle giant, who carries his 6-foot-5, 230-pound frame with a sense of calm.

Of course, heB次元官网网址檚 not so gentle on the ice. But away from the rink, Kanzig is one of nine Royals students that excel as full time students of Vic High.

B次元官网网址淪o far IB次元官网网址檝e put in a decent amount of work, a new starter and distributor cap, which I did on my own,B次元官网网址� Kanzig said. B次元官网网址淎t school I replaced the rear axle seals and worked on the brakes.B次元官网网址�

KanzigB次元官网网址檚 mechanical inclinations can be traced directly back to his dad, who works in Athabasca as a mechanical engineer, though the family is now based in Fort Saskatchewan.

B次元官网网址�(Kanzig) is the first Royals player to be in my mechanics class and heB次元官网网址檚 been great,B次元官网网址� said Mark Van Akker, the auto shop teacher at Vic High. B次元官网网址淗e has a future in it if he needs it.B次元官网网址�

But itB次元官网网址檚 not all wrenches and motor oil for Kanzig. Last year, the 17-year-old aced Math 12 as a Grade 11 student, and yet he defers to 16-year-old Royals rookie Joe Hicketts as the math whiz.

B次元官网网址淗icketts is doing the same thing, but both are very bright math students,B次元官网网址� said Tammy Renyard, the RoyalsB次元官网网址� education advisor.

When Renyard first took on the role she was the vice principal at Vic High. SheB次元官网网址檚 since become the vice principal at Spectrum Community School but continues to work with Vic High and the Royals.

SheB次元官网网址檚 also the mother of Nic Renyard, 18-year-old goaltender with the Penticton Vees of the BCHL, which helped lead her to the world of hockey players and school.

B次元官网网址淰ic High has been extremely flexible to support the boys,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭hey all have strong marks and work very hard to maintain the balance of school and hockey.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not like the old days (of the WHL). Actually, itB次元官网网址檚 anything but. Parents have high expectations on the school front.B次元官网网址�

If Kanzig is Example A, then Hicketts is Example A1.

Hicketts is one of four Royals in Grade 11 with Ryan Gagnon, Brandon Fushimi and Jack Walker, while Kanzig is among the graduating players with Luke Harrison, Kolton Dixon, Taylor Crunk and Logan Fisher.

Hicketts, however, is a bit of a smarty pants. If he wasnB次元官网网址檛 such a shift disturber on the ice, one might ask to see his pocket protector.

B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 technically of Grade 11 age but is on track to graduate early and is carrying a full course load for Grade 12,B次元官网网址� Renyard said.

Renyard is also quick to point out that the Royals at Vic High arenB次元官网网址檛 the only students on the team.

Ben Walker is taking a course at Camosun College. Jordan Fransoo has been doing first year economics through UVic and is now one of three Royals taking online courses through Athabasca University, which is beneficial because the courses can be done one at a time.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not unheard of for WHL players to complete their first year of university before they go to the CIS,B次元官网网址� Renyard said. B次元官网网址淭hat way their CIS money goes a lot further. Some even use it to pay for their masters.B次元官网网址�

As for Kanzig, heB次元官网网址檚 hoping an NHL career is in the cards, while B次元官网网址渢rying not to think about it.B次元官网网址�

He was ranked 194th amongst North American skaters in the January release of 2013 eligible skaters by the NHLB次元官网网址檚 Central Scouting Service.

With a pro contract, you can bet that old Ford will get some love.

sports@vicnews.com