Wyatt DanyleykoB次元官网网址檚 journey in pursuit of a professional hockey has taken a major stride forward.
The 14-year-old Sooke resident was recently selected by the Western Hockey LeagueB次元官网网址檚 Victoria Royals in this yearB次元官网网址檚 bantam draft.
B次元官网网址淚t was a bit of a surprise when a teammate told me during class that I got picked up by the Royals,B次元官网网址� Danyleyko said in an interview with the Sooke B次元官网网址 Mirror. B次元官网网址淚 plan to pursue hockey as far as it takes me, so itB次元官网网址檚 a major opportunity.B次元官网网址�
When asked what he believes are the attributes that earned him a spot in the draft, Danyleyko said he takes a lot of pride in his 200-foot game.
B次元官网网址淚 try to bring a high level of competition to the offensive and defensive sides of the game,B次元官网网址� he said.
Ed Fowler, director of player personnel for the Victoria Royals, said several aspects of DanyleykoB次元官网网址檚 game impressed the organization.
B次元官网网址淲ith all of these players, weB次元官网网址檙e trying to project what they might do when theyB次元官网网址檙e 18,B次元官网网址� Fowler said. B次元官网网址淲yattB次元官网网址檚 a hardworking two-way player, which we ask all of our players to be once they arrive in Victoria. He competes hard and works hard when heB次元官网网址檚 away from the puck, which you donB次元官网网址檛 see in a lot of young players. He looks like a team player whoB次元官网网址檚 always working hard to get back on defence. HeB次元官网网址檚 also a point-a-game guy with decent hands, a long, lanky kid who skates pretty well.B次元官网网址�
Projecting forward, Fowler said the organization will look for improvements in DanyleykoB次元官网网址檚 quickness and acceleration.
B次元官网网址淲e (also) talked to other players and coaches to find out about character,B次元官网网址� Fowler said. B次元官网网址淔rom everything we heard, heB次元官网网址檚 a good person, and thatB次元官网网址檚 very important to us in Victoria. ItB次元官网网址檚 very difficult to assess kids at such a young age, but it looks like Wyatt could be an effective player in our league once he physically matures.B次元官网网址�
The six ft. one in., 151 lb. centre taken in the sixth round, 123rd overall, started playing hockey when he was four. He played in Sooke until peewee before moving on to play for the the Juan de Fuca Grizzlies. Danyleyko is currently a member of the Pacific Coast Hockey Academy based in Langford and attends the West Shore Centre for Learning and Training.
B次元官网网址淎ll of the coaches and staff are first-rate,B次元官网网址� he said regarding the Pacific Coast Hockey Academy. B次元官网网址淓veryoneB次元官网网址檚 very supportive and they all have the playersB次元官网网址� backs.B次元官网网址�
That comfort level will change dramatically in September when Danyleyko heads the Interior to play with the Penticton Hockey Academy.
B次元官网网址淏eing away from home for the first time is going to be a little nerve wracking,B次元官网网址� he admitted. B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 an important step in my development as a player, and IB次元官网网址檓 fortunate to have a good support network.B次元官网网址�
Danyleyko credits all of his coaches at every level for his success, adding that his parents and grandparents, Chris and Christina Shewn, have played prominent roles in his development.
He lists Cole Caufield of the Montreal Canadiens as his favourite player on his favourite team, adding that passion for Montreal has been passed down to him from his father, a lifelong Habs fan.
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