An Okotoks forward was turning heads at a recent all-star game in Red Deer.
Midget AA Oiler forward Liam McMaster picked up MVP honours for his efforts in the South Central Alberta Hockey League (SCAHL) selects game on Jan. 16.
The 17-year old McMaster’s two third-period goals paced his Midget North side to a 5-1 victory over the South in the 12th annual event hosted by Red Deer Minor Hockey.
The goal-scoring heroics were hardly unusual for the Oiler, who leads his Midget AA club with 13 goals and 20 assists in 19 games.
McMaster, a resident of Okotoks, was humbled by the distinction and maintained how special it was to represent his club in Red Deer.
“It’s an honour to play there,” he said.
McMaster’s regular coach, Andrew Tuckey, coached the winning Northerners. Tuckey and his staff earned the right to coach in the game by having the highest winning percentage amongst North Division clubs during the first half of the SCAHL season.
Having the chance to coach McMaster and fellow Oilers Zac Johns, Tyson Arnholtz and Richard Palmer at the mid-season classic was a treasured opportunity for the second-year bench boss.
The enthusiasm amongst the North all-stars was infectious, Tuckey added.
“There’s nothing but smiles all the way down the bench, wherever you look. All the kids were enjoying it, you couldn’t help but build off that,” he said of his first all-star experience.
After playing with two unfamiliar linemates in the first two periods, McMaster was finally paired with Oiler teammate Zak Johns in the decisive third-period.
The move immediately paid dividends.
“We were on a line here and really clicked,” McMaster recalled. “We scored two goals on our first two shifts.”
“Him and his linemates stepped it up and were able to get a couple key goals,” Tuckey added. “(McMaster) put the game to sleep.”
McMaster’s clutch goals were what earned him the MVP honours. As Tuckey said, the game was just an example of what the second-year forward has been doing for his club all year long.
“He’s been leading by example,” he said.
After spending two seasons in Bantam AA, McMaster played a year with Midget 15 Raiders. In 2009, he graduated to the Midget AA level and hasn’t looked back.
McMaster credited Tuckey and his staff of Jason Bucholz, Chris Paskin and Nick Ruigrok guiding his development. The Oilers’ current coaching staff was also McMaster’s coaches when he was in Bantam.
“These guys give you a whole bunch of confidence,” he said.
Originally from Kindersley, SK, the Oilers’ leading point-getter has his sights set on a 2011 Provincial championship for his Oilers squad.
McMaster, who also boasts a 90 per cent average at Holy Trinity Academy, is planning to enjoy this season before ultimately deciding his hockey future.
After being raised in the Okotoks Minor Hockey association, he knows that it will be tough to leave his adopted hometown.
“This is a great association,” McMaster emphasized. “Everyone’s so supportive of everyone.”
If the Oilers forward does decide to continue his hockey career, his potential destinations for next year include a Junior A tryout or he may take the Canadian college route and try out for the Mount Royal Cougars hockey team.
“I’ll try out for a couple of Junior A camps, give that a go,” McMaster predicted.
The honours student also plans to become an accountant if and when his hockey dream comes to a close.
The future is bright for the skilled forward regardless of what path he chooses, Tuckey said.
“I know he’s a bright young kid,” the Oilers coach explained.
The Midget AA Oilers currently sit in second in the SCAHL’s North Division – only one point behind the Wheatland Chiefs.
The club will be in action on Feb. 4 against the NWCAA Bruins at the Centennial Arena in Okotoks at 6:30 p.m.
