A foothills hockey product has tasted gold for his province, now he’s looking to do the same for his country.
Conner Bleackley, a veteran of the Alberta Cup and gold medalist at the 2011 Western Hockey League’s (WHL) U16 Challenge Cup, is taking his promising hockey career to another level after being named to the Team Pacific roster for the 2013 World Junior U-17 Hockey Challenge, Dec. 29 to Jan. 4 in Quebec.
“It’s overwhelming. Those other events are big but not quite on a world stage against European teams,” Bleackley said. “You’re representing your country and I think every kid dreams of putting that Canadian sweater on. It’s going to be exciting.”
The 16-year-old centre, the Red Deer Rebels’ first round pick in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft after a sublime season with the Bantam AAA Okotoks Oilers, said he did all he could at the Team Pacific evaluation camp this summer to make the team.
“I was really hoping to and I think I proved I can play there,” said Bleackley of his strong showing. “I scored a couple of goals and was one of the best players at the camp in my opinion and I’m just glad to know that they acknowledged that.”
Team Pacific features elite hockey players born in 1996 or later representing Alberta, British Columbia as well as Yukon and the Northwest Territories.
The veteran of the Team Alberta hockey program said it was unique to compete for spots on the inter-provincial squad.
“It was different,” he said. “Being on Team Alberta you play against those guys, you know those guys, but it’s definitely good to meet some new guys from B.C. and there’s a lot of good players over there so we’re going to have a good team.”
Fittingly, the 22-player roster for Team Pacific features 11 players each from B.C. and Alberta including Camrose Kodiak phenom Tanner MacMaster and Calgary Hitmen standouts Jacob Virtanen and Josh Thrower.
Bleackley, who played 16 games in Red Deer as a 15-year-old rookie last season, is taking the bull by the horns in his role as an everyday player for the Rebels.
The evolution of the High River native’s game is something the Team Pacific brass noticed.
“They told me I was on their radar to start the season and that I’ve really taken a step forward at the start of the year playing here in Red Deer,” Bleackley said. “They’ve liked my game so far and want me to keep playing that way.”
Team Pacific head coach Jason Becker said there are a myriad of assets that rendered Bleackley a surefire position on the roster.
“One of the things we looked at was Conner's size,” said Becker, also an assistant coach with the Prince George Cougars. “He's a big body who skates well and he uses his size to his advantage to protect the puck and also separate opponents from the puck.”
Becker said he’s expecting Bleackley to be a force at both ends of the ice in Quebec.
“The staff in Red Deer have done a good job in developing Conner and we look forward to him representing Team Pacific to the best of his abilities,” Becker said.
The six-foot 200-pound power forward has potted two goals and eight points in 23 games for the Rebels this season.
“Personally, it’s been good so far, they’ve given me a lot of opportunity and a lot of ice,” Bleackley said. “I’ve been second or third-line centre and have been getting time on the powerplay and I’m just trying to make the most of that.
“Hopefully, by the end of the year I can solidify myself as a top-six forward.”
Red Deer struggled out of the gate with a 10-11-1-1 record and saw head coach Jesse Wallin relieved of his duties last week. Team owner and general manager Brent Sutter, the Calgary Flames bench boss from 2009-12, has taken on the interim coaching duties in Red Deer.
Sutter guided the Rebels to the 2001 Memorial Cup and twice led Canada to gold at the World Junior Hockey Championship.
“It’s going to be huge for me because obviously (Sutter’s) had success at every level,” Bleackley said. “I’ve just got to be a sponge and soak up all of his knowledge and I think every single guy on the team this year is going to be a lot better from Brent.”
