The Swan Valley Stampeders weren't a team that scored a whole lot last season, but that could change going forward with a recent signing of theirs.
Carson Pawlenchuk from Alberta will be joining the Stampeders this fall to begin his junior hockey career.
The 17-year-old from Ardrossan, Alberta is excited to become a Stampeder.
"I'm definitely quite excited," said Pawlenchuk. "It's an honour to be able to play with them next season. It's also a nice opportunity to move out and move on to the next stage of my life. I can't wait for it."
"The Swan Valley scouts reached out to me, and said they liked the way I played," he added. "They said it would be a good opportunity for me to come in and make a difference."
Carson is a 6'1" forward, and he's coming off a career year with the Strathcona Warriors who play in the Northern Alberta Midget Hockey League. In 32 games, he scored 32 goals and added 26 assists which led his team and entire league as well.
Out of several options around junior hockey, why did Carson choose Swan Valley?
"Well, it's more of a small-town and it's not as big as some Alberta towns," said Pawlenchuk. "They've committed quite a few players to the next level this past year, and I think I'll have a great chance to develop myself, and hopefully make the next step in a few years."
Hopping into the MJHL as a rookie is never easy, and Carson knows it won't be, but he figures he'll get figure it out quickly.
"It'll be a little difficult off the start for sure," he added. "It'll just take a little to get used to the speed, and the size of guys that are a couple years older than me."
"But, it should only take a couple games to get used to it," said Pawlenchuk.
Carson plans to work extra hard, and use his offensive ability to get through the first couple games, and eventually shine in the MJHL.
"I just have to work really hard, and I'm sure that'll end up paying off in the offensive zone," he added. "I have a pretty good shot, and I like to use it whenever I have the chance."
AUDIO: Carson Pawlenchuk.
