Fork River's Andrew Bayduza is getting all set for his final season of junior hockey as a part of the Stonewall Jets of the MMJHL.
Bayduza started with the Jets in the 2015-2016 season, and since then, the defensemen's played in 131 games and has picked up 50 points.
"It's definitely been a lot of fun so far," said Bayduza. "It's a really competitive league, and I've been loving every minute of it."
Before his time with the Jets, the 21-year-old grew up and played hockey right here in the Parkland.
From the 2012-13 season to the 2014-15 season, Andrew suited up for the AAA Rangers 115 times and recorded 27 points. During that time, Bayduza learned the skills required to have success at the next level, and that level is the MMJHL.
"Doug Hedley was an unbelievable coach there," said Bayduza. "It was such a smooth transition from minor hockey to AAA and now to junior hockey. Playing for the Rangers helped me immensely."
And now 131 games later, Bayduza's will get one more chance to win a league championship, something he accomplished in his first year with the team.
"I've seen progress each year I've played here, so I'm hoping I can produce and have another great year," said Bayduza. "I'm not much of a point getter, but whatever I can do to help the team I will."
On top of his personal development throughout the years, the Jets in all have enjoyed lots of success. After winning the championship in his first year, the team finished in second place in the regular season in the 2016-17 year and fourth in the 2017-18 campaign. But, Bayduza knows the team has a big challenge ahead of them this season.
"We're losing some pretty big scorers from last season," said Bayduza. "But, our d-core is looking really good early on and despite losing some scorers, we have some other guys that will be able to step in. I think overall we're going to have a pretty promising season."
"We as a team definitely have a goal of getting home ice for the first round of the playoffs," said Bayduza. "I'm a veteran on the team so I'm just hoping to be a leader out there."
What's Andrew's favourite moment during his time with the Jets? It's really a no-brainer.
"It's been an unbelievable three years playing with this team," added Bayduza. "In the first round we were down 3-1 and we came back and won. Then, we swept our second round and did the same in the finals. There was like 900 people in that arena when we won in Stonewall and it can't really hold anymore. That felt pretty amazing."
Bayduza and the Jets play their first preseason game on September 14.
