This season has been a crazy experience, but I’ve loved every minute of it. When the Knights contacted me, I was basically a complete unknown. Kelowna took, in my opinion, a big risk in signing me. Maybe I pan out, and they get a good player, but it is just as likely that I don’t, and they just wasted a bunch of money and a roster spot on me. I hope that they aren’t disappointed in how I have turned out. I’m certain I got the better part of the deal, getting to be on this great team.

I joined the team during preseason, but I didn’t see any ice time until the regular season. I started out as the left wing on the fourth line. Fine by me. I have done nothing to earn anything higher. I mean, I’m no Kovalev, so I need to put in the work if I want to carve out a spot on this team. I worked hard, tried to be a positive presence in the locker room, and by the end of the season, I’m on the third line on a team that has a first round bye in the playoffs. What more could I want?

I did alright for myself, in terms of stats. Nothing that is going to blow anyone away, but I’m not beating myself up over my numbers either. I know that I’m behind the curve, and I still have a lot of developing to do. Also, my average minutes per game are among the lowest on the team. I try to keep my expectations realistic, and I understand that these things take time. I am up towards the top of the team for hits, and that does make me happy.

The absolute best part of this season has been my wonderful teammates in Kelowna. My main crew consist of Ivan Koroviev, Nikolaus Scholz, and Maria Maximova. I first got to work with them on a rookie introduction press conference. It was a great way to be introduced to this fine group of people. We’ve gotten along really well since then, and I feel like we’ve grown close throughout the season. Of course, I can’t forget about my boy, Tony Flow! This guy is a maniac. I love having him on my team. Matt Veenstra too. One of the nicest guys you ever want to meet. Of course, I would be remiss if I left Randy Randleman out. He has been a huge help, and a major source of inspiration to me. I am absolutely, 100% certain, that without this group of people, I wouldn’t have pushed myself as hard as I did, and made the strides that I made this season. Oh, and I can’t forget about all the great former Knights that I got to meet. Ales Smirnov, Toki Wartooth, Riko Muerto, Mark Harter. I know there are more, but I can’t think of them off the top of my head.

This Kelowna team has made me feel so at home, I’m a bit apprehensive about the SHL entry draft. I know it’s inevitable, but I don’t want this fantastic team to get split up. The most I can hope for is that I do end up on the same team as one of them, maybe two, but even that seems unlikely. Hopefully, even with the expansion, most of us will get to stick around for another season in Kelowna.

[573 words]