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*Wally* · 03-09-2020, 01:13 PM

As he steps off his flight, the young netminder turns and thanks the pilot for safe travels. As he walks down the Chicago O'Hare terminal the emotions run high. A new start awaits somewhere in North America with the SMJHL Draft slowly approaching.

Cale Amundsen, 18, hails from the Netherlands, but for the most part grew up bouncing around from location to location. An only child to a single parent, Cale and his father went to wherever paid the bills. From fields to rigs the elder Carl traveled, while Cale would be enrolled in various boarding programs.

"I've grown up being accustomed to finding answers. No ill-will towards my father at all. He hasn't been around simply because he works hard. While it has been difficult seeing other parents always around, one day he will make it to a game. One great thing about technology is the ability to watch from wherever he is." Cale explained.

Amundsen knew at a young age he would make the rink his home, however it wasn't until middle school would he realize that goaltending would be his calling. A massive growth spurt had him nursing growing pains for much of his seventh grade year.

"I remember that season like it was yesterday. I would rather take clapper after clapper off my dome then go through that again. Morning... I couldn't move. My legs felt like stone and my back was unbearable. I would go to physical therapy simply to deal with growing pain... had nothing to do with the ice."

As he battled, coaches started to recognize. A boy turning into a man and the style of play changed. However, it wasn't for the betterment of the style they needed. With size people expected power to make up for a reduction in speed.

"When Cale hit that growth spurt he lost that quickness with his legs. Don't get me wrong... He developed these long, long strides. He was deceptively fast... but the turnover was minimized. We thought the physicality would follow, but it never really materialized." Coach Joseph Carelli explained.

"I had a long talk with a scout recently... and much of it revolved around Cale's mental pieces. One of the smartest players I've ever coached. However, he approached it very differently than most. He was so used to internalizing his own approach that he would get lost in relationships around him. It was neither good nor bad, just his way. He missed his father... and still does.

I remember one of our first team functions he just felt so out of place. How do you tell a kid that they are part of a family... that this is his family... when all he has wanted is his own family. He lost his mother incredibly early, so his Dad worked for him to have the best. Cale has made the most out of every opportunity... But he has internalized his motivation every step of the way. All the way down to trying out goaltending."

Following the growth, Cale would often be seen in the weight room doing various workouts. With the height, the weight was sure to follow... but with a focus on flexibility... yoga would become the students go to.

"I just started eating better... I started working out differently... and I picked up goaltending. Best decision I could've made. I know that once I get into my own space in my head... Worries suspend and focus is a must. Shot by shot... The focus is only on the next one." The young netminder laid out.

It was Coach Carelli that saw the potential when the switch was made however and even led to his interest in taking over the Juniors program Cale would enroll into.

"Cale's focus was not even believable. He studied past SHL greats, but not from an 'I want to do that.' standpoint. He wanted to see how hard they worked and then make that his base... To push training... To push learning to the next level. He wanted to be the best and it all was summed up in one comment after a semi-final game." Coach Carelli articulated.

"He just saved 44 out of 45 shots... We had lost in Game 6, yet would go on to win the Championship. However, when a local reporter asked him what his team needs to do to do better his response captured the attention of the entire room.

'It isn't what they can do. It is what we can do. I need to be better for us. Win or lose this doesn't get me a step closer to being my Dad see me play here with me. If I want to give him that opportunity I need to put in the work he has put in for me. That is what he deserves... That is what this team deserves... That is what every team deserves.'

From that moment, his legend was born. Cale found himself in a 1-0 loss. He realized that those around him support his end goal just as much as his father did. That emotion is what has gotten him here... his skill will progress to what gets him to his goal."

With scouts continuing to look at the upcoming draft, the eyes will be on many. Cale Amundsen... He just wants to be the role his father and his hockey family needs... Wherever that may be.