Carson Mazzei is a competitive junior golfer, but on the warmest weekend this spring, he found himself camped out at the rink.
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He wouldn’t have it any other way.
Mazzei is an up-and-coming hockey player in Lloydminster, where he’s trying out for the U18 AAA Lancers.
With more than 100 players at their identification camp last weekend, the Lancers staged the first round of their tryout process. Afterward, they whittled the numbers down to the 40-man range.
Mazzei, a 17-year-old forward graduating from the U17 AAA Lancers, was generally satisfied with his performance against prospects from across the city and communities like Wainwright, Cold Lake and Bonnyville.
“I thought I did pretty good,” said Mazzei, a Grade 11 student at Lloydminster Comprehensive High School. “Maybe I wasn’t happy with one skate. But, overall, decent.”
New coach Chris King noted Mazzei made his presence felt during camp and showed the kind of leadership qualities the U18 Lancers want to espouse in the coming campaign.
Mazzei believes it comes with the pride of wearing a Lloyd jersey, just as he has done from his childhood as a Bobcat and through his teenage years as a Lancer.
“After the change to Lancers from Bobcats, it means a lot to have a Lancers logo and just to represent Lloydminster,” said Mazzei, whose favourite NHL team is the Pittsburgh Penguins.
As he lined up Sunday for a camp exit meeting with King, Mazzei sported a golf shirt and dress shorts, befitting a multi-sport athlete who has also stood out on the Maple Leaf Junior Golf tour and other circuits.
As the U18 Lancers try to become competitive in the Alberta Elite Hockey League, Mazzei wants to be a part of a culture change that emphasizes a commitment both on and off the ice.
“Absolutely,” he said. “Just making sure that everyone gets along. And not just on the ice, but every day in the community, just making sure you’re not doing wrong stuff.”
In their efforts to rebuild the program, the Lancers are banking on “good chemistry and working hard,” he said. “Maybe compared to Edmonton teams, we don’t have as many guys (to pick from), but I feel like if we work harder and play more physically, it runs them down and gets them tired.”
Mazzei and his buddies were a tired lot after three days of camp workouts at Servus Sports Centre. They won’t slow down in the off-season.
“I have to work hard this summer to get better,” said Mazzei, who scored 13 points, including 10 assists, in 34 games during the past season.
“I golf a lot — I do tournaments — but I also make sure I’m working out and skating every week. Getting stronger, so I don’t get knocked off the puck.”
He makes the most of his five-foot-six, 135-pound frame.
“I’m maybe not the biggest guy, but I try to use my speed,” said Mazzei, who gave a scouting report on his playing style.
“A pass-first mentality, a 200-foot player, with a decent D-zone (presence) to protect the front of the net and make plays in the O-zone.”
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