The creation of the Pursuit School of Sport came just in time for Grade 12 student Ellis Smith.
Not to mention the arrival of the Thunder hockey club, also based in Lloydminster.
Read more: Lloydminster Lancers make steady strides
Smith, a six-foot, 190-pound defenceman from Hillmond, might not be the next Wade Redden, but he’s still realizing some of his hockey dreams this season as part of the U18 Thunder in the Premier Hockey League and as a Pursuit student in the new school tailored for high-performance athletes.
“The school aspect, it’s a great school,” said Smith, 17. “It’s really catered to athletes. It makes it easy to get assignments in on time, focus on the one assignment at a time. We have no school on Friday, so that’s always a bonus.
“It’s a great experience. Bumps and bruises the first year, but this school is going to be great.”
Pursuit’s flexible school schedule, without any Friday classes, enables student-athletes like those on the Thunder to hit the road or prepare for weekend games.
The stars aligned for Smith this year as he had always wanted to play a higher level of hockey beyond his house-league background in Hillmond and Paradise Hill.
“Just location-wise, I could never try out anywhere in Lloydminster, because I’m on the Saskatchewan side,” he said. “I live just a bit too far outside of Lloyd to be considered in the area of Lloydminster. So, I’ve just been stuck there my whole life.
“I was a late bloomer to hockey, too. I started playing when I was eight or nine. And the closest place that offered like a AA or AAA (program) was North Battleford. That was just always a drive, having three practices a week at like, whatever time, nine o’clock at night and get back at almost one o’clock in the morning in -40 C weather. It’s kind of just unrealistic expectations.”
His expectations took a realistic turn in the right direction when he committed to the Thunder, whose players are among the 60 students enrolled at Pursuit.
“It’s been good,” said the well-spoken Smith. “It’s been a great experience, coming from playing hockey in a small town outside of Lloyd, called Hillmond. You don’t really get to go any (faraway) places, so this has been a great eye-opener for what sports can bring to you, just the travel aspect, the bonding aspect, being with an actual team.
“And having set times, dates and events that you have to attend. I know we do some community services, too. We’re marching in the Parade of Lights here in Lloyd pretty soon. It’s been great to bring some extra opportunities for me.”
‘MY TICKET SEASON’
He believes more opportunities are in store for him beyond high school.
“Next year, I see myself playing at junior-level hockey, whether that’s junior B with the Bandits here in Lloyd, junior A for the Bobcats here, or anywhere (else) in the AJHL,” Smith said. “I know our (Thunder) team has been scouted by an AJ team already. Just any camp invites (would be a stepping-stone).
“I see myself playing at the level I’ve kind of been wanting to play at for a while. This is kind of my ticket season. I’m just ready to put the work in and get there.”
As he shoots for hockey at the next level, Smith embraces sharing the same community roots as Redden and would consider himeself fortunate to skate on a path like that of the former NHL all-star defenceman.
“Yeah, hopefully, that’s my goal,” Smith said with a smile stretching almost all the way back to Hillmond.
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