Already in an elite class of hockey prospects, Brody Sunderland had a school full of supporters around him when he received the call to the Western Hockey League.
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Such is the charm of small-town life in Kitscoty, Alta., where the entire school and the greater community celebrated last week as the 15-year-old Sunderland signed with the major junior Spokane Chiefs.
“Yeah, for sure, we’re a big family there, so it’s pretty cool,” Sunderland said about the Kitscoty High School environment.
The six-foot-four forward from the U18 AAA Lloydminster Lancers was sitting in his Grade 10 language arts class when the Chiefs called to say they wanted to sign him.
“So, that was pretty funny,” Sunderland said. “I look at my phone and see it’s the director of player personnel (George Ross). I think I’ve got to skip some class (time) and take this phone call.”
It was a similar scenario last spring when Spokane management contacted Sunderland at school and advised of his selection in the fourth round (75th overall) of the WHL prospects draft.
“It was pretty much the same thing again,” he said. “Yeah, it was pretty cool.”
Sunderland’s supportive classmates include his best friend Keaton Smith, also an elite athlete. Smith has stepped up to the top-rung 18U BAEL St. Albert Cardinals this baseball season, after playing with the 15U AAA Cardinals last summer.
“He’s real excited,” Sunderland said about Smith. “He loves it up there (in St. Albert). It’s a great situation for him.
“We grew up together, so we’re pretty close. We both live in town, so we hang out (together) a lot.”
Along with spring and summer skates in Lloydminster and Wainwright, Sunderland will continue his robust off-ice training schedule at his home gym, with direction from Lloyd-based personal trainer Marcus Lam-Peters.
“He’s a great guy,” Sunderland said. “He set me up on the app. He’s tracking all my stuff that I’m doing in my home gym, so it works out well.
“I have my own schedule, so it’s nice. He just checks up on me, weekly I’d say. He goes over my workouts, and changes stuff as he sees fit, just whatever is best for me.”
Sunderland’s sports facilities at home include an indoor golf simulator, enabling him to swing into golf, regardless of the season.
“We’ve got a nice setup,” he said. “I love golf and play almost daily. It’s pretty good.
“I worked out and golfed today, so it’s been a pretty good day.”
Turning 16 in June, Brody is the youngest of four siblings in the sports-minded Sunderland family. His sister Aubree is headed to Abbotsford, B.C., this fall to play U Sports volleyball with the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades. She represented Saskatchewan in the Canada Summer Games in August 2025.
As much as he’d like to see the Edmonton Oilers perform well in the current NHL playoffs, Brody Sunderland believes the Colorado Avalanche are the best bet to win the Stanley Cup.
“Oh, I’ve got the Avs winning, probably,” he said. “They’re a strong team this year. I wish the Oilers were the top dog, but I think the Avs have got it this year.”
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