As smoothly as he adapted to the Western Hockey League, defenceman Bryce Pickford transformed himself from the relative quiet of farm life in Chauvin, Alta., to the bright lights of Toronto for the Canadian Hockey League awards ceremony.
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Pickford made the trip to Toronto, where he accepted the CHL top defenceman award on Monday, after soaking up his off-season return to his family’s Prairie farm this spring.
“Yeah, it’s definitely hard to sometimes flip on and flip off a switch, going to events like this from just kind of being a bum out on the farmhouse and letting my beard grow and letting it buck, and then going to Toronto and I’ve got to wear a suit and tidy up a little bit, so that’s a little different,” Pickford said with a chuckle, minutes before flying out of Toronto later Monday.
“But yeah, it’s a blast to be able to do that and I’m honoured for it, too.”
It was a season of honours for Pickford as he captained the Medicine Hat Tigers in style. After scoring 45 goals and 83 points in 55 games, the Montreal Canadiens’ prospect was named the WHL defenceman of the year and WHL player of the year, and now CHL D-man of the year.
“Yeah, I’ve got a couple of awards, but I think this one definitely feels different — the best,” Pickford said about his national recognition across the Western, Ontario and Quebec Maritimes leagues.
“But the (Tigers) team I was with this year, I’ve got to give them most of the credit, and obviously my parents have done a lot for me, too.
“So, this award definitely felt really good, walking up to the stage and even just holding the trophy and reading the names on it, it’s pretty special.”
The other finalists for this year’s top D-man award were Kashawn Aitcheson of the Barrie Colts (OHL) and Tommy Bleyl of the Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL). Bleyl was named the CHL rookie of the year.
Pickford and Kitchener Rangers (OHL) centre Sam O’Reilly were among three finalists for the CHL player-of-the-year award, which went to Chicoutimi Sagueneens forward Maxim Masse. The Anaheim Ducks’ prospect scored 51 goals and 102 points this past QMJHL season.
The CHL recognized its top talent during pro-like presentation proceedings interspersed with a meal and the announcement of award-winners.
“They had like a big-old supper, where they’d present a couple of awards, then they’d serve a salad, and a couple of more awards, then we’d have dinner, a couple of more awards, and then dessert,” Pickford recounted. “So, it was planned out pretty professionally. Even before, we took photos with the trophies and did some interviews along the way, of course. It was a good day.”
BROTHER OFF TO BCHL
Sharing in Pickford’s special moment was one of his three brothers, Reily, also a defenceman standing out in junior hockey circles.
Reily accompanied Bryce on the trip to Toronto for the CHL awards festivities, which included a Blue Jays baseball game on Sunday.
Turning 19 in September, Reily is bound for the BCHL’s Langley Rivermen next season. He was named to the AJHL’s all-rookie team this past season with the Grande Prairie Storm.
“It’s pretty cool watching it all happen, especially with how big of an award it is,” Reily said about Bryce’s latest accolades. “It’s pretty insane.”
Bryce, who just turned 20 in April, has a tight bond with his closest-in-age brother, Reily. They appreciated each other’s company this week at the CHL awards show.
“Yeah, it’s always nice to do stuff with family,” Bryce said. “I’m pretty close with Reily. Those years that I took off of games, I really didn’t leave the farm. Me and Reily both didn’t. It was nice not being alone, and I had him to keep me in my place, and I kept him in his place, and we kept each other motivated and on the right track. So, I think that’s why Reily is doing as good as he is now, and it’s just going to get better from here. And I’m going to do the same.”
The Pickford boys departed Toronto and flew to Florida to attend the reputable Darryl Belfry hockey skills camp for the rest of June.
“We won’t be done for another two weeks, so we’ve got to flip the switch for a little bit longer here,” Bryce said. “This will be our third year doing this camp. We’re pretty fired up. It’s definitely been a big help in our hockey careers through the way. It’s a blast, for sure.”
Pickford’s pro career is about to blast off this fall. Although he still has another year of junior eligibility, he’s ready to take the next step and become an even greater part of Montreal’s organization. The likeliest scenario for next season is that he would play in the American Hockey League with the Canadiens’ affiliate, the Laval Rocket.
“Yeah, that’s the plan, to be in Laval,” he said. “Obviously, I want to try and crack the NHL — that’s going to be my No. 1 goal — but most likely probably end up in Laval for at least a year or two.”
He’ll attend the Habs’ main camp and hope to stick around for the NHL pre-season, perhaps even longer.
“The goal is to go hard this summer and earn myself a regular-season game (in the NHL) at the beginning of the year, and then hopefully stick there,” Pickford said. “But if I don’t, then back in Laval, which is only like 30 minutes away, which is pretty nice.”
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