Brett Harris has some big decisions to make this summer.
The 17-year-old hockey prodigy from 108 Mile Ranch played the past two seasons with the Prince George Cariboo Cougars Major Midgets and was a fifth-round Regina Pats’ pick in the 2010 Western Hockey League (WHL) Bantam Draft.
Now, two years after the draft, he’s caught the interest of the Penticton Vees Junior A squad and the Calgary Hitmen WHL Central Division team. Both have invited Harris to attend their main hockey camps, but the problem is the camps take place at the same time in late August.
The Pats are out of the equation since he had his name removed from their list. The following day, he heard from Calgary and then Penticton contacted him.
“Penticton showed more interest in me in two weeks than Regina showed in two years,” he says.
Harris is weighing the different possibilities that come with each of the two clubs, noting that while Calgary is attractive as a WHL division team, he may spend a lot of time sitting on the bench. As a member of the Vees, he’s almost certain of seeing lots of ice time. He also likes their reputation.
“The quality of the Vees is always outstanding. They always do well.”
Harris has diligently been doing off-season training with local trainer, Dustin Price and says he’s in good health and injury-free.
He’ll be entering Grade 12 in September and says the coming season will be one of his most important.
“This year will play out more for what my hopes and dreams are. This will determine [my future].”
