For the past five years, Brendan Budy has watched the Langley Rivermen from the stands at the Langley Events Centre.
But beginning next season, Budy will get the chance to suit up for his hometown hockey club.
“It is hard to put into words how excited I am to play in the BCHL next year with my hometown team,” he said.
“Growing up, I have been to a lot of Rivermen games at the Langley Events Centre and have always wanted to be one of those players on the ice.
“It should be a great opportunity to play where I grew up.”
Budy, who turns 16 in June, committed to the Rivermen last week (Jan. 27).
Back in May, he was selected in the Western Hockey League’s annual bantam draft, going in the fourth round (69th overall) to the Red Deer Rebels. He was the highest Langley Minor Hockey Association product picked in the draft.
But he was also unsure if he wanted to play major junior or go the junior A route so that he could earn himself an NCAA scholarship for after high school.
His father played collegiately at Colorado College.
And once Budy decided he wanted to go the college route, he couldn’t resist the chance to play at home for the next couple of seasons, especially after numerous conversations with Rivermen head coach and general manager Bobby Henderson.
“Every conversation (we) had has been great and I feel that it is going to be a good opportunity for me.
“I couldn’t say no to playing in my hometown,” Budy said.
Henderson said he has kept a close eye on Budy over the past few seasons, and is a big fan of the five-foot-nine, 160-pound forward.
“Brendan is an incredibly dynamic forward,” he said. “He has a nice blend of skill and grit out on the ice and has a great release.
“He competes every time he takes a shift, and we expect him to come in and develop into a top tier producer.”
Budy played for the Delta Hockey Academy’s U16 bantam prep team last season and this year has jumped up a level to the Academy’s U18 midget squad.
And in 21 games so far, Budy has 17 goals and 19 assists for 36 points for the Wild.
Last season, he had 11 goals and 23 points in 18 games at the bantam level.
“Brendan has built on his great success from last year,” said Wild coach Scott May.
“And he has garnered a lot of attention and U.S. colleges are starting to take notice. Since September, my phone has been blowing up.”
“He is a highly skilled player, gifted offensively and with a great shot.”
Those phone calls should stop now as Budy verbally committed to Denver University over the weekend, announcing his college intentions on social media on Monday.
Budy went on about four of five visits to U.S. schools.
“I felt like it was a good fit for me,” he said.
“It is nice to have the decision out of the way.”
