As soon as Zander Stewart could walk, he wanted to skate.
Zander, who turns nine next month, is now a SAMHA player bound for two prestigious OneHockey international tournaments in the U.S. and another in Vancouver.
Despite his young age, Zander has often played with older players, explained dad Daryn Stewart. Last year, Daryn was surprised to receive a call from a OneHockey coach inviting Zander to play at an Alberta tournament as part of an Interior B.C. team. Zander was one of five local players to attend.
This winter brought more exciting news for Zander, who was recently invited to play on the Western Canadian Team both in Boston, Mass. in May and Philadelphia, PA in July. About two weeks ago, Zander was also invited to play on a Manitoba team at the Vancouver OneHockey tournament.
The U.S. events are “…true international tournaments,” said Daryn. “There are teams coming from Russia, Czech Republic, Finland and all up and down the east and west coast of the U.S.”
Zander’s performance as an underage player at the Alberta tournament resulted in invitations to Boston and Philly. Zander has now been awarded OneHockey Gold, or Elite AAA player, status.
“It’s amazing the talented younger players that are out there right now,” said Daryn. “It’s phenomenal. We are proud of Zander. He works really hard. He’s very dedicated.”
When asked what he loves about hockey, Zander, a Grade 3 Hillcrest student, answered “scoring goals and meeting new friends.”
“He really enjoys meeting and playing hockey with kids from all over,” added Daryn. “He’s not shy at all.”
“He’s super excited. Whenever he gets called up, he says ‘Yeah, let’s go,’” chuckled Daryn. The Stewart family is planning to accompany Zander to the OneHockey tournaments. “We have to plan our family holidays around his trips.”
“Zander loves going out and playing the game. From the time he gets up to the time he goes to bed, he’s in the basement, or on the street or on the ice, playing hockey.”
Zander, who played for the SAMHA Atom Saints, also plays minor baseball. Now, Zander, who often plays left wing, plays spring hockey in Vernon with the Okanagan Lakers.
Daryn is not sure how many other invitations may come in over the summer, when Zander often attends a Kelowna hockey school. For now, the family is looking forward to watching Zander play at the tournaments.
“The players are not together until the day prior to the tournament where they have a two-hour practice together, then its right into battle,” said Daryn. “The kids have to gel pretty quickly to succeed.”
According to the website, the California-based OneHockey was established in 1999, “…to provide gifted young hockey players the opportunity to compete at the highest level, improve their skills and play for reputable coaches and provide unprecedented exposure to scouts of all levels…”
The OneHockey website also describes putting on the “most competitive and entertaining hockey tournaments in the world.”
