Imagine a job interview where potential employers sit in the stands with clipboards in hands, scribbling away and jotting notes with your every move.
That is what it must have felt like to Austin Plevy and Braxton Bilous.
The pair, who came up through the ranks of the Langley Minor Hockey Association together, were once again teammates this past weekend.
Both were selected to participate in a pair of prospects’ games at the Langley Events Centre as part of the World Junior A Hockey Challenge.
They were among the 40 draft-eligible junior A players from across Canada who were split into two squads: East and West, who battled it out while representatives from NHL teams and U.S. universities and colleges watched.
Both Plevy and Bilous have already committed to attend Merrimack College.
They both hit the scoresheet in the first game on Saturday, with Bilous getting a goal and an assist while Plevy had three assists, including a helper on Bilous’ goal.
“It was a lot of fun” Plevy said. “And it was a great opportunity to play, especially in my home town.”
Prior to the first game, the coaching staff told the team that there was 150 or so scouts who had registered to watch the game.
“If you think about that, then you are going to make mistakes,” Plevy said. “So you just have to tune it out and play your game.”
“It was definitely a lot of pressure,” he added. “Every time you look up, you see guys with clipboards and stuff.
“You just have to remember, it is hockey, the same game you have played your entire life.
“You just have to go out and do what you always do.”
Both Bilous and Plevy are in their second year of the BCHL: Bilous a defenceman with the Victoria Grizzlies and Plevy, a forward with the Langley Rivermen.
Bilous said the games were an awesome experience and a lot of fun to be a part of.
“A game like this does have a little bit more pressure but you just have to go out there and do what you always do,” he said.
“I was honoured; it is always nice to be recognized for how you are playing,” he added.
He was among the initial roster players named last week.
Plevy was a late addition after a roster spot opened up.
The games are initially for players who are eligible for this June’s NHL Draft.
Both Bilous and Plevy are 17, but Bilous’ birthday was in March, while Plevy just turned on Monday (Nov. 14) so he can’t be selected until the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.
