Matt McMath has brought his hockey skills from Williams Lake to the mountains of Golden and is ready to have a great year with the Golden Rockets.
After a summer of trying out at different potential camps, McMath decided Golden was the place for him.
“I had been trying out at different spring camps and Golden held one in Kamloops. I thought that would be a good opportunity and they invited me back,” he said. McMath did admit that not only had he never been to Golden before, but he had never heard of Golden before the training camp.
The young hockey player said he, “was excited about coming to Golden and trying something new.”
After playing minor hockey last year at home he knows there will be an adjustment period coming into the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League.
“It is definitely a higher pace than what I am used to. The coaches are more stern with all the players. It was slack last year but I seem to be keeping up pretty well.”
As for his start with the team he said, “It is awesome. It is a high level of hockey and I have wanted to play this my whole life.”
As for Golden, McMath said he is glad he made the choice to come here.
“I came here not knowing what to expect but the community seems really nice. There is more to do here than I expected,” he said. “All of the team is close and people are nice. It is not busy. It is a calm place to be.”
Mcmath has also had an easier time adjusting thanks to his billets.“My billets, Gino and Colleen Palumbo, are awesome.”
As the season moves forward, the 18- year-old player said, “I am super excited. The other blueliners have been saying it is quite a jump in speed and physicality between minor hockey and Junior B. I am expecting that though.”
The Rockets next home game will be Sept. 28 against the Kimberley Dynamiters.
