Michael Hails will be in the stands for the Crescent Point Energy Western Canada Cup in Nanaimo.
His goalie equipment will be near by, just in case the Nanaimo Clippers run into an injury or illness during the inaugural Junior A hockey tournament.
After backstopping the Comox Glacier Kings to the Vancouver Island Junior League finals, where they lost to the Victoria Cougars, Hails was dazzling as the Kings went winless in the Cyclone Taylor provincial championships in Comox.
The 18-year-old Vernon minor hockey product has practised with the Clippers numerous times this season, and will be on their roster for the 10-day westerns.
Clipper captain Trevor Fitzgerald said Hails has held his own in workouts.
“He looked pretty good, he looked pretty confident,” said Fitzgerald, also of Vernon. “He fits in well and looked like he’s capable of playing at the Junior A level.”
Moving up a notch is on Hails’ bucket list after being traded to Comox by the Creston Valley Thundercats of the KIJHL last fall.
“I’m looking to play Junior A next year, that’s the goal,” said Hails. “Anywhere.”
He went 8-4 in the Glacier Kings’ playoff run after going 7-6 in the regular season. Comox finished second in their division, at 22-22-3, behind the Nanaimo Buccaneers.
“The difference between shooters in the two leagues is that in the BCHL, almost everyone can pick a corner or put the puck where they want it to go, and in a hurry. In Junior B, you get a handful of players on each team that can do that, but most put their head down and hope for the best.”
Hails, 5-foot-11, 190 pounds, suffered with a virus and missed two games during the final Island series against Victoria. He was worthy of first star in most league and Cyclone Taylor Cup games.
“I had more than 150 shots in the Cyclone Cup and it was a great experience,” said Hails. “It was a championship so I had bring my game up. You want to prove yourself on the big stage, especially since I was traded to Comox. The crowd and hype made it all more exciting.”
In February, the Clippers’ goalie coach, Jeff Battah, got Hails to plant his feet more and relax, two things he quickly put into play.
“I think I had a great season. Moving to a new place is always challenging but the guys were nice to me and made me feel welcome, and I was able to help the team.”
Hails will spend the summer working mainly on his leg strength. He’s a Carey Price fan who also enjoys playing soccer and tennis.
The Western Canada Cup starts with opening ceremonies tonight at Frank Crane Arena, followed by a Chad Brownlee (former Vernon Viper) concert at the adjacent Beban Park Social Centre
The first game sees the Surrey Eagles take on Brooks Bandits Saturday at 2 p.m. The Clippers open against the Yorkton Terriers of Saskatchewan Saturday at 7 p.m
“We have done some pre-scouting and we do have an idea of what and who we’re playing against,” said Nanaimo head coach Mike Vandekamp, formerly with the Vipers. “But hockey’s hockey. I don’t think there’s massive adjustments that you go out and make depending on who you’re playing.”
Vandekamp also told Black Press Sports: “I think it will be more intense than you think. You don’t need past-history rivalries to create intensity. What this intensity will be built on is the pot of gold that’s on the end of the rainbow – we’ve got a chance to go to a national tournament here. That in itself will create the competitiveness necessary to make for a good hockey game.”
