A 17-year-old hockey player from Terrace has signed with the Cowichan Capitals after being recruited this spring from the Thompson Blazers.
Timber Lewis grew up playing in Terrace Minor Hockey, and left Terrace at age 14 to attend the Okanagan Hockey Academy in Penticton, followed by a year at the Pacific Coast Hockey Academy in Victoria.
Last year the 6-foot, 175-pound defenceman joined the Thompson Blazers and competed in the Major Midget League for a season. During his 38 games with the Blazers, Lewis scored six goals, made 18 assists, and tallied 24 points for the team.
This spring he attended the tryout camp for the Cowichan Capitals, then was invited by head coach Mike Vandekamp to the second camp in May.
“Timber was actually, to me anyways, a relative unknown,” said Vandekamp. “He was just a name on the list of unknowns coming into camp… I liked him, so I invited him back.”
From there Vandekamp decided to sign him, largely due to his sharp skating and good feet.
“Right off the bat, [Lewis] skated well enough to play in our league… that’s the number one thing,” said Vandekamp, adding that Lewis is also a strong kid.
But it was the character Lewis exhibited that sealed the deal for Vandekamp.
“That was probably what put it over the top for me. He’s got really good character. And he wants to be a player. He’s got the drive and determination, you can tell,” Vandekamp explained.
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So Lewis signed with the team right after the May camp, and he was thrilled.
“I was super excited,” Lewis said. “Coming from a small town like Terrace, this is kind of a big deal for me. You never really think this is going to happen.”
Yet Lewis has been shooting for this for years, he said, and he’s now one of the youngest players among number of new faces building up the team.
He camp play with Capitals for the next four years, till he is 20, and his aim is to get a scholarship for a division one hockey school, ideally Ohio State University, he said.
“I’ve always wanted to play college hockey, and get a scholarship, and win a national championship… this is one step closer to achieving that goal,” said Lewis.
Lewis says he is grateful to everyone in Terrace who’s supported him and contributed to his game.
“I”m just super grateful for my family, and all the coaches who supported me in Terrace and everyone who’s helped to get me to this level,” he said.
READ MORE: Terrace hockey player breaks all-time points record in Major Midget League
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