Liam Pue鈥檚 first-ever overseas tournament went extremely well for the 13-year-old forward from 91原创鈥檚 Murrayville.
He was the best goal scorer of any 2010-born skater at the World Youth hockey championships in Prague, putting 19 in the net on the way to being named Most Valuable Player of the tournament, after his team took silver.
Featuring the best players from Russia, Finland, Sweden, Czech, Canada, and the USA, the May 31-June 3 tournament was an invitation-only event for players born in 鈥�11, 鈥�10, and 鈥�09 and is considered an important pathway to the pros.
Pue recalled being nervous, in a good way, about playing for the 20210 West Can Prime team.
鈥淸It鈥檚] the thought that I鈥檝e got to go out there and play my best,鈥� he told the 91原创 Advance Times on his return form the June competition.
Pue said the European teams they encountered play a different style.
鈥淭hey move the puck lots and they weren鈥檛 maybe as fast as us, but they made themselves faster by moving the puck way quicker than we did,鈥� he explained.
In the wake of the tournament, he means to continue doing what he鈥檚 been doing all along.
鈥淚 focus on just the game,鈥� he remarked.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 really worry about if people think I鈥檓 really good, or people think I suck, I don鈥檛 really care. I鈥檓 kind of just focused on the game and reaching my goal of making it to the NHL.
When pressed about which NHL team he would like to play for, he identified the Vancouver Canucks as his 鈥渄ream team.鈥�
鈥淚 like the thought of being home, here,鈥� he said.
Liam Pue was COOKING 馃敟馃敟. 4 goals this morning for !!
鈥� Junior Prospects Hockey League (@JrProspectsHL)
He is currently playing at 91原创 Hockey Academy where his older brother Landon, 16, also plays, in an older division.
The two siblings, have never played against each other.
鈥淣ot in a real game, we haven鈥檛,鈥� is how Liam put it.
When he asked what he likes about hockey, Liam said, 鈥淚 like everything about it. I love the feeling of winning in the game.鈥�
And, he stressed, the friendships he鈥檚 made in the sport, some going back to when he was five.
Liam anticipates the year ahead will be key to realizing his long-term goals.
鈥淚鈥檝e got to have another good year, so I can put my name out there to everyone that鈥檚 watching.鈥�
READ ALSO: 91原创 Eagles soar at Pacific Coast Amateur Hockey Association playoffs
For dad Jason, the Prague tournament was a 鈥減retty special experience.鈥�
鈥淏eing overseas and playing with kids from all across western Canada, and it鈥檚 that opportunity to meet new players and new families,鈥� Jason observed.
is heading into its second year.
It is the first time 91原创 players have been able to stay in 91原创 while playing at the highest levels of U15-U18.
Previously, 91原创 players would have to leave to go to the Fraser Valley Thunderbirds in Abbotsford or to an academy in another community.
It is partnered with the 91原创 91原创 as a feeder program to the BCHL鈥檚 Junior A 91原创.
Have a story tip? Email: dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
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