Gaetano Minto, the quarterback who helped the Edwin Parr Composite School Pacers to their 2013 championship win and undefeated season, has been picked up by the Edmonton Huskies in the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL).
“It’s phenomenal, especially coming from a small town. It’s a big eye-opener,” Minto said. “Coming from the season we had this year with the Pacers, it was definitely a big help; your confidence is high.”
Minto attended Huskies spring camp from May 1–4 and got the call not long after telling him he’d made the team. He will be playing safety for the Huskies, not quarterback.
“It’s a big change, and I’m getting used to it. I can get away with a little more stuff because I’m more athletic,” Minto said.
Minto’s former coach, Peter Burden, has complete confidence Minto will go on to succeed.
“He’s just a fantastic athlete. You can put him anywhere on the field, really,” Burden said.
Though Minto is no longer playing for the Pacers, he keeps in close contact with his former coach. Burden helped him through the stressful spring training camp.
“He’s just there every step of the way. After the camps, I’d call and tell him how it went and we’d chat about everything … he’d talk me down,” Minto said.
Going into the main camp in about a month’s time, Minto is mentally and physically preparing himself for his new role.
“You can always get better at everything … you’re always learning every step of the way,” he said. “You’ve got to have a clear mind every day and excel at what you want to do and just think about it every night, and where you want to be — just dream about it.”
Following the Huskies main camp, the team will prepare for the start of the CJFL season later in the summer.
