Garin Butler will play in Alberta Cup

Westlock's Garin Butler will hit this ice this spring as a member of Team Alberta Northwest at the ATB Alberta Cup in Canmore April 29 to May 3.

Butler, who was one of three local teens that played for the Fort Saskatchewan ‘AAA' Rangers this past season, said he's excited to make the team. 'It was great to get the call ... I was waiting for the call all nigh," he said.

Butler attended an open tryout for Team Alberta Northwest in Spruce Grove from March 27-29.

Butler is the lone Westlock skater on a team predominately made up of players from Grande Prairie, Spruce Grove, and St. Albert.

The 15-year-old said he's honoured to represent Westlock at the event.

'It's pretty awesome I get to do that," he said.

Butler's coach for the Fort Saskatchewan Rangers, Tylor Valin, said his player is more than deserving of a roster spot.

'He's a highly-skilled young man, he works so hard and that's one of his biggest assets," Valin said. 'He's one of those guys that has the mindset to do whatever it takes to win a hockey game, block a shot, take a hit ... whatever it takes, he'll do it."

Valin added Butler's participation in the tournament will be a great step in his development.

'He came to our team at the start of the year, and to see where he finished the season, to see how much he developed throughout the year, from my perspective is pretty neat," Valin said. 'He came so far. He never took a day off."

Butler looks forward to participating in the tournament and squaring off against good competition, including several teammates.

'I'm looking forward to playing some great players that are in that tournament," he said.