Keegan Kanzig’s first season of play in the Western Hockey League was everything he expected it to be and more.
The native of Athabasca became a mainstay on the blueline for the Victoria Royals in 2011-12. Opposing players found entering the Royals offensive zone to be no easy chore when the big defenseman was on the ice.
But that’s not to say that the transition to major junior hockey was an easy one.
“The calibre of hockey was a huge step up from anything I’d been playing before. It took a bit of adjusting (but) I was getting more comfortable as the season went on,” said Kanzig. “A lot of that is thanks to the good coaches and teammates I had helping me out.”
Though nobody makes it to the WHL without already being a skilled hockey player, Kanzig knew he’d have plenty to work on in order to bring his game up to the level that would be expected of him.
But he wasn’t afraid to do that work, and his dedication paid off as he patrolled the blueline for the Royals in 63 of their 72 regular season games and all four of their playoff games.
The Royals had their share of success in a season when they brought major junior hockey back to a city that had been without it for a number of years. With a 24-41-7 record, they snuck into the playoffs in one of the final spots in the Western Conference and entered a first round playoff matchup with the powerful Kamloops Blazers.
Though Kanzig and his teammates brought everything they had to the series, they were ultimately swept aside in four games and their season came to an end.
“We played a little inconsistent, but when we were at our best, we were a great team. If we could have just played a little more consistent, we would have been more successful,” said Kanzig.
“The playoffs was a different season, everyone was fighting that much harder. We battled hard and gave it our all, but (Kamloops) was just a good team. We played well but they brought their top game and we couldn’t find a way.”
But even if the season ended on a down note, the team enjoyed nothing but support from their hometown fans. Like Winnipeg with their returning Jets, the people of Victoria were just excited to have hockey back and they let the team know it.
“The fans in the city were great. They were really behind us,” he said. “It’s a boost of energy when you’ve got 7,000 fans behind you.”
Though the WHL season is over for Kanzig and his Royals, he continues to work on his skills and develop his play.
Gone are the days when the off-season meant rest and relaxation for a young hockey player. Now athletes like Kanzig must continually challenge themselves as they fight with hungry newcomers for their spots.
“The last couple summers I’ve been working hard, and this summer is going to be another step up,” said Kanzig, who will work out with a trainer and some of his teammates as he prepares for his second WHL season. But he’s not taking his spot for granted.
“There are always new players. You never know what the team is going to look like. I don’t have a spot clinched,” he said.
He plans to spend the summer getting stronger and faster, which can’t be good news for his opponents.
But it will give his friends and family in Athabasca even more to cheer about the next time they see him play.
“When we played in Edmonton (last season) a lot of fans came out. That kind of support is huge. I really appreciate it and I thank everyone for that.”
