So far, life in the Western Hockey League is suiting Keegan Kanzig just fine.
The native of Athabasca has played over 20 games with the Victoria Royals in this, his first season of major junior hockey. His acclimation to the new level of competition hasn’t taken that long, as he is already proving himself to be a stalwart member of the Royals defense corps.
Playing and living in beautiful Victoria, British Columbia is another plus for the young athlete.
“Things are great. I’m loving the city. It’s a great group of guys to play with, a good coaching staff and a great organization as well. They do things right,” he said. “The team and coaching staff, they’re making me a better player.”
That’s an impressive feat given that Kanzig was already an impact player before lacing up his skates in the WHL. That’s why the Royals (then the Chilliwack Bruins) made him their first round draft pick, seventh overall, in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft. He turned heads with his play for the Alberta Major Midget Hockey League’s Fort Saskatchewan Rangers, competed in the 2010 Alberta Cup and was a member of Team Alberta at the 2011 Canada Winter Games in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
But that’s not to say the young defenseman had an easy transition to make when he suited up for the Royals.
“It definitely took a little while to get up to speed. I’m still working on getting better every day to try and be a better player at this level,” he said. “I’m a shut down D-man, I just stand and play defensively. I’m trying to focus on making the simple plays and not worry too much about doing complicated plays.”
It’s that kind of focus that has earned him a spot on Team Pacific at the World Under-17 Challenge in Windsor, Ontario beginning Dec. 29. Keegan will join 21 other top prospects from Alberta and British Columbia on Team Pacific in proudly wearing his nation’s colors.
“It’s a great honor to get the chance to represent Canada,” he said.
Of course, any hockey player knows to take things one game at a time, and his trip to Windsor is still a long ways off. There’s still a lot of hockey to be played for the Royals before the new year, and one of those games will be very special. On Wednesday, Dec. 14, Keegan and the Royals will be in Edmonton to battle the Oil Kings in what will be his first chance to play WHL hockey in front of his friends and family. In fact, a bus full of them is already filling up, as fans and supporters will make the trip from Athabasca to cheer him on.
“That’s going to be awesome,” he said. “I’m just going to focus on playing my game and keeping my game up so I’ll be in the lineup.”
If he keeps delivering on the blueline like he has been all season, he’ll certainly be one of the Royals that hits the ice at Rexall Place in December. And he’ll probably be the one getting the most cheers.
