When the Airdrie Xtreme Bantam AAA hockey team lost in the first round of the playoffs, Kristopher Leclair was obviously upset.
But the 5’7” first-year forward soon got an opportunity to prolong his season, as he was picked up the Calgary ‘97 Nationals spring team for a series of upcoming tournaments – the biggest of which being the ‘97 World Selects Invitational in Prague, Czech Republic from April 18 to 24.
His 13-day trip to Europe, which will include a series of exhibition games in Germany as well as several historical excursions, will begin on April 13.
“It will be a pretty good experience, playing at the international level,” said Leclair, 14, who tallied five points in 31 games during his rookie year with the Xtreme. “Next season is a pretty big year for me, so it’s good to stay in the flow of hockey.”
Leclair has several former teammates participating in next week’s Alberta Cup and who are preparing for the WHL Bantam Draft next month and hopes to follow in their footsteps next year.
Playing on the international ice, which is 15 feet wider than North American surfaces, should benefit the Calgary Nationals, he says.
“There is an Olympic-size ice in Calgary we’ve practiced on a few times and we have a practice when we go to Europe,” Leclair said. “Our team aren’t really big hitters, so we’re probably going to have to rely on speed and stick handling skill. I do like to hit, though, and I’m one of the guys that brings the energy to the ice.”
“It is something he’ll need to do if he plans on trying out for the Xtreme again next season,” said his mother, Kathy Wedge. “He needs to do his best to stay in shape and this could bring something different to his game.”
The Nationals was put together for the spring season, specifically for the WSI tournament and follow-ups in Burnaby, B.C. and in Springbank.
“It’s kind of a short season, because they started practicing April 1 and will be done at the end of May,” Wedge said.
Nels Eckland, who led Team Alberta to bronze during February’s Canada Winter Games, is coaching the Calgary-based team, which includes Leclair from Airdrie, one player from Lethbridge and two from Okotoks. It will take on teams from Sweden, Russia and Finland in the opening round of the tournament.
In addition to the WSI, team members will visit Munich’s Marienplatz and BMW museum, Neuschwanstein Castle in Fussen, the Dachau concentration camp and Prague Castle.
“He has a keen interest in the historical aspect of anything to with the Second World War,” Wedge said. “Just to walk the grounds that the prisoners did will be an emotional experience.”
“I’m really looking forward to the concentration camp because I’m into the history of World War II,” said Leclair, who will be out of class for eight school days, but will have a series of assignments to complete during the trip.
“I’m interested in how the battles played out and how it changed our world.”
