The 2016-17 hockey season was a massive year for Bragg Creek’s Dylan Holloway, who got a little bit of everything and then some in his first year of midget eligibility.
With such a fast-paced first year, the 15-year-old finally has time to reflect on all he has accomplished in what he has called his most successful season of hockey so far.
“This has been a really fun year that has gone by quick. There has been a lot of great things happen,” Holloway said.
Holloway’s venture into midget hockey started May 5, 2016 when he was selected in the sixth round (121st overall) of the 2016 Western Hockey League (WHL) Bantam Draft by the Everett Silvertips, making him a full-fledged WHL prospect in the process.
By being a player drafted out of bantam and turning 15 during the 2016-17 season, Holloway, like most players selected during the WHL Bantam Draft, was not eligible to immediately play with the team that drafted him.
Instead, Holloway travelled to Everett, Wash., took part in the Silvertips’ pre-season camp and received offers to sign his junior contract with the team, but declined and returned to Alberta. Holloway came back with much more confidence in his abilities and was prepared to make the next jump in his career.
“I just wanted to improve as much as I could and model my game after what I thought could be an effective player that can go far in hockey,” he said.
The forward did take a big step as a player by cracking the Calgary Flames’ roster for the 2016-17 Alberta Midget AAA Hockey League (AMHL) season.
Holloway was just one of three 2001-born players on the Flames this season and really stepped for his team midway through the season after getting accustomed to the level of play in the AMHL.
“At the beginning, it took a bit to get used to the pace (of the game),” Holloway said. “I wanted to make an impact as a 15-year-old. I wanted to improve and play in key situations (for the team).”
The Bragg Creek product finished his rookie season with 20 points (13g, 7a) in 31 regular season games and earned 10 points (3g, 7a) in eight playoff games.
Holloway’s first year in midget came to an end in March when his team was eliminated in the second round of the Alberta Midget AAA Hockey League (AMHL) playoffs by the CFR Chemical Bisons in four games.
Midway through the AMHL season, Holloway made a major decision in his hockey career when he verbally committed to joining the University of Wisconsin Badgers in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
Holloway’s first year as a Badger is still a few years away, but due to his commitment, he is no longer eligible to play in the WHL or he will have to waive his agreement with Wisconsin.
“I went to Everett’s camp and they wanted me to sign, but my dad told me to keep my options open and that I could always sign with (the Silvertips later),” Holloway said. “I appreciate everything Everett did for me, but right now a better fit for me would be the NCAA route.”
The whirlwind year came full circle for Holloway May 1 when he was drafted for the second time in the span of 365 days, this time being selected in the fourth round (50th overall) of the 2017 United States Hockey League (USHL) Draft by the Chicago Steel. Holloway was just the fourth Canadian and first player from Alberta selected in the draft.
Holloway added he believes his selection in the draft came because of his commitment to the Badgers and saw the USHL as a feeder league into the NCAA.
Now officially in the off-season, Holloway is working toward and preparing for the upcoming hockey season, but has two major goals in mind for where he would like to play next season.
One of those goals include him joining the Steel and playing a few years in the USHL before university, while the other is cracking the Okotoks Oilers roster in the Alberta Junior Hockey League and playing amongst the junior ranks.
“My goal is to play junior (hockey) because I feel like my development will (benefit more),” Holloway said.
