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Homegrown hero bolsters Thunder

The Airdrie Thunder has been mired in a tough stretch recently, but one player has been elevating his play during the past six weeks.
Kristian Petit, a product of Airdrie Minor Hockey, has provided some much-needed offence since joining the Airdrie Thunder, Nov. 26. He had two goals and two assists in his
Kristian Petit, a product of Airdrie Minor Hockey, has provided some much-needed offence since joining the Airdrie Thunder, Nov. 26. He had two goals and two assists in his team’s key victory over the division rival Cochrane Generals, Dec. 18.

The Airdrie Thunder has been mired in a tough stretch recently, but one player has been elevating his play during the past six weeks.

Kristian Petit, an 18-year-old George McDougall graduate who played minor hockey in Airdrie, has been a standout since joining the club on Nov. 26.

The 5’10”, 180-pound forward, who is originally from Terrace, B.C., spent the start of the season playing for the Kimberley Dynamiters in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League, but he said he’s eager to return and play in front of a familiar crowd.

“Originally, I went to B.C. to play in the KI and after a couple months there were some complications within the team, so right from the beginning I just felt that I needed to come home and play with the Thunder,” Petit said.

“When I first talked to the coaching staff and the general manager before I came out, I did know that my role was to get points and get the puck in the net, so I’ll continue to do that. And it’s good to have that support that is always there, every home game and the odd away game, it’s really good to play in that type of atmosphere.”

His adjustment to the Heritage Junior Hockey League has been quick, as he had 11 points in his first six games after joining the top line with Andrew Bergmann and Travis Wallan. The trio combined for 14 points in its first two games against the Three Hills Thrashers and the Medicine Hat Cubs.

“One of my linemates, (Andrew) Bergmann – I played with him when we were still in minor hockey together, so that definitely helps out,” Petit said. “That’s good for familiarity, as there are so many guys on the team, probably eight or nine, that I’ve played with before. It makes for a pretty comfortable setting and feels like a really good team setting.”

“(Petit) was out in Kimberley in the KI but he just want to come back and play in his hometown and we’re happy to have him,” said Thunder head coach Darryl Einarson. “He can put the puck in the net and do everything, really. He’s very, very skilled and he’s a great kid.”

The Thunder is 4W-2L in Petit’s first six games, but he says the team is getting used to the number of changes that have occurred in the past month and that the Christmas break will be beneficial.

“This break will be good for everyone. There’s been a lot of sudden change in the past few weeks, so it’s probably a shock to the team and everyone is still trying to adjust to the new players,” he said. “Everyone is trying to keep their chins up, but it can get frustrating when you can’t get two consecutive wins. We’re still staying strong, we’re coming together, and hopefully we can turn it around.”

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