Airdrie’s Ty Rattie is having a busy summer.
The St. Louis Blues drafted the 18-year-old right-winger in June, before he also accepted a call to tryout for the Canada’s National Junior team – a process that will begin at the summer development camp in Fort McMurray and Edmonton between Aug. 3-7.
It will be the first step for Rattie and the 46 other camp attendees to impress the coaching staff for the upcoming 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship, to be co-hosted by Edmonton and Calgary from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5.
“They’re both right up there,” Rattie said of his draft experience and forthcoming attempt to make Team Canada. “Hearing my named called at the draft and then getting the call from the World Junior coach (Don Hay) – it’s been quite a summer and one I’m never going to forget.”
Rattie, who plays for the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks, said he wants to have a strong camp so he will become one of the players invited to the final selection camp in December, after which a final National Junior Team roster of 22 players will be named for the tournament.
Knowing that the World Juniors are being hosted so close to his hometown hasn’t added any extra pressure, he said, but has added extra incentive to make the team.
“Every Christmas, you’re with your family and friends – and it’s a given that you’re watching it,” he said. “And now that I’m getting the chance to maybe make the team and maybe play near the hometown will be an unreal feeling. Playing in front of family and friends is one thing, but playing for a gold medal at the World Juniors is another thing.”
One benefit he will take into the development camp is knowledge of what to expect. His Portland teammate, and close friend, Ryan Johansen, was a part of Team Canada at last year’s World Juniors and has given him a few pointers.
“I talked to him last week about what to expect,” Rattie said.
“It’s three days on the ice where they see where you’re at in the summer and see how hard you’ve worked. I’ve been working really hard this summer, so I think I’m ready for it. Just being able to put that Team Canada sweater on – it’s a crazy feeling. I think out of everybody, my dad was the most proud of me when I got that call. I’m looking forward to representing my family and representing Airdrie there.”
Rattie has been keeping busy with a rigorous training regimen, with two on-ice sessions and five off-ice workouts at Airdrie’s Explosive Edge every week. He’s already been to St. Louis, for a week in mid-July, to meet members of the Blues organization and participate in more off-ice conditioning.
“It’s pretty crazy going from Airdrie, Alberta, to St. Louis, Missouri, but I really like the place and I’m glad I got drafted there,” he said. “They just said, like every prospect, put some weight on. They’re going to give me a chance this September to make the team, so I’m working hard here and hopefully I show up big.”
He’ll return to Airdrie from the development camp on Aug. 8 and keep training until he departs for St. Louis on Aug. 26. Depending on how he does at Blues camp, he could be playing in the NHL come October, in the AHL with Peoria Rivermen or back with Portland in the WHL.
“It’s exciting – I might be playing in the NHL, so you’ve got that in the back of your head,” Rattie said. “It’s a surreal feeling and I don’t think it has set in yet. Maybe once I get the Blues gear or get to the practice rink it will set in.”
Regardless of where he’ll be playing during the upcoming season, Rattie said he’s looking forward to the next several months, while still making some time right now for those people most important to him.
“It’s a busy summer, but I’m enjoying time with friends and family. I want to spend as much time as I can with them– I’ve had a lot of great times this summer and there’s still lots of it left,” he said. “Since I was drafted to the NHL, you kind of realize that it’s a job now. You’re going to get paid to do it one day, hopefully, and that’s my goal.”
