Adam Wheeldon excited to check out scenery in Alberta North after being dealt to Camrose by Smokies
By Bruce Fuhr
Haircut? Check.
Toothbrush? Check.
Winter jacket? Don’t have one, but where I’m going I had better get one soon.
The Trail Smoke Eaters granted captain Adam Wheeldon his wish by trading the Nelson native to the Camrose Kodiaks of the Alberta Junior Hockey League this week for future considerations.
The trade came as part of wholesale changes recently announced by coach Nick Deschenes, who gutted last year’s roster by also releasing Dylan Bowen, Nathan Browne, Taylor Armbruster and Greyson Reitmeier.
“I kind of knew it was coming after the season we had,” Wheeldon said prior to leaving for Alberta North.
“I talked to coach (Deschenes) of Trail and we kind of decided it would be a good move for me to go somewhere else so I’m very excited to go to Camrose and it’s a good opportunity and hopefully it works out.”
Deschenes came to the Smokies from Grand Forks of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League after Bill Birks was released mid-season from the coaching duties.
The change really didn’t do much for the Smokies as the former Bruins skipper took the BC Hockey League team to a 10-42-2-4 season finishing last in the Interior Division and again missing the playoffs.
With the trading of Wheeldon, team captain for the past season, and the releasing of more players, it appears Deschenes is stripping the Smokies to the bare bones.
“It’s a great atmosphere playing here in the Kootenays with all the fans, and in Trail I’ve enjoyed playing there three years even though we haven’t done as well as I wanted to in Trail,” explained Wheeldon, who totaled 39 points during his playing career in the Silver City.
“I’m really excited to go to a team like Camrose. I’m excited to have a chance to make the playoffs. I just want to have a good year and hopefully it all works out.”
Although he wouldn’t come out and say it, something was brewing between the head coach and team captain that probably wasn’t going to be fixed in the short term. So a change of scenery was the best option for the 20-year-old forward, who celebrated his birthday Monday.
“I’m really excited for the change,” Wheeldon exclaimed after hearing the decision he was headed to a Camrose franchise looking for a bounce-back season after finishing last season fifth in the AJHL South Division.
“That’s something I think I need and Camrose seems like a really good place and a good organization so I feel it should be good.”
However, leaving the Silver City is something Wheeldon definitely did not want to happen.
He joined the Smokies as a 17-year-old following one season with his hometown Nelson Leafs of the KIJHL.
Fans loved the 5’11”, 195-pound veteran for the work ethic he brought to the rink every game.
And Wheeldon loved the fans.
“I absolutely love the town . . . Trail is a good organization but we weren’t winning,” said Wheeldon, frustrated being the leader of the Smokies and not being able to bring the fans playoff action.
“There was a coaching change there. I kind of wanted a change after that. I’m excited to get a new start and I think it’s all going to work out for the best.
Wheeldon left Friday for Alberta north.
After playing in the balmy Kootenays, and living in the Heritage City all of his life, Wheeldon admits moving to Camrose is going to be somewhat of a culture, and weather, change.
“I have to admit I’m a little scared for this weather (in northern Alberta),” Wheeldon smiles.
“I’m not so sure my car is going to work to well up there. I heard it gets really cold up there and I haven’t really experienced anything like that living I the Kootenays.”
“It definitely will be a new experience,” he adds. “I’m going to have to get some different clothes . . . socks, long johns, but I’m excited for the opportunity.”
Ryan Kesler going to Anaheim.
Bobby Lou off to Florida.
When a team is not going well, no matter if it’s the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks or Trail Smoke Eaters, moves are necessary to change the culture from losing to winning.
Adam Wheeldon hopes the change in scenery is a move that he can parlay into solidifying his future goal of playing hockey after junior.
“I’m definitely looking for a scholarship,” he confessed.
“I definitely don’t want to stop playing hockey after my 20-year-old season. I want to go to school and play hockey.”
So I’m hoping this is exactly what I need. A good season on a good team and we’ll see where it takes me from there.”
No doubt with Wheeldon’s great work ethic and never-say-die attitude, good things will happen.
