Jordan King was like a kid in the candy store playing mini-sticks with elementary students at Cumberland North Academy in Amherst, N.S., on Wednesday.
King, along with teammate and Corner Brook native Brady Griffin-Hefford, were two members of the Amherst Ramblers who volunteered to serve up the Christmas dinner for the students and hang out with the youngsters as part of the team’s continued commitment to be engaged with the community that supports the Maritime Junior A Hockey League team.
The Corner Brook native has become the face of the franchise over the past two seasons. He is the team’s captain and leading scorer who is second overall in league scoring at the Christmas break as a 20-year-old in his final year of junior eligibility.
Winning a championship in his final season is his goal. He has enjoyed being a Rambler and appreciates the support of the fans who follow the team so he wants to reward them.
“I’ve been here for three years so that’s the main goal,” he said. “I just want to enjoy it while I can where I only have a few months left.”
King said the team is sitting in good position — third in the Eastlink South Division, heading into the Christmas break — but he wants the team to start piling up wins in the New Year with hopes of moving up the standings and securing home-ice advantage in the playoffs.
“We just added some new pieces to the team so we’re still trying to get some chemistry,” he said.
King will return to Corner Brook on Sunday to start a 10-day break.
He’s looking forward to hanging out with family and friends, and the only hockey he plans on playing while he’s relaxing is the annual Western Kings alumni hockey game which he figures will be played Dec. 22 but the date hasn’t been confirmed yet.
Being away from family and friends all year long means some lonely times because there isn’t frequent interaction with those at home so getting to spend time with family during the holidays is extra special when life took him away from familiar faces.
“When you’re away you definitely appreciate it more. You value Christmas a little bit more than if you were living at home.”
King is eager to get home for the break. I guess it’s safe to say opposing goalies are happy to get a break from him.
