Cody Drover was an alternate for the provincial 15U male hockey team last year, but he’s eager to change his status this season.
Drover, a Port aux Basques native who turns 15 in October, was among the elite provincial team prospects in all age groups, both male and female, who participated in the 2018 Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador High Performance Program training camp held this week at the Corner Brook Civic Centre.
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Drover and Deer Lake native Jonathan Park were the only two players from the west coast who were invited to the camp as top prospects for the 16U male team that will be representing the province at the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, Alta.
A product of the Port aux Basques minor hockey system, Drover played for his bantam all-star team last winter but the season before he got a taste of provincial AAA bantam hockey as a member of the Western Kings.
Being afforded a chance to attend camp with other Games hopefuls is an exciting time for the lanky winger so he’s been working hard to ensure the coaching staff notices him on the ice.
He’s been enjoying the fast pace of the on-ice sessions and always enjoys meeting players from all over the island, so it’s been a great experience for him.
He knows there is a fair amount of talent for the coaches to pick from but he believes the hard work he’s put in over the past year should improve his chances.
He is known for his strong work ethic and tenacity on the puck going to the tough areas of the ice in an effort to create scoring opportunities and that’s something he wants to continue doing because that’s what he feels he can bring to the team.
Wearing the provincial colours as one of the best U16 male players in the province would be a happy time for him so he’s just focused on being the complete player he can be and let the coaches decide if he has what it takes.
“It would be amazing. I would love to make it,” he said. “I’m just working as hard as I can to make the team.”
