Hayden-James Berra took a big stride to adding his name to the Prince George Spruce Kings historical records alongside his dad and older brother.
The 17-year-old's dad Renzo has a long history with the Kings' organization as a player, assistant coach, executive and educational director, while his older brother RJay played three full seasons.
"I'm not putting myself in anyone's shadow," said Hayden-James during a break between games Saturday at the Spruce Kings' 2012 spring prospects camp. "I'm just trying to make a name for myself. They made names for themselves and I'm just trying to do the same with no pressure or expectations of what they accomplished when they played."
RJay played for the Kings from 2008 to 2011 collecting 58 goals and 107 points in 154 games. He also served as Kings' captain in his final year. Hayden-James said his hockey style is very different from his older sibling.
"He was a guy who could walk in down the wall and pick the top corner," said Hayden-James. "Me? I'm the type of guy who will put up a point for you by just getting to the net as fast as I can and playing more of an energy role rather than the natural scorer type of player."
The middle Berra brother - 15-year-old Isaiah has set a goal of cracking the midget triple-A Prince George Coast Inn of the North Cougars' lineup in the fall and attending his first Kings' camp in 2013 - scored three goals in the 10 team weekend camp, and earned himself a spot among the Top 40 players, skating in Sunday's top prospects game.
Hayden-James potted a goal for Team White, who lost 3-2 in a shootout.
"It was a relief getting a goal in the last game," said Hayden-James.
Kings' coach Dave Dupas had a busy weekend evaluating more than 160 players from Alaska to California to Minnesota to Ontario who came out for the camp. Luckily, for Hayden-James, he had played one game for the Kings' last season and played with the B.C. Major Midget Cariboo Cougars where he put up 18 goals and 33 points after playing two years of midget triple-A.
Dupas said Hayden-James is more of a lunch-bucket player unlike his flashier brother.
"Hayden's more of a hardworking mucker/grinder kind of guy," said Dupas. "He's got more speed than his brother, probably less finish than his brother at this point, but if he combines the two he'll be a fantastic player. He works hard. He skates well and he gives a complete effort all the time."
It was Hayden-James' third year participating at the Kings' spring camp and having gone through the team's hockey school growing up, he would love to wear the Kings' crest in his hometown, carrying on the Berra tradition.
"Emotionally, I think he'd like to play here," said Renzo Berra. "He's so connected with us playing here and being part of it, but more than anything, I think he wants to make it on his own and he wants to set his footprint somewhere in junior hockey. He hopes that it's here."
