Part 1 of 5
Growing up in Mayerthorpe, Alta., Koehn Ziemmer was bitten by the rodeo bug watching his cousins ride at his grandparents’ ranch but his aspirations to become a bull rider began to wane at age 11 when he started playing rep hockey.
“When I was three or four it was either hockey or bull riding,” said ZIemmer. “My cousin, Kreo Ziemmer, was a steer rider who went to the Calgary Stampede and I used to ride calves when we were branding when I was a kid. I think I went the right way with hockey but I’ve got some buddies who are bull riders and they’re doing quite well. I spent a lot of time on the farm, so I’ve got a lot of farm strength.”
Ziemmer has gained a reputation as a feisty winger not afraid to go into the corners to take on big players. He’s been a fixture all year on NHL Central Scouting’s list of potential first-round draft picks for the June draft. Ziemmer knows how close it is now that teammates Ethan Samson, Jaxsen Wiebe and Chase Wheatcroft have signed with NHL teams.
Ziemmer hit the 40-goal mark after a two-goal game March 18 against Victoria and his 41 goals and 89 points ranked third-best on the team and ninth best in the WHL during the regular season.
The Cougars open the playoffs Friday at CN Centre against the Tri-City Americans.
“We match up well against them, we’ve got a physical team and we’re playing good at the right time,” said Ziemmer. “Obviously the travel (12 hours by bus to Kennewick, Wash.) is going to be a little hectic but you can’t think about that and just play hockey."
