These are thrilling times for local minor hockey product Brett Bulmer.
On Tuesday night, the 19-year-old forward was part of a Game 7 playoff win in the American Hockey League. Skating in Milwaukee, Bulmer and his Houston Aeros teammates defeated the Milwaukee Admirals 4-2 in the capper of the league's West Division final. With the victory, the Aeros advanced to the Western Conference final against the Hamilton Bulldogs.
"It feels great," Bulmer said moments after the game via cell phone. "They battled and we were able to come out on top with some big plays down the stretch. Everyone's really excited right now."
Casey Wellman scored the winning goal for the Aeros at the 18:39 mark of the third period when he kept the puck on a two-on-one break and fired glove side on Milwaukee goaltender Jeremy Smith. Houston's Warren Peters added an empty-netter moments later and sealed the victory.
Playing in a Game 7 at the professional level didn't intimidate the talented P.G. teen one bit.
"I love pressure games and big situations," said Bulmer, who skated on a line with Carson McMillan and Jarod Palmer and helped create a go-ahead goal by McMillan early in the final frame. "For me, I was very excited to be a part of it and I'm glad we're moving on because this hockey is very fun for me."
Bulmer, a second-round National Hockey League draft pick of the Minnesota Wild last summer, was called up to the AHL affiliate Aeros after his Western Hockey League season with the Kelowna Rockets ended. In the series against the Admirals, he saw action in all seven games, three of which went to overtime.
"I didn't really know if I was going to play [after the call-up] but once I got here they told me I was going to play," he said. "They're happy to have me here and it's pretty huge for me moving forward in my hockey career and just being that much closer to the NHL. This is a lot of experience for me as a 19-year-old."
Adjusting to the pro ranks has gone smoothly.
"I kind of got used to it right away," said Bulmer, born and raised in Prince George. "It's just a stronger [game] and maybe guys are smarter and can think quicker with the puck."
The Western Conference final -- another best-of-seven affair -- will start Friday in Houston. The east final features the Charlotte Checkers and Binghamton Senators. The winning teams will clash in the Calder Cup championship series.
In late April, Bulmer signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Wild.
"I've been thinking about [buying] maybe a truck or an SUV," he said with a laugh.
"[Signing the contract] is another step to playing in the NHL. I had a pretty good year in Kelowna and that allowed me to sign. Then they wanted to bring me in here so obviously good things are coming from all this."
