The next phase of Myles Mattila's hockey career - and of his work away from the game - will take him to Kelowna.
Mattila, an 18-year-old forward who was an assistant captain for the Cariboo Cougars this season, has signed with the Kelowna Chiefs of the Kootenay International Junior (B) Hockey League. As a member of the Chiefs in 2017-18, he'll play for former Prince George resident Jason Tansem, who is the team's head coach.
"Not only is Myles an elite hockey player, he is a high-calibre young man," Tansem said. "Our recruiting efforts focus on building from inside the dressing room out, and Myles is a gigantic addition for us."
As well as being part of the Cougars' leadership group this B.C. Hockey Major Midget League season, the five-foot-10, 180-pound Mattila put up eight goals and 22 points in 38 games. In the playoffs - won by the Cougars - he added one assist in eight contests.
Mattila was also in uniform at last week's Telus Cup national championship tournament at CN Centre but was held without a point in five games. At the Telus Cup awards banquet, however, he was presented with a $500 Esso Kids Scholarship Award from Hockey Canada.
For Mattila, the award was well-deserved. He's a Grade 12 honour-roll student at PGSS and has made a name for himself for his initiatives away from the rink and classroom. As an advocate for youth mental health, he played an integral role in establishing the Cougars' MindRight program, introduced this season to bring awareness to mental health issues that can affect elite young hockey players. His next project, through the PG Youth Action Team, is a youth summit called Balancing Our Minds, which will focus on teaching teenagers about mental health. The summit, May 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Civic Centre, is free of charge to attend and is open to all high school students.
For Mattila, joining the Chiefs organization fits well from life and hockey perspectives.
"With many options available, Kelowna was my preference as I am able to attend university, continue with my mental health initiatives while at the same time playing high-calibre junior hockey in one of the best places in Canada to live," he said. "I feel strongly about being able to focus on school and the program, and the flexibility that Kelowna offers made it very attractive for me."
Mattila is already familiar with Kelowna, as he played there with the Okanagan Rockets during the 2015-16 BCHMML season.
Registration for the Balancing Our Minds summit can be done online through Eventbrite or through the PG Youth Action Team's Facebook page.
The Cariboo Cougars, fresh off a Telus Cup appearance that saw them finish one goal shy of making the playoff round, will be holding their annual spring identification camp Friday through Sunday at Rolling Mix Concrete Arena. Registration starts on Friday at 11 a.m. and the first practice session is scheduled for 12:45 p.m.
Games will begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday and will end at 9 p.m. Games are also slated for Sunday, starting at 8 a.m. and finishing at 1 p.m.
