Little did Myles Mattila know when he scored the first goal in four years for the Quesnel atom development team, at the Osoyoos Fiesta Tournament last March, he would end up on the blueline at Rogers Place, singing the national anthem with his idols, the Vancouver Canucks.
But that is exactly what happend Jan. 20 when the Canucks faced the San Jose Sharks at Rogers Arena.
“I was speechless, I thought my dad was joking,” Myles said to describe his initial reaction to the news he would be standing alongside the Canucks during the singing of the national anthem.
With mother nature working against him, Myles arrived in Vancouver six hours late as a result of an early morning snow storm, but that didn’t dampen his excitement as he and his parents made their way to Rogers Arena for a tour of the dressing room and then to put on his hockey gear for his appearance with the Canucks.
“It was amazing,” Myles said with a wide-eyed grin.
“It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Myles admitted to being a bit nervous as he stood next to Canucks 6-2 forward Manny Malhotra during the singing of the national anthems, but said he didn’t make any mistakes singing the anthem.
During the latter part of the game Myles was given a seat behind the San Jose net, another treat he said.
“I got to see the plays happening when the Canucks scored,” he said.
Myles, 11, who easily handled a few questions in French during our interview, has been playing hockey in Quesnel since he was four.
The goal, a wristshot from the slot, was a big achievement for the team from Quesnel and the moment was not lost on Myles who celebrated the goal with a classic slide on the ice.
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Myles submitted the photo to the We Stand on Guard For Thee contest which gives minor hockey players the opportunity to enjoy a pre-game skate and belt out the national anthem alongside their favourite team.
But goal or not, one thing is clear, Myles plays hockey for the love of the game and not the glory.
Myles admitted one of his favourite things about playing hockey, is making a good pass on a 2-on-1 rush that ends up with a teammate getting a goal.
“I like meeting new people and having some fun,” Myles said were his favourite things about playing hockey.
“I like skating and have lots of fun shooting,” he added.
Unlike most travellers, Myles said he remained calm as his flight from to Vancouver from Prince George was delayed time and again as a result of snow conditions.
He only had one thought.
“So long as I make it in time to skate with the Canucks,” he said.
That he did.
Now, Myles, a student at École Baker, is looking forward to playing with his Quesnel Thunder atom teammates with his own dream at the back of his mind.
“Play in the NHL,” he said matter-of-factly.
“I know it won’t be easy, but you have to try.”