When Edmonton Oiler right winger Jordan Eberle scored his first NHL goal Thursday night against the Calgary Flames, cheers rang out from his hometown of Regina.
Of course, this is not the first time a Saskatchewan community could be proud of an NHLer – there are many players throughout the decades from the Land of the Living Skies. From Wendel Clark, to Mike Sillinger and now Jordan Eberle and Toronto Maple Leaf Tyler Bozak, the province has had plenty to cheer for.
“It’s kind of neat seeing a home town guy play in the NHL,” Regina Pats’ left winger and Tampa Bay Lightning draftee Carter Ashton said.
Pats’ Scout Todd Ripplinger has seen many Saskatchewan players perform well in the NHL. Eberle is just the most recent.
“They’ve become role models for our kids in Regina and surrounding area,” Ripplinger said. “It’s good to see another Regina kid playing in the NHL.”
Eberle’s former teammate Garrett Mitchell is used to seeing Eberle compete like he did against the Flames.
“It was an unbelievable goal, but at the same time, it didn’t really surprise me that much,” he said. “I’ve seen it before.”
For Mitchell, he grew up watching players from his hometown of Regina like Ryan Getzlaf, Chris Kunitz and Barrett Jackman. Mitchell was drafted in the sixth round by the Washington Capitals. Knowing Eberle is making an impact is pushing him to do the same.
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“Everyone has always said “˜He’ll never make it, he’s too small’,” Mitchell said. “I think every time he’s always stepped up to what people have thought of him and done more.”
It may be the local culture, or just the harsh winters, but Saskatchewan produces a certain type of player.
“We’ll always develop the hard-nosed, hardworking player,” Ripplinger said. “Will they be the most skilled guy? Sometimes not.”
He hopes the high number of Saskatchewan and Regina players in the NHL keeps up.
“We’re kind of under the radar a little bit population wise but there always seems to be guys in the NHL from Regina,” Ripplinger said. “Let’s hope this keeps up.”
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