To say it's been an exciting past year for Roblin's Aidan Brook would be an understatement.
He was invited to Hockey Manitoba's Top 40 Camp, he was drafted by the WHL's Seattle Thunderbirds, and now, he's been drafted by the MJHL's OCN Blizzard.
Aidan was drafted 23rd overall, which makes him the highest Parkland Bantam Ranger picked in this year's draft.
"It's pretty cool to be drafted again," said Brook. "You don't really expect anything. It's a great feeling to be drafted by them."
Being drafted twice in a matter of months is a true testament to the work Aidan continues to put in on the ice, and off the ice as well.
"I've just been working on everything I can to get better," said Brook. "I need to get a lot stronger, but, everything's been coming together well lately. So, I just need to keep working hard so it stays that way."
Being just 14-years-old, the Roblin native won't be playing in the MJHL or WHL next season, but he doesn't expect to be waiting long for the opportunity.
"I'm hoping I can make the jump to the MJ or WHL at 16 for sure," said Brook. "But, well have to see how I progress with my game, and If I get bigger and stronger."
Leading up to next season, Brook is happy with where he's at, but he knows the work can't stop now.
"I'm definitely happy with where I am, and how I'm playing right now," said Brook. "I just need to get a little faster, little stronger, and keep my head up so I can make some smarter plays."
Step one of making the Seattle Thunderbirds was taking part in "Rookie Spring Camp" which took place this past weekend in Edmonton.
"It was a super cool experience," said Brook. "They showed us a lot of new things, including some new workouts and how we can get stronger. It was also pretty great getting to meet some new people, and I built some lifelong friendships."
The Camp provided Aidan the opportunity to play with all of the Thunderbirds draft picks, and protected players in the organization, and he thinks he definitely came out as a better player.
"I definitely came out a better player," he added. "I'm more experienced now. And, I have a lot more stuff to work on that's going to help me become a better hockey player."
Aidan will look to follow in his brother's footsteps. Josh Brook plays for the Moose Jaw Warriors in the WHL, and that's where Aidan wants to be.
"It's always in the back of my mind," said Brook. "I want to be better than him. But, I can't really focus on that right now. I just have to do my thing."
Aidan also notes making new friends, and getting to travel around doing what he loves to do, are two things he's loving about the whole process of getting to the next level.
