Robert Kincaid is not sure where his hockey career will take him in the long term, but in the short term he knows he will going to Kelowna, B.C this summer.
That is because, the Kelowna Rockets in the Western Hockey League (WHL) selected the 14-year-old Barrhead defenceman in the ninth round of its bantam draft May 4.
The WHL is a major junior hockey league based in western Canada. The WHL along with similar leagues in Quebec and Ontario constitute the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), which many consider the highest level of junior hockey.
“It’s really been a surreal experience,” Kincaid said.
Shortly before the draft, Kincaid took part in the Alberta Cup as part of the northwest team.
The event is a two-day round robin tournament where eight all-star zone teams compete — Kincaid’s team took silver.
It is his play during the Alberta Cup, which he believes helped push him to get drafted.
The Alberta Cup is heavily scouted by not only WHL teams, but those from other leagues, such as the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
“I knew some teams were interested in me,” he said, adding seven other teams called his parents to say they were interested.
Like many youngsters, Kincaid started his hockey career young, learning how to skate when he was three years old. When he was five, Kincaid played his first organized hockey game on one of Barrhead’s initiate teams.
However, by the time he reached the Pee Wee level, when he was 10 years old, Kincaid and his family decided in order for him to bring his hockey skills to the next level he needed to play against stronger competition, so they decided to make the jump to Pee Wee ‘AA’ in Morinville.
After playing for two years there, Kincaid once again decided he needed to push his comfort level, so he went to the bantam St. Albert Sabres’ open tryout.
“I didn’t actually think I had a chance to make the team. I just wanted to go and find out how I would do,” he said, adding that is why he is so pleased about being drafted by the Kelowna Rockets.
In addition to being drafted, the team invited Kincaid to its rookie camp in August.
Kelowna is considered to be one of the best organizations in the WHL. Since the team moved to the city in 1995, they have only missed the playoffs once and have reached the Memorial Cup tournament three times.
“Plus their ‘D’ coach made Shea Weber who Shea Weber is,” Kincaid said.
Weber currently plays with the Montreal Canadiens. Over his 12-year NHL career he has been named to six all-star teams and played on the 2014 Canadian gold medal Olympic team.
If he had to compare himself to a NHL player, Kincaid said Erik Karlsson, of the Ottawa Senators, fits his game the best.
“I’m an offensive defenceman and I like to join the rush and generate as many chances as I can,” he said, adding his other strengths are his skating, passing and decision making ability.
As for the areas in his game Kincaid believes needs improvement it would be on the physical side of the game. At 5’11’’ and weighing 165 lbs, he wants to become stronger and put more muscle on his frame. He would also like to have a quicker release on his shot.
His mother Debbie said he is always looking for ways to improve his game.
“He really is a dedicated athlete and works tremendously hard,” she said, noting that after the interview Kincaid would be going to a training session with local skating coach Chris Driessen.
“I really want to thank her. Without her help I wouldn’t be the player I am,” Kincaid said, adding his family has been especially supportive. “My parents and everyone in my family have been great. They never told me that I had to do or play somewhere. They just support me, in whatever I decide to do.”
Debbie noted Robert’s younger brother, Connor, 13 is especially excited about his brother’s success.
“He really is his biggest fan,” she said.
However, Kincaid said whatever he has achieved in his life, couldn’t have happened without his faith.
When asked about his future hockey plans, Kincaid said he wasn’t sure and that he hoped to take advantage of opportunities as they came along.
“Right now, I’m just excited to be drafted and be able to go to Kelowna,” he said.
