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Cole Fonstad showcases his hockey talents at a national level

Estevan’s Cole Fonstad continues to attract the attention of Canada’s top hockey talent evaluators. Fonstad attended Hockey Canada’s summer evaluation camp for the World U-17 Hockey Challenge in Calgary from July 27 to Aug. 1.

Estevan’s Cole Fonstad continues to attract the attention of Canada’s top hockey talent evaluators. 

Fonstad attended Hockey Canada’s summer evaluation camp for the World U-17 Hockey Challenge in Calgary from July 27 to Aug. 1. Fonstad and more than 100 other top young players from across Canada were divided into six teams, and participated in practices and scrimmages over a six-day span.

He was part of Team Gold, which went 2-1 in their scrimmages at the evaluation camp and finished third. Fonstad was held off the scoresheet in those three games, but he was still pleased with his performance and the experience as a whole.
“It was awesome, just to see all the guys from around Canada,” said Fonstad. “I haven’t really played with lots of them or against them before, so it was really good to compare myself.”

He believes his play improved each day. He was nervous at first, because he didn’t know what to expect. 

“In the last game, I thought I played really well,” said Fonstad. “I was using my speed and playing with confidence and just doing what I normally do.” 

There were a few kids from Alberta on Team Gold who he had played against previously, but he was the only Saskatchewan player on his squad. He had little time to establish chemistry with his linemates. 

Fonstad believes his inclusion for the selection camp stemmed from his performance with Team Saskatchewan at under-16 tournaments and other competitions. 

But this camp was a step up from tournaments he has competed in previously, as he was facing the elite players in his age group from across Canada. His previous tournaments were usually against the best from Saskatchewan or western Canada. 

The selection camp also featured daily practices from July 27 to 31. Not only did the players become familiar with each other, but they got to interact with the coaches. 

“Everyone gets all these little skills to work on, and if you’re doing something well, they’ll tell you. I had a lot to take away from it,” said Fonstad. 

Fonstad will likely find out in October if he’s included on one of three Canadian teams for the tournament, which will run from Oct. 27 to Nov. 4 in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. 

His attention is now turned to playing for the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League (WHL). Fonstad was selected in the first round, fifth overall, of the WHL Bantam Draft in 2015, and he was the first Saskatchewan bantam player drafted. 

He played a few games as a 15-year-old for the Raiders last season.  

Fonstad believes he is ready to play in the WHL this year. He said he put on about 10 pounds this summer, and has also improved his quickness. 

He believes his participation in the selection camp will only help his chances of making the Raiders this season. 

“It’s awesome to go there and get everything you need to work on, and also get on the ice with all those players,” said Fonstad. “Probably 80 per cent of the kids there are going to be playing major junior this year, and that’s what all of our goals are.” 

Fonstad played minor hockey in Estevan until last year. He spent the 2015-16 campaign with the Moose Jaw Generals midget AAA program.