Castlegar Rebel Jaedon Little is eager to get the next chapter of his life started.
That’s why the second-year Rebel committed to join the Briercrest College Clippers, where teammate Josh Weins is also headed, for his 20-year-old season.
“I’m pretty excited for it. I chose Briercrest just because I think it’s the best place for me to grow in my faith and develop as a hockey player in a very good Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference while getting my education,” says Little.
He plans to pursue a degree in physical education, then minor in kinesiology. A factor in choosing Briercrest College is its connection to the Prairie Hockey Academy, where he played before joining the Rebels. The programs are connected.
“It was just a good offer that I decided to take up,” he says.
Jennifer Small photo
Little returned to the Rebels after attending the training camp of the LaRonge Ice Wolves in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. It was a positive experience for the Wymark, Sask., product who got to see what Junior A hockey is like.
The biggest things he picked up was to work hard every shift and place a focus on developing into a two-way player. In his rookie season with the Rebels, Little had nine goals and 35 points in 37 games.
Little feels he’s become stronger on the ice and more well-rounded. His teammates helped push him and head coach Carter Duffin with assistant coach Nick Headrick worked a lot with Little on the small details of his skills. He’s enjoyed his time in the Rebels program, saying it’s a great organization in a great community.
“Playing in the KIJHL as well, it was a really good league,” says Little. “It helps you develop each and every night. There are lots of junior A players that end up coming to the KIJHL, whether it’s from not having things work out quite as they planned in Junior A or they decided they wanted to be closer to home or with friends and this makes it a very competitive league. Every night you have to work hard and it helps you become a better player in the long run.”
Little believes playing in the ACAC will be a good experience as he faces teams built of players coming from major junior or Junior A leagues on a nightly basis.
