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Written by Dale Woodard
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Saturday, September 20 2008, 11:57 PM |
Who says you can’t come home again? Don’t tell that to Cason Machacek.
When the Kootenay Ice paid a visit to the Enmax Centre Friday night to face the Lethbridge Hurricanes in their Western Hockey League home opener, the local product did just that.
While the first-year member of the Ice didn’t check into the Hurricanes dressing room prior to Friday night’s tilt, Machacek was indeed in familiar territory, having seen many ’Canes games while playing minor hockey in Lethbridge.
Who says you can’t come home again? Don’t tell that to Cason Machacek.
When the Kootenay Ice paid a visit to the Enmax Centre Friday night to face the Lethbridge Hurricanes in their Western Hockey League home opener, the local product did just that.
While the first-year member of the Ice didn’t check into the Hurricanes dressing room prior to Friday night’s tilt, Machacek was indeed in familiar territory, having seen many ’Canes games while playing minor hockey in Lethbridge.
The Ice hit the road with one point after Lethbridge pulled out a 4-3 shootout victory, but for the 17-year-old defenceman it was nice to come home again, however briefly.
“It’s always fun,” said the six-foot, 175-pound Machacek. “All my friends were in the stands and just playing the team I watched when I grew up was lots of fun.”
With his WHL career just kicking off, it’s a safe bet there will be future visits back to the Enmax Centre for the Kootenay rookie.
He may have headed one province to the west to start his WHL career, but you won’t hear any complaints from Machacek.
“So far, it’s going really well,” said Machacek, who played his second game in Ice silks on Friday night.
“All the veterans have welcomed me with open arms. They’ve all guided me and showed me how to be a successful player in this league.”
Rookie or not, the Ice have already trusted Machacek with a regular shift in addition to easing him into some special teams play.
“I’ve seen mostly even-strength (shifts), but some also some penalty killing and (shifts) late in the game too, which is nice,” said Machacek, still looking for his first point two games into the season.
His WHL career is just beginning, but Machacek’s older brother, Spencer, just closed the books on his days in the WHL last year as a member of the Vancouver Giants.
Spencer is now attending the Atlanta Thrashers camp, looking to earn a spot on the NHL squad. Failing that, he’ll start the season with the Thrashers farm team in Chicago.
As the younger Machacek looks to make his mark in the WHL, he said he has hit his sibling up from some big brotherly advice.
Spencer has happily obliged his younger brother.
“He’s told me what I can get away with and what I can’t at my age, (and to) make my decisions and live by them,” said Machacek.
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