While the ice has already been lifted from the Drumheller Memorial Arena, a Drumheller hockey player is enjoying the playoff thrill, so far into the third round.
Shayne Gwinner is in his first year with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the WHL. The Warriors just swept the Medicine Hat Tigers and this Friday starts its series with Edmonton Oil Kings. This is the Eastern Conference Championship. If they win they go on to play the winner of the Tri-City Americans or the Portland Winterhawks for the championship.
“The playoffs is what it is all about, it's so exciting, everything changes,” said Gwinner.
The seventeen year old, son of Randy and Elin, has been having a great rookie season. In December of last year he was named as one of the top 20 skaters in the WHL, in the NHL Preliminary Ranking, and played in 51 games.
In the playoffs he has made some contributions, however he says now with the return of the team’s top line defenseman, Morgan Reilly to the roster, he expects to see some of his ice time curtailed. However, he says depending on injuries and performance as the playoffs continue, he may get back into regular rotation.
Tonight the Edmonton-Moose Jaw series begins in Edmonton. Shayne says his dad will be coming up to watch. So far this season the Warriors are 2-1-1 versus the Oil Kings.
“The third round is pretty good, most rookies don’t get this far,” said Gwinner.
