When one thinks of the Caribbean, most think of beaches, surf, and the heat... Not an ideal place to become a hockey player I tell you. Oh, I should probably introduce myself. I'm Ferdanand, I'm from Barbados and I really love hockey. Ever since I was able to watch the 2006 Stanley cup between Carolina and Edmonton, and seeing the 'Canes lift the cup, I aspired to go there and do the same. It wasn't going to be easy though, as Barbados has no junior hockey, not even any rinks to skate on.
So, I learned how to rollerblade, and played jr roller hockey until our family picked up and moved to California. Wow, what an experience, that move. I was finally able to convince my family to get me onto a real rink, with real ice and actually play hockey. My first jr team wasn't that good, we only won 10 games, but after that season I was recruited by a team from Southern California (I was living in the north) and I rose up that teams ranks...
At 10 and again at 11, we headed up to Canada for the largest youth tournament that is held in the world. At 12 I was invited to go for a week to Finland for a showcase with KHL teams in attendance. No one looked at me, mostly cause my performance was awful, but it was still the best expierence I had ever had.
By 14, I knew that I wanted to play in Canada, specifically Calgary with Bret Hart's Hitmen. They had always been my favorite, especially after I saw the Pink retro jerseys that they wore. Real men do wear pink, my mother always said. By this point, I had compiled an impressive enough resume that the next year a team based in Detroit called my house and flew me out for a tournament. It ended up turning into two, and then a season..
That was when my life turned around and I could see the light at the end of the tunnel. I was actually seeing my dreams of becoming a pro in front of me, and I was exstatic. From roller hockey in the sun of the Caribbean to a very good jr level player.
Finally, word came to me that the Calgary Hitmen had drafted me in the 3rd round of the Bantam draft. In my only season there, I had 15 goals/21 assists/36 points as a 15 year old in the toughest division of the WHL (the Central). Scouts were in attendance every night, and my dreams were coming closer every game I played.
Finally, I was called into the GM's office. The Houston Bulls had decided to offer me a contract. This was the first step to becoming a legend, and I was ready.
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