Chapter 12: Gavin Haslam
Gavin Haslam played the last two seasons with the French River Rapids of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League.
He had 31 points, seven of which were goals, in 102 games with the organization. A new season arrived, and with it, a new opportunity for Gavin. He moved away from his home province for the first time and attended Dauphin Kings training camp.
The smooth-skating 18-year-old impressed Doug Hedley and his staff immediately. He made the team's opening roster and officially became a Dauphin King.
"It's been amazing. I came in with high expectations and have loved every second," said Haslam. "Everyone has welcomed me. The facility is incredible, and we have a great coaching and support staff. Our room is amazing."
Gavin says, at times, it's tough being away from home. He's 24 hours away, but he wouldn't change it for the world. He's fully embraced the junior hockey lifestyle and wherever the journey will take him.
"I would do it again over and over, I think it's all worth it," added Haslam.
Gavin started skating when he was three. He loved watching his brothers play. Liam Haslam is currently playing in the top league professionally in Denmark. He played 23 games in Sweden last season. Calum Haslam, meanwhile, is playing NCAA Division 3 hockey with Concordia College.
The youngest of the three brothers, Gavin, played house league in Etobicoke and quickly rose up the ranks. He started playing AAA in his minor atom year. In his Ontario Hockey League draft year, Gavin played with the Mississauga Rebels U16 AAA team. He had five points in 36 games.
On draft day, he waited for his name to be called. It never was. For the first time in his young and blossoming hockey career, Gavin hit a roadblock. He had expected to be drafted. So when he wasn't, he knew he had to dig even deeper.
Instead of crumbling, Gavin stayed focused. Hockey had been his passion for years, and he wasn't ready to give up the dream of playing at the next level.
"It was definitely hard. I gave myself about a day to be mad about it," said Haslam. "I knew it wasn't the end of the world. There are so many guys that pack it in after they don't get drafted. I knew I had to stick with the journey and respect the process."
15 years after first lacing up the stakes and a couple of years removed from the heartbreak of not being drafted, Gavin Haslam is making a name for himself in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. His first two assists came on October 11 against the Winnipeg Monarchs. Seven days later, he hit the back of the twine for the first time.
In a 6-0 win against the Monarchs on October 18, Gavin scored his first goal as a King and first in the MJHL. Haslam means business. He comes to the rink with his work boots on. He's often the first one to arrive at the rink and the last one to leave.
Hockey means everything to him. So when he scored his first junior goal at the MJHL level, it was a moment he'll never forget.
"It felt amazing. I remember Madden Murray feeding me backdoor, and I put it under the bar," continued Haslam. "It was an amazing first MJHL goal. And for it to happen at home, it truly was one of the best experiences that I could ask for."
In his 102 NOJHL games, Gavin had seven goals. With his goal in Dauphin's win against Swan Valley on Wednesday, the rearguard now has four goals. Gavin also has four assists for eight points.
"I think I'm stepping into a role and finally getting my feet under me," added Haslam. "I'm playing well and playing consistently. I love my role and the fact that the coaching staff has trust in me, that's what it is all about."
The Kings started their season with 10 wins in their first 13 games. They were 10-2-1 and in cruise control. Then, they went cold for two weeks. They lost four straight games and allowed teams to catch up to them in the MGEU West Division.
Since the team is back on track. After Wednesday's win, they've won three straight. They're now three points ahead of Virden and 10 points ahead of both Neepawa and Waywayseecappo. Dauphin is 14 points ahead of fifth place in the division.
At 13-6-1, Dauphin has scored 80 goals this year and given up 52. Their 52 against are the fourth-fewest in the league. Dauphin also has the fewest penalty minutes in the league. They have just 262.
"We just hopped on each other's shoulders and started pushing at practice," continued Haslam. "Everyone was holding one another accountable. We're playing like a team again. That's what got us through the dry streak, and now, we're producing again."
Dauphin returns to action on Friday night when the Steinbach Pistons are in town. 14 goals were scored the last time these two teams played. Steinbach scored eight of them.
"This is my third year playing junior, and I think this is the closest team that I've played on," commented Haslam. "All the boys love each other. We have a bunch of chemistry, and our lines are starting to click. That's what makes us special."
Get To Know Gavin:
Did you ever want to be a forward? I never had that thought. I found out that defencemen don't always have to play defensively; we can take on many different roles. I describe myself as a two-way puck-moving defenceman. I fell in love with the game as a defender.
What are some of your hobbies? Honestly, all I do in the summer is work, play hockey, and I love the gym. Most of what I do is honing my craft as a hockey player.
What's your favourite family memory? Being with my mom and dad. They've been by my side since I was born. They've been nothing but loving and caring. They give me the confidence I need. They're always there for me, encouraging and pushing me.
Who's an inspiration for you? I would say my grandma. She always has good things to say about me. She pushes me to do everything. If she catches me slacking, she says that's not going to happen. She says I need to do it, or I'll regret it. She's always been there.
Is there anywhere you'd like to travel? I would love to see my brother play in Denmark.
If you had a 2-on-1 with anyone on the team, who would it be, and why? I would say Ash Mitchelmore. He's a playmaker.
You can hear Gavin's full chat with Darnell Duff during the Dauphin Kings Power Play Show. It airs on Friday afternoon at 4.