Michael Garteig is determined to make a good impression at the Canucks Young Stars Classic Sept.16 to 19 at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
The former Powell River King and Penticton Vee said returning to the Okanagan has been on his mind and there is excitement about the atmosphere and familiar faces, but he doesnāt want to put any pressure on himself.
āI donāt want to add any outside distractions. Itās all about whatās gonna happen on the ice. Focusing on my game and how I can play to benefit myself, but also the team.ā
The Canucks prospect remembers watching the Young Stars Classic when he was with the Vees and watched his friend Ryan Howse when he was a Calgary Flames prospect.
āIt was cool, high caliber hockey,ā said Garteig. āItās pretty cool that I will be playing in that now.ā
Garteig, who helped the Vees win an RBC Cup in 2012, signed with the Canucks when he completed his four-year career in the National Collegiate Athletic Association with the Quinnipiac Bobcats. Garteig and the Bobcats lost the Frozen Four championship 5-1 to the North Dakota Fighting Hawks.
Garteig spent the summer in his hometown of Prince George where he focused on his weight, gaining strength and working on his skills on ice. Garteig also spent late August on the ice with the BCHLās Prince George Spruce Kings.
āIt was really good because they were in training camp mode. They were all trying to make the team,ā said Garteig. āVery competitive.ā
Garteig faced shots which helped him prepare for Vancouver and he was thankful to the junior A club for allowing him to skate with them.
āIt was good caliber,ā he said of the playersā shots. āI think they are going to have a pretty good team this year. Obviously itās pretty hard to compete with teams like Penticton.ā
During his training Garteig shed 20 pounds to get down to 184 pounds. In losing that weight, Garteig noticed he is quicker.
āI never thought of body weight affecting the way I played. I have always played a little bit heavier,ā he said. āI feel a little bit faster, better shape then general.ā
When it comes to this weekend, Garteig has also thought about putting on the Canucks jersey, which he said will be āreally cool.ā
Garteig hasnāt been back to Penticton since he played there.
āItās always exciting coming back to somewhere you had so much success,ā he said. āWinning an RBC in Penticton was obviously one of the more memorable years of hockey in my life. Itās going to be really special to put on a Vancouver Canucks jersey. Get to play in front of family and friends.ā
Single and double-header tickets are still available for purchase and can be bought at the Valley First Box Office, by phone 1.877.763.2849 or online at www.valleyfirsttix.com.
2016 CANUCKS YOUNG STARS PRACTICE ICE TIMES
DATE Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā TIME Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā ICE Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā TEAM*
Sept. 15 Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 2:00 pm Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā SOECĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Vancouver Canucks
Sept. 16 Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 9:00 amĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā SOECĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Winnipeg Jets
9:15 amĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā OH Training CentreĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Calgary Flames
10:30 amĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā SOEC Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Vancouver Canucks
10:45 amĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā OH Training CentreĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Edmonton Oilers
Sept. 17 Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 9:15 amĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā OH Training CentreĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Winnipeg Jets
10:30 amĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā SOECĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Edmonton Oilers
10:45 am Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā OH Training CentreĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Calgary Flames
12:00 pm Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā SOECĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Vancouver Canucks
Sept. 18 Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 9:15 amĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā SOEC Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Vancouver Canucks
12:30 pmĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā OH Training CentreĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Edmonton Oilers
1:30 pmĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā OH Training CentreĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Calgary Flames
Sept. 19 Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 8:30 am Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā SOECĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Vancouver Canucks
9:15 amĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā OH Training CentreĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Calgary Flames
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*Ice dates and times are subject to change
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