Looking Back: Dalton Sward
“Play every shift like it’s your last,” is a saying Dalton Sward has lived by through his junior hockey career and he hopes it’s something he can pass along to his younger teammates.
The 20-year old played all five seasons, just 6 games shy of 300, with the Giants, but his overage year was cut short after he suffered an injury. “You can’t take it for granted, and freak accidents can happen, like it happened with me, and it could be done just like that,” said Sward.
Not being able to finish his 20-year old season has been difficult for Sward, “it’s devastating and it’s been a tough time for me. Sitting at home and listening to the fellows struggle is never good. You just want to be out there helping them, but knowing you can’t sucks. But that’s just the way life goes.”
Having experienced first hand how accidents can cut a junior career short, Sward’s advice for his younger teammates is something he was told when he was coming into the League, and that’s to make the most of their time. Sward goes on to explain, “not just here, but use your time wisely like in practice, on days off, or in the gym because that’s when you’re going to get better. Everyone likes playing games, but it’s the practice days and work days that will improve your game.”
The Abbotsford native played his first game in the Western Hockey League at just 15-years old when he was called up. He can’t remember who they were playing against, but what he does remember is that he was “just in awe of all the fans, and [he] was just more happy to be there than anything.” What Sward didn’t know at that time was that he would be playing his entire junior career in front of those same fans.
Not many 20-year olds can say they played their whole junior career with one team, but Sward can and he’s thankful to be able to say that. “I’ve never had to deal with being traded,” said Sward. “It’s something I didn’t want to happen in my last year here. Playing 4 years prior to this year, you think about it in the back of your mind. If I did get traded, I don’t know what I would have done. It’s an honour playing in an organization like this for five years. And the way they treat you is second to none and I’m grateful for that.”
Looking back on his time with the Giants, Sward is grateful for all the friends he made while playing hockey. One former Giant he looked up to was Chad Scharff. “Scharffie was one of the first people I met from the organization,” said Sward. “At the time, he was Assistant Coach. He really helped me through the years and we built a great relationship. I still go to him now for help if I need it.” Because of Scharff’s influence, Sward has done his part in making the younger players feel as comfortable as possible.
The one thing Sward hopes he contributed to the team is that he set the pace for the younger guys. “I’m not an overly skilled guy and I know that,” he said. “I don’t go and try and play a skilled game. I go out there and work hard. There are show horses and there are workhorses. I just try to give it my best every shift and do whatever it takes for my teammates”
His leadership was definitely noticed by his teammates when they voted him Captain of the 2014-15 Vancouver Giants. Sward says, “it’s a huge honour anytime your peers look up to you like that and want to follow you. I was happy, overwhelmed, and thankful. Everyone grows up wanting to be the captain of their team, and to have it come true in my final year of junior was pretty exciting.”
Despite not being able to finish off his overage year the way he wanted to, Sward is grateful for everyone who has helped him along the way. “I’d like to thank the organization, the fans and all the teammates I’ve had for making this memorable,” he said. “And I wouldn’t have been able to make it this far without the support of my family, friends, and billets.”
