NO STRANGER TO ‘DOME ICE

There is a picture that sits on Landon Welykholowa’s bedroom wall at his parent’s place in Calgary.

It’s from the early 2000’s when he was around five or six years old. Pictured are Welykholowa with former Hitmen greats Andrew Ladd and Ryan Getzlaf after being selected to skate during the pre-game warmup. A memory that has stood the test of time. 

“I still remember it as clear as day,” he says, adding his room also has a few Hitmen jerseys in it.

As it turns out, it’s a decade later and Welykholowa will soon be playing for the team he grew up idolizing.

“I always grew up watching the guys so being able to play in the jerseys now, it’s huge,” he says.

The 17-year-old started the season with the Victoria Royals, scoring one goal in 18 games before being traded to the Hitmen on Wednesday in a deal that saw 17-year-old forward Braden Oleksyn head the other direction.

Earlier that morning, Welykholowa received a phone call from Royals general manager Cameron Hope while sitting in a Medicine Hat hotel room a few hours before the Royals played the Medicine Hat Tigers. Hope asked him what he thought of the trade to Calgary. “Coming home is always nice,” he said.

A few hours later, it was made official.

The 5’11, 172 pound forward was born and raised in Calgary, coming up through the Calgary Buffaloes Minor Hockey system. He also spent time with the famed Notre Dame Hounds in Wilcox, Saskatchewan.

Last season, he played with the Calgary Buffaloes Midget AAA team of the Alberta Midget Hockey League, scoring 12 goals and 26 points in 34 games played.

The trade creates a fresh start for the Calgarian.

“Coming here is a fresh start. I learned a lot of things there from (Victoria) coach Dave Lowry and the assistant coaches that I’m going to bring to this team so I’m looking forward to it.”

Fans will have to wait and see if he’ll make his Hitmen debut on Friday night at the ‘Dome when they take on the Medicine Hat Tigers.

“I have some pretty good skill and a strong passer. I have to work hard in the corners and battle my way through.”