ETEM SURFING HIS WAY TO GLORY
Emerson Etem is the definition of California cool.
He surfs. He listens to West Coast iPod essentials like reggae, hip-hop, and Sublime. And in the off-season, he soaks up the sun and hangs out with his friends at Venice Beach.
In other words, the complete opposite of your average Medicine Hat resident.
“It’s pretty nice,” says the laid back 19-year-old who, long ago, made himself at home with the Medicine Hat Tigers. “I’m up here during the winter in the cold weather and it’s different when I go back home. I’ve always grown up in the warm weather. It’s always sunny – it’s like paradise.”
Meaning absolutely no disrespect to the Hat and its Tiger-crazy population, you can’t blame Etem for daydreaming about his summer days at home – especially as the mercury drops.
And especially after what a typical day in Etem’s paradise resembles.
“I try to surf every day after a workout,” he said. “Usually in the summer, I’m surfing every day with my buddy. He comes with me to work out and then we’ll surf right after. It’s pretty sweet.
“It’s a good life.”
It’s also a big part of his personality, who he is as a person, and what he brings to the table in the Western Hockey League.
“I definitely think it’s different than other hockey players,” said Etem, who moved to Minnesota at age 14 to play for Shattuck-St. Mary’s and has played the past three seasons for the Tigers. “For some, hockey is their life in Canada. They live and breathe hockey. In California, there’s a whole bunch of sports: baseball, football . . . there’s so much going on and it’s so crazy. I’ve been fortunate enough to see different aspects and try new things. It’s what makes me, me.”
Growing up a Los Angeles Kings fan, Etem quickly shifted allegiances when he was drafted 29th overall in 2010 by the Anaheim Ducks. Their home rink, the Honda Center, coincidentally is only 15 minutes from his home.
Aiming to become an everyday professional NHLer in the near future, Etem’s immediate focus has been replacing the scoring provided by Medicine Hat graduates Linden Vey and Wacey Hamilton. Part of his preparation this summer was developing a more sophisticated routine – like a pro.
“I’ve been trying to train at least three times a week and go through my stretches in warmup each and every game on a consistent basis,” said the sixfoot, 197-pound right winger. “I’ve been pre-game skating before every game, I’ve just been having that mindset that, for sure, next year a spot will be available for me on (the Ducks) roster.
“I think it’s been working out pretty well.”
How about very well. Etem has already been on two eight-game goal-scoring streaks and is competing nightly with Brandon Wheat Kings forward Mark Stone for the WHL lead in points. Currently, he’s No. 2 and leading the Tigers with 25 goals and 19 assists in 21 games.
He also has a good shot at being a top-six forward on the American junior team roster at this year’s 2012 IIHF World Juniors in Calgary and Edmonton.
“It’s kind of a special year,” said the member of the 2011 bronze medal-winning American juniors. “Last year, with it being in Buffalo and on home soil for the first time in a while, that was pretty special. But now, I’m one of the few guys that play close to Calgary.
“It’s quite exciting.”
Notables . . .
The Subway Super Series continues tonight with the Russian junior team squaring off with Team WHL in Regina and Thursday in Moose Jaw . . . Red Deer Rebels D Alex Petrovic was dubbed the WHL player of the week. He currently sits fifth among all WHL defencemen in scoring with 20 points (two goals and 18 assists) in 20 games this season . . . 22 WHL players were named to Team Pacific that will compete in the world under-17 hockey challenge from Dec. 29 to Jan. 4 in Windsor, Ont. . . . Calgary natives Jesse Lees (Kelowna Rockets), Josh Morrissey (Prince Albert Raiders), Morgan Klimchuk (Regina Pats), and Jonathon Merkley (Lethbridge Hurricanes) received invites along with Calgary Hitmen rookie Greg Chase . . . For what it’s worth, Calgary’s Matt Dumba of the Red Deer Rebels is No. 3 in TSN scout Craig Button’s top-60 picks for the 2012 NHL entry draft.
