Veterans inspire Harris to aim high
(Courtesy of Perry Bergson, The Brandon Sun)
Owen Harris learned a lot when he skated with the veterans at Brandon Wheat Kings training camp last fall.
The biggest lesson was what it takes to play at that level.
“There is lots of competitive edge there and I think it just drives me to be better seeing all of those good guys there,” Harris said. “Some day I want to make the squad.”
The 15-year-old Wawanesa product played 41 games with the Southwest Cougars in the Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League this season, scoring four goals and adding 13 assists. His robust physical presence was ably demonstrated by his 96 penalty minutes.
“I was pretty happy,” Harris said. “I thought I played decent throughout the year.”
The 53rd overall pick in the 2019 Western Hockey League draft, who remains unsigned, enjoyed his first year at the U18 level. A big part of that was who he played with over the last few months, something he said was a real highlight for him.
“I’d say getting to meet some new guys and playing with lots of competitive players,” Harris said. “The coaches were great and I thought we had a pretty good year, especially in the second half. We really jumped there.”
Southwest (34-12-2-0) ousted the Yellowhead Chiefs in the quarterfinals and were down 2-0 to the Pembina Valley Hawks in the league semifinal when COVID-19 concerns shut down play.
They were set to host the western regionals for the Telus Cup in Virden, an event that was also wiped out.
“It was very disappointing,” the six-foot-two, 190-pound Harris said. “I know all the guys were very, very upset that playoffs got cancelled and then Telus. They’re trying to deal with it right now.”
Harris will have to be comforted by the thought that his strong work was noticed this season by Wheat Kings brass.
Wheat Kings assistant general manager Doug Gasper saw Harris and fellow Brandon prospect Zach Turner of Boissevain play a few times.
“He’s a big, strong guy,” Gasper said of Harris. “He is really a stronger defender. Owen is a very difficult guy to play against. He plays hard, he plays physical, he has great feet, real quick mobility that allows him to defend. He does a lot of PK for them as well but he also chipped in a little offensively with 17 points in 41 games.
“His real strength is his ability to defend. He really makes life miserable on the opposition.”
Harris said he thought his game improved over the course of the season too. With a sound defensive game already, the biggest strides came offensively.
“I’ve gotten smarter with the puck and I’m making quicker and better decisions,” Harris said. “I’d say my speed has improved too.”
With several months until training camp, Harris has time to continue to get bigger and stronger. Even though hockey just ended, that starts now.
“I’m going to start hitting the gym right away and start skating lots and just get prepared for what’s coming up,” Harris said.
He will have his first chance to become a Wheat King next fall. Harris said he will be ready.
“I just want to impress everybody there and show that I could be there,” Harris said.
» This is the fifth story in a 12-part series on Brandon’s top prospects that will run for the next two weeks.
