PROSPECT PROFILE: CAIDEN DALEY
(Courtesy of Perry Bergson, Brandon Sun) — Caiden Daley, meet the realities of the Western Hockey League.
The Brandon Wheat Kings’ first-round selection in this year’s Western Hockey League bantam draft skated with the veterans for the first time this past weekend.
He was impressed.
“They’re a lot stronger and the passes are crisp and on the tape, so you always have to be ready,” said Daley, who scored a beautiful goal in Friday night’s scrimmage. “The speed is a lot faster than I’m used to but I like it. It’s bigger bodies out there so you have to create your own time and space.”
The 15-year-old forward certainly didn’t look out of place in the spirited 75-minute session that opened the team’s main camp, displaying the speed and quick release on his shot that helped him to notch 23 goals and 38 assists in the regular season with the provincial bantam AAA champion Winnipeg Warriors last season. In 12 playoff games, he added nine goals and 13 assists.
Daley worked out virtually every day all summer in an attempt to get stronger, in large part due to the motivation provided by joining the Wheat Kings organization.
“I’m just going to keep pushing, keep getting bigger and keep getting stronger and try to crack (the roster) next year maybe,” said Daley, who isn’t old enough to be a full-time WHLer, but could play some games as an affiliate player. “Later this season I really hope to be here.”
He’s certainly done nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of Wheat Kings director of scouting Wade Klippenstein.
“He was one of the most dynamic players, we felt, in that age group,” Klippenstein said. “He has the ability to change a game with his speed and work ethic, his skill and his size.”
The Grade 10 student attends J.H. Bruns Collegiate in Winnipeg and hopes to play with the midget AAA Winnipeg Wild this season.
Caiden has two older sisters — Casarah and Teneal — along with father Devon and mother Diane. His sisters were decorated soccer players, while his father plays basketball.
Daley always had competing interests in hockey and basketball growing up, prompting a decision a couple of years ago.
“Two years ago I had to switch over and start focusing on hockey more as I was getting bigger,” Daley said. “I think I made the right decision.”
Daley admits that his game remains a work in progress, particularly on things like winning draws in the faceoff circle and defensive-zone awareness. But he’s also aware of what he considers his own best assets.
“My speed and my strength to get pucks to the net and open myself up for other players and help everyone out (are strengths),” Daley said. “My leadership skills, telling guys where to go and tune them up when I need to. I try to get pucks to the net as much as I can.”
For now, Daley is trying to learn as much as he can and he remains grateful for the reception he receives in Brandon.
“It feels great,” Daley said. “The guys welcome me every day and say hi. The little things really help me out here. I’m just getting used to the whole WHL thing.
“It’s really good.”
