Nov. 25, 2009
Sissons contributes as a 16-year-old
By John Harding
West Kelowna, B.C. ? Some of the more cynical types in the hockey world say potential is a scary word.
Even those people would have a hard time not getting excited about the future of Westside Warriors forward Colton Sissons.
On Nov. 6, Sissons picked up an assist in a Westside win over the Burnaby Express. It was his first point in the BCHL as a 16 year old. He was 15 for all the points he picked up before Nov. 5.
Sissons is listed at six feet tall, 173 pounds. Those measurements were clearly taken at the beginning of the season, because he?s well over six feet now. Anyone who has been around 15-16 year-olds knows you can almost watch them grow taller on a daily basis.
The Western Hockey League?s Saskatoon Blades have Sissons on their protected list. A player of Sissons? ability, size and age is a good fit for major junior, even as a 16-year-old. Playing major junior, however, makes one ineligible for an NCAA scholarship.
Which path to take? A tough choice for anyone, let alone a 15-year-old.
?It was a really tough decision and it took me a long time to figure it out,? Sissons said before practice this week. ?This league (BCHL) has a high calibre of hockey players and provides a good opportunity to play college in the States. I want to attend a Division One college first of all, and like most guys in this league, I want to play in The Show.?
Sissons played most of his minor hockey at the North Shore Winter Club and he says the highlight of his minor hockey days was playing in the prestigious Quebec International Peewee Tournament. That was a mere four seasons ago. Now he?s a second-year-midget playing against guys who are 20 years old. In what might be some kind of odd record, Sissons and his teammate Brendan Ellis were born four years and 11 months apart.
No matter. When the puck drops in the BCHL, ages don?t matter. Sissons? aggressive play has been driving opponents crazy, and some of these 20-year-olds have been giving Sissons cheap shots after the whistle, hacks to the back of the legs and all kinds of talk you can?t repeat here.
?I think we create energy for the guys, make some hits,? Sissons said of his line, which usually includes Max French and Dru Morrison. ?I?ve been working really hard and (head coach) Darren (Yopyk) has been rewarding me with ice time, a little power play time.?
Yopyk said is enjoying the progress of Sissons and looks forward to seeing the player he is going to become.
?Colton has high-end skill. Having just turned 16 a few weeks ago, his maturity on the ice is remarkable,? said Yopyk.
?His work ethic is second to none both on and off the ice. He continues to grow, and when his strength matches his skill level and determination, he will be scary to watch. Following the progress he has made already in the short while he has been here is fun to watch. I cannot wait to see the heights that he will reach. He has high goals, and he has the resolve to do whatever it takes to get there.?
Sissons has two goals and eight assists, which puts him on pace for 23 points this season. The curve can be steep in this league. Consider that Mitch MacMillan, the leading goal scorer in the BCHL this season, had 17 points in his first year in the league. And he was 17 years old that season.
Goodness forbid, if hockey didn?t work out for Sissons, what career path would he take?
?That?s a tough question ? to be honest, I don?t even know.?
Fair enough ? who among us knew what they were going to do with the rest of his life a couple of weeks after a 16th birthday?
(You can read more about Sissons and his favourite foods, NHL team, etc. on westsidewarriors.ca ? hit the Featured Warriors button.)
Sissons and the Warriors are busy with three games this week. On Thursday, the Warriors host the Salmon Arm Silverbacks (7 p.m. start at Royal LePage Place and it?s Thirsty Thursday – $3 a beer). On Friday, the Warriors travel to Vernon to play the defending nation champion Vipers, who have lost only one game this season. It?s a 7 p.m. start at the Wesbuild Centre. On Saturday (7 p.m. start, Royal LePage Place), the Warriors host the Williams Lake Timberwolves.
You can listen to John Harding?s play-by-play of all Warriors games by going to bchl.ca and hitting the Game Audio button.
For tickets to all Warriors home games, call 250-762-5050 or go to westsidewarriors.ca. You can also purchase tickets at any Select Your Tickets outlet, or at the Royal LePage box office, which opens one hour prior to game time.
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