It’s a chance to play in front of NCAA and NHL scouts and Smoke Eaters centreman Erik Pastro wants to make a big impression.
The 20-year-old believes his performance for Team Interior in Friday night’s BCHL Top Prospects Game could go a long way toward securing an NCAA Division-one scholarship.
“It’s an important game for myself, it’s going to be a lot of fun too,” said the Vernon native.
“It’s super important for me, my last one as a committed 20 (year-old), I’ll do everything I can to prove myself,” added Pastro who looks forward to spending some time with line mates Cash Carter and Christian Kim who are in Saturday night’s BCHL All Star Game.
“To have a weekend there with Cash and Kimmer there in Edmonton too, will be enjoyable,” Pastro said.
Pastro got off to a fast start in Trail after being acquired in a preseason trade with the Vipers.
His game took off for a second time this season when put on a line with Carter and Kim.
It started with two goals and three assists against his former team during a Nov. 28 clash against Vernon at Cominco Arena.
Pastro totaled nine goals and 14 points in the first nine games with Carter and Kim on his wings.
He credits diversity and chemistry between the trio.
“We all bring something different to the table,” Pastro said.
“At the start we were really clicking and we have found a way to adjust to each other’s playing styles and really just put the team first and make sure we play a heavy cycle game, getting pucks to the net and finding ways to bang in rebounds,” he explained, stating that their work together continues.
“A lot of it is trial and error in practice, I think in games we have been hot as a line, when things are going good it seems to be going really good, we’re just going to keep rolling with that,” according to the third year BCHL veteran.
Pastro is on pace to have a career year.
He scored 16 goals and 35 points as a Vipers rookie and has 12 goals and 26 points this season with 23 regular season games remaining.
Kim will play for Team World in the All Star game.
The 20-year-old Californian leads the Smoke Eaters with 37 points, including 26 assists and is tied for 10th in the BCHL points race.
Carter is having a breakthrough season.
The 19-year-old from Berrymoore, Alta. has already doubled his goal total from last season with 14. Carter also has 31 points, a 10 point improvement on last year’s total as a Smokies rookie.
He will play for Team Canada, with Smokies coach and GM Eric Thurston as head coach. Thurston is also a Team Interior assistant coach for the Top Prospects Game.
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