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Finding his way in the KIJHL

Golden Rockets rookie goalie, Jarrod Schamerhorn, has had an interesting year both in the KIJHL and a short stop in the WHL.
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Jarrod Schamerhorn Golden Rockets

For Golden Rockets rookie goalie, Jarrod Schamerhorn, hockey is all he thinks about. The young goaltender has had an interesting year which has taken him from a preseason in Portland to playing for the Rockets.

“It has been going good. I like it here. Playing with the boys has been awesome. The hockey has been good,” he said.

After playing major midget last season Schamerhorn has enjoyed the challenges he has faced playing the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League this year.

“It is different playing with the older guys. Most of the guys have full grown beards now,” Schamerhorn said laughing. The young goalie said it has been an adjustment moving to the KIJHL but he loves it.

“Some of the teams in midget had drafted players so the speed was similar but they were not as big,” he said.

He said that he did not start playing in net until he was around 10 and before that he actually had been a forward. He went on to explaining that originally it was the goalie gear that lured him into the net but now he would not want to be anywhere else on the ice.  One of the main goals Schamerhorn has tried to take from this season is experience which he hopes will take him to the Western Hockey League in the future. He was fortunate enough to get to play in two preseason games for the Portland Winterhawks this year posting a 2.86 goals against average in 63 minutes of action.

“The first time I stepped on the ice in Portland it was crazy. You have guys who are going to the national Hockey League (NHL) camps. The speed was unbelievable. They move at an NHL speed. My knees were shaking before I stepped on the ice.”

The 16-year-old feels the experience he is taking from playing for the Rockets will only help him achieve his future goals.

One of the parts he has enjoyed about being in Golden is going to Golden Secondary School. “It is smaller but the students are great. I have friends here and I am enjoying it.”

When he was growing up Schamerhorn was a fan of Carey Price who plays for the Montreal Canadians but over the years he has developed his own style.

As for the Rockets, Schamerhorn feels the team should be higher in the standings than where they are but is confident that good times will still be found moving forward into the season.