From: Alberta Hockey Website By Laurence Heinen
Scouts have had an extra-long look at forward Joe Colborne of the Camrose Kodiaks this season.
In his second season in the Alberta Junior Hockey League, Colborne finished second in the regular-season scoring race with 33 goals and 57 assists in his draft year.
“I feel like I am a skilled forward, and I try to model my game after players like Lecavalier, Thornton and Spezza,” Colborne told www.hockeyforum.com
One scout told the Edmonton Sun that Colborne, who was rated 30th among North American skaters by the National Hockey League’s Central Scouting Service in January, is “as close to a Joe Thornton clone” as a player can be at this level.
That’s high praise for the 6-5, 195-pound Calgary native who has all the traits to become a useful power forward eventually in the NHL.
“He wins a lot of board battles and can turn on a dime and make a great pass,” the scout told the Sun.
Following this season, Colborne will attend the University of Denver and play for the Pioneers.
“We know that Joe’s hard work and dedication have certainly paid off and we wish him continued success in his future academic and athletic pursuits,” said Camrose general manager and head coach Boris Rybalka earlier in the season.
Judging by his considerable athletic prowess and scholastic achievements – he has maintained an average above 90 per cent in Grade 12 – Colborne has a bright future ahead of him.
“He does phenomenally well in all areas (of school),” Camrose trainer Brent Sawchuk told the Sun.
“He is a model student,” Sawchuk said. “He sets a fine example of what it takes to be successful in this busy world.”
With three sisters who play basketball at a high level, Colborne comes from an athletic family.
“Right from when I was little my parents always taught me to try to be the best at everything you do,” Colborne told the Sun.
One great example of Colborne’s character occurred during the World Junior A Hockey Challenge in Trail, B.C. this past fall.
While playing for the Canada West team that went on to win gold, a group of Atom-aged players hit the ice to practice with the all-star Junior squad.
According to a Denver University fan website [hey, LetsGoDU got a free plug :-) ], Colborne gave one young player lots of useful tips such as how to take passes off of the skate, how to make proper backhand passes, how to tie up the stick and pin an opponent in the corner and how to deke out a goalie and eventually pull the puck over to the backhand and roof it.
Eventually, the young player took part in a shootout at the end of the session and he pulled off the deke and backhand shot that Colborne had taught him.
“It was a moment my son will always remember,” wrote the boy’s father. “Joe Colborne will be his favourite player for all time.”
Based on his on-ice accomplishments and off-ice demeanor, Colborne will earn a lot more fans on his journey to the NHL.
In his second season in the Alberta Junior Hockey League, Colborne finished second in the regular-season scoring race with 33 goals and 57 assists in his draft year.
“I feel like I am a skilled forward, and I try to model my game after players like Lecavalier, Thornton and Spezza,” Colborne told www.hockeyforum.com
One scout told the Edmonton Sun that Colborne, who was rated 30th among North American skaters by the National Hockey League’s Central Scouting Service in January, is “as close to a Joe Thornton clone” as a player can be at this level.
That’s high praise for the 6-5, 195-pound Calgary native who has all the traits to become a useful power forward eventually in the NHL.
“He wins a lot of board battles and can turn on a dime and make a great pass,” the scout told the Sun.
Following this season, Colborne will attend the University of Denver and play for the Pioneers.
“We know that Joe’s hard work and dedication have certainly paid off and we wish him continued success in his future academic and athletic pursuits,” said Camrose general manager and head coach Boris Rybalka earlier in the season.
Judging by his considerable athletic prowess and scholastic achievements – he has maintained an average above 90 per cent in Grade 12 – Colborne has a bright future ahead of him.
“He does phenomenally well in all areas (of school),” Camrose trainer Brent Sawchuk told the Sun.
“He is a model student,” Sawchuk said. “He sets a fine example of what it takes to be successful in this busy world.”
With three sisters who play basketball at a high level, Colborne comes from an athletic family.
“Right from when I was little my parents always taught me to try to be the best at everything you do,” Colborne told the Sun.
One great example of Colborne’s character occurred during the World Junior A Hockey Challenge in Trail, B.C. this past fall.
While playing for the Canada West team that went on to win gold, a group of Atom-aged players hit the ice to practice with the all-star Junior squad.
According to a Denver University fan website [hey, LetsGoDU got a free plug :-) ], Colborne gave one young player lots of useful tips such as how to take passes off of the skate, how to make proper backhand passes, how to tie up the stick and pin an opponent in the corner and how to deke out a goalie and eventually pull the puck over to the backhand and roof it.
Eventually, the young player took part in a shootout at the end of the session and he pulled off the deke and backhand shot that Colborne had taught him.
“It was a moment my son will always remember,” wrote the boy’s father. “Joe Colborne will be his favourite player for all time.”
Based on his on-ice accomplishments and off-ice demeanor, Colborne will earn a lot more fans on his journey to the NHL.
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