Canmore rookie adds spark to Drumheller Dragons roster

DRUMHELLER – The Drumheller Dragons love the fire in Will McLaughlin’s belly.

Few Junior A hockey clubs would be confident in giving a rookie defenceman an early crack at a shootout, but then again, the self-assurance that steams off the 16-year-old blueliner from Canmore has caught the eye of the Dragons.

Described as a highly skillful, deceptive and creative player, McLaughlin got the call to take a do-or-die shot in a preseason game against the Olds Grizzlys. The defenceman didn’t score and the Dragons lost the game. 

However, failing to light up the lamp won’t deter the young prospect or staff from giving him similar future opportunities, said Kevin Hasselberg, head coach and general manager of the Dragons.

“I always look for players that look at you and say, ‘Put me out there. I got this,’” said Hasselberg. “It really doesn’t matter what happens at that point when a player believes in himself, you gotta put them out there and you gotta express that same belief in them.

“Will’s got that confidence about him and it’s very easy to put him in those situations because he’s just not scared of it.”

When coaching younger players, Hasselberg knows the importance to nurture growth and learning through mistakes.

It’s the perfect scenario that McLaughlin wants right now.

During the 2023-24 season, McLaughlin played for the Little Caesars Hockey Club, a triple-A team in Detroit, where the dual citizen had seven goals and 46 points in 66 games.

Returning to Alberta was a natural fit for the defenceman to see where things go.

“It was definitely a little different going from Canmore and the mountains to big city Detroit,” said McLaughlin. “But it was a great experience, especially just moving away from home at such a young age. I got to learn a lot.”

The former fifth round pick in the Western Hockey League suits up for Badland boys this season, as part of his rookie campaign in the Alberta Junior A Hockey League.

It’s a move the Canmore player said was best for his development and to get to the next level. 

Hasselberg said there have been a few learning curves, such as getting up to speed with the quick Junior play, but said McLaughlin keeps improving a little more each practice.

“And that’s what we’re looking for out of our players, especially our young ones,” said Hasselberg.

Besides a Game 7 in the playoffs, perhaps the biggest game the Dragons will play all season takes place Jan. 18, 2025, against the Canmore Eagles when the two teams clash in Canmore during Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada.

A day-long event featuring a live broadcast with Sportsnet analysts, the young defenceman could hardly contain his excitement when talking about the showdown.

“I’m really looking forward to that,” said McLaughlin. “Especially, like, all my buddies and stuff from town, they’re gonna be there, so I’m just super excited. It’s gonna be such a blast and I just can’t wait for that moment.”

Drumheller’s season opener is next Friday (Sept. 13) against the Grizzlys.

The Dragons’ season series against the Eagles will have Nov. 30 and Feb. 15 games in Drumheller, and Dec. 20, Jan. 3 and Jan. 18 games in Canmore.

Recruited to Division 1 NCAA school

Earlier this summer, McLaughlin accepted a full scholarship to attend Colorado College, a Division 1 NCAA school in Colorado Springs.

One reason McLaughlin decided to become a Tiger is because the mountains reminded him of home.

“It just seems like the perfect spot,” said McLaughlin. “For the overall college experience and lifestyle down there, that’s kind of like what I’ve been dreaming of since I was a really small, really young kid. I think just the coaches, the facilities, all the staff, they’re incredible. Yeah, I just loved it there. So I’m happy that I’m gonna be able to go there in a couple of years.”

Another benefit is that big brother – and soon-to-be school rival – will be nearby.

The blueliner is the younger sibling of Finn McLaughlin, a former Canmore Eagles defenceman who currently plays for the USHL champion Fargo Force.

A particularly interesting note is that the brothers will compete against each other someday, with Finn attending the University of Denver.

The neighbouring universities have the Battle for the Gold Pan, a rivalry series between the two private schools dating back to the early 1950s. The annual winner receives the coveted “Gold Pan” trophy.

“That’s one of the biggest rivalries right there, so it’s definitely gonna make those games a lot more interesting and intense for us, but I’m super excited to be really competitive, especially between him and I,” the younger McLaughlin said with a laugh.