Matt Delahey finished his Western Hockey League career wearing Chilliwack’s spoked wheel logo.
Now the local defenceman is hoping to jump to the professional ranks with the franchise who made the look famous.
Delahey has signed an amateur tryout contract with the Boston Bruins and will head to their rookie camp on Sept. 12.
“I’m going to come in in good shape and play my game,” said Delahey. “I’ve been working really hard this summer.
“I need to be a tough, steady, stay-at-home d-man and move the puck quick. I want to limit my mistakes and earn a spot that way.”
Delahey was the New Jersey Devils’ fourth round pick, 112th overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. When he and the Devils couldn’t reach a contract agreement by the June 1 deadline he began wading through other offers.
“I talked to a few teams and Boston was most interested and they invited me to their camp,” said Delahey who admitted he could see the writing on the wall with the Devils as the deadline approached.
“You talk and stuff, but you kind of know what’s going to happen,” he said. “Things don’t always work out the way that you want it to, but you have to hope it works out for the best. Obviously I have another shot with Boston, so I’m ready for that and I’m excited for that.”
In addition to the camp in Boston, Delahey will also attend the camp of the Bruins’ American Hockey League affiliate in Providence.
“Obviously I would have liked to have signed a contract with (New Jersey), but I want to play in the American Hockey League this year,” said the 20-year-old. “I have to go to Boston and try to earn myself a job.”
The 6-foot-1, 215 pound defenceman is going to camp full of optimism and ready to start the next chapter in his hockey career.
While the Bruins showed a lot of interest, Delahey did his home work and feels he’ll get an opportunity to impress in Providence.
“They invited me to their camp because they were low on D in Providence,” he said. “I think they’re going to give me a good chance and if not I’m going to make a chance for myself.”
For more please see Thursday's Times-Herald.
