Clayton has memorable U16 Challenge Cup

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

The Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup is a memory CFR Bisons rookie rearguard Cole Clayton will not easily forget.
Team Alberta went undefeated en route to winning gold last week at the Markin MacPhail Centre in Calgary.
Clayton was the main shut-down defenseman who played in many situations and credited the team’s success to the bonding that occurred almost instantly.
“It was a super tight team that wanted to win,” said Clayton. “We were the underdogs and we went out and proved them wrong. (My teammates) just made me better on the ice and you improve so much when you’re with the elite. You just keep getting better and better.”
The 15-year-old noticed there was a difference in pace, but said what made it easier to settle in was the fact the players were all the same age.
“It was super fast,” said Clayton. “They’re all my age compared to major midget, you play against guys two years older than you. They’re strong as you and you can battle with them and you have to try and outskate guys.”
The biggest thing he learned was attention to detail, a skill he plans to carry with him into the rest of the season with the Bisons.
Team Alberta defeated Team Manitoba 3-0 in the gold medal game.