Krebs captures gold with Canada

By Tyler Lowey, Times Reporter

Former CFR Chemicals Bisons centre Peyton Krebs couldn’t have started one of the most important years of his life any better.
The 17-year-old, who is entering the season with the Kootenay Ice of the Western Hockey League, was recently named to Team Canada for the rebranded Hlinka Gretzky Cup following the National Men’s Summer Under-18 Selection camp, which ran July 27 to Aug. 1 at WinSport’s Markin MacPhail Centre in Calgary.
“It’s amazing; anytime you get the chance to represent your country at a high level is pretty special,” said Krebs, who was one of 22 players named to Canada’s final roster at the conclusion of camp Aug. 1. “There are so many great players at this camp; every time I leave, I am more motivated to get better like them.”
For the first time since 1996, the tournament was played on Canadian soil, with Red Deer and Edmonton hosting the festivities. Historically, the tournament is typically held in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. From now on, the tournament will rotate each year between Canada and Europe.
Canada opened the tourney by blasting Team Switzerland 10-0 Aug. 6 at Rogers Place. In the shellacking, Krebs led Canada with two goals and one helper.
Krebs factored in Canada’s 4-2 victory over Team Slovakia the next day, when he assisted on the opening goal by the eventual tournament-leading scorer Alexis Lafreniere.
The Okotoks product was held off the score sheet in Canada’s 4-3 win over Team Sweden in the round robin finale, but was centre stage for one of the most controversial goals in the tournament’s 27-year history.
Instant replay was never used in previous instalments of the tournament, because there wasn’t proper technology in place in Europe.
Even this year, Red Deer and the Downtown Community Arena in Edmonton were not equipped with the proper technology.
Canada surrendered a pair of goals in the third to trail 5-4. In the dying seconds, Dylan Cozens snapped one past American netminder Dustin Wolf at the buzzer. When the TV feed showed the replay, it appeared as if the puck crossed the goal line slightly after time expired. But since instant replay was never used before in previous years or previous games in this tourney, the goal was not allowed to be reviewed despite there being cameras in the building when the Edmonton Oilers play.
The goal stood, and Canada had a second life in overtime.
That’s when the former Alberta Midget Hockey League top forward dropped a pass for Josh Williams at the 1:44 mark of overtime to send Canada to the final.
Canada didn’t require any more heroics from Krebs in the finale, as they dumped Sweden 6-2 Aug. 11 to capture their 22nd U18 gold medal.
Other than Team Canada putting their stamp on the national program’s illustrious history, this tournament also serves as the kickoff for a year’s worth of scouting for the upcoming National Hockey League Entry Draft.
By the time Krebs was getting the gold medal placed around his neck, the scouts already had weeks of information jotted down about him.
Polo shirts and windbreakers of several NHL clubs lined the bleachers way back at the developmental camp, as they got their first look at draft-eligible players for this June.
Krebs is no stranger to representing his country internationally after he captained the silver medal-winning Team Red during last year’s World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and appeared in exhibition games last spring at the IIHF U17 World Championship in Russia.
“Your first U17 hockey camp is a grind and you learn lots as you try and hang with Team Canada as much as possible. This year, I had a little better idea of what to do and was more prepared. I think being more experienced really helped me out this week and allowed me to have more fun,” said Krebs, who played for the Bisons in their last season in Strathmore.
Being 10 months away from his dream finally coming true and hearing his name get called in the draft might be distracting for some, but not for Krebs.
“I treat every year as an important one,” said Krebs. “Last year I wanted to make a name for myself in the league and I thought I had a pretty good year. Now, I just want to keep rolling off of that and have another really strong season this year.”
Krebs spent six games as a 15-year-old with defenceman Cale Fleury and 17 games with him this year before Fleury was dealt to Regina, and picked up some valuable information about how to go about your business in your draft year.
Back in June of 2017, the Montreal Canadiens nabbed Fleury with the 87th overall pick in the third round.
“Cale has always supported me lots,” said Krebs. “He motivates me to get better. He also told me to enjoy this experience, work hard and just let whatever happens, happen.”
Blocking out the distractions will be something Krebs learns to deal with this year. First, at the national level this week in Edmonton and the rest of the hockey world for the remaining nine months leading up to the draft. But he certainly feels up to the task.
“James (Patrick, Ice head coach) did a great job teaching me the aspects of being a pro this past year and I tried to utilize that as much as possible,” said Krebs. “He’s really helped me grow as a player from what I was in Strathmore to where I am now. It’s been a great journey and I want to keep rolling with it.”