COLD LAKE - Like many hockey players who have ascended to higher levels in the sport, Cold Lake’s Jaxon Fuder, who is currently on the roster of the Red Deer Rebels in the Western Hockey League (WHL), got his start playing hockey in his hometown.
Fuder first took to the ice at the young age of three years old and played in Cold Lake until he was 11. From there, he went on to spend two seasons with the Lakeland Panthers followed by a stint with the Lloydminster Bobcats for his two U15 seasons.
Most recently, his name has appeared in the NHL scouting list.
“It was an awesome experience growing up in a small town with so much support. You make so many lifelong memories . . . for me, playing hockey in my hometown is something I will never forget,” Fuder told Lakeland This Week.
For Fuder, there were plenty of highs and lows growing up and moving through the ranks of minor hockey. Some of those lows meant being cut from teams he wanted to play on. However, the experiences helped the hockey player build resilience and pushed him to work harder so that when the next opportunity presented itself, he could make the best of it.
Minor hockey is very beneficial for kids, Fuder continued.
“It helps teach them many life skills including teamwork, hard work and competition, but ultimately having fun while doing what you love,” he said.
On the NHL scouting list
Fuder, who serves as a left-wing for the Red Deer Rebels, recently found his name on the NHL scouting list.
The scouting list, he explained, is created by a group of scouts within the NHL who evaluate players throughout the season. They rank players on both their overall performance and projected development. Player from North America and Europe are included.
Fuder feels quite elated to be on the list and says he owes his success to those who have helped him along the way.
“It’s awesome, being named to something like that is something that I never thought would happen until it did. I couldn’t have done it without the support I have had from my family, friends, teammates, and coaching staff. I know I wouldn’t be where I am today without them,” he stated.
When asked where he sees himself over the next few years, the 18-year-old says he dreams of one day being on the roster of an NHL club.
“What I’ve learned so far is that life is unpredictable and all I can focus on is what I can control, but the goal at the end of the day is to play at the highest level of hockey I can, the end goal in hockey has always been to play in the NHL."
