OLDS — Olds Grizzlys defenceman Josh Zinger is hoping his agreement to play for an NCAA Division 1 team next season could eventually lead to a chance to play pro hockey, at some level.
Late last month, it was announced that Zinger, 20, had committed to play for the Northern Michigan University Wildcats in Marquette, Mich. next season.
“My goal after this – well, my goal for five years – was to play Division 1. And so now I’ve kind of got to make up a new goal, and yeah, it is to play pro hockey someday. I’ll play hockey as long as I can,” Zinger said during an interview.
"I mean, you know, we’ll just see. Kind of take it day by day, week by week, year by year and just try and be the best player I can be and that's all really I can control.”
Zinger said he did receive offers from other teams, but he chose Marquette because they showed the most interest in him and "it really just was the best opportunity for me at the next level.
“I’ve been talking with the coaches for about, like two-and-a-half months now, since the (Alberta Junior Hockey League) Showcase (tournament) and they’ve been helping me with my game, answering any questions I have and really positive with me, seemed to really believe in me,” he said.
This past summer, at the advice of Grizzlys head coach Scott Atkinson, Zinger was converted from a forward to defenceman. He says that has been key to his success this season.
In 59 career games as a forward Zinger collected 23 points. As a defenceman, he equalled that point total in just 25 games and was named the AJHL’s Defensive Player of the Week in week 3 of the season.
"I can’t really explain why, but it just has been going well,” Zinger said.
Wildcats coaching staff have indicated that the plan is for him to remain on D, he said.
Zinger grew up in Red Deer. He figures the knowledge he gained as a forward has enabled him to play a pretty solid role as an offensive defenceman.
“I was a forward my whole life before this year. I know when to jump in and do all that stuff so I think it really helps,” he said.
He credits his teammates for helping him in his career too.
“We have a really good group here in Olds, like lots of awesome guys and they really push me every day,” he said.
He said he’s been learning a lot from those guys “because there’s obviously holes in my game that I need to fix and there’s stuff that they’re better at than I am that I can learn from them.”
Zinger said he still has to work on his defensive game overall and “my gap control and my stick.”
“I have some forward tendencies and I have to kind of break those, which is tough. But working really hard at that and I’m sure I’ll work that out,” he said.
On the academic side, Zinger has not yet decided what his major will be.
“I do have some kind of areas that I’d be more interested in, but I haven’t really narrowed it down yet,” he said, adding he figures it will likely be connected to sports in some way.
