OLDS — Grizzlys forward Greye Rampton says it’s “a huge honour” to have been chosen as the team’s 2023-24 RBC Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) community Ambassador.
The award goes to players who exhibit an “exemplary commitment to the community,” an AJHL news release said.
Two nominees will be selected as the recipient of a $1,000 scholarship when the season ends.
During an interview with the Albertan, Rampton said he and his fellow teammates do a lot of things in the community such as visiting and interacting with kids in schools,
“We go for school visits, we did a food drive, we go do skates with the elementary school students at the rink, teach them how to skate,” he said.
“Probably my favourite part is every week we go to the schools and we get to read with the kids, play games with them. It really means a lot to them.
“And just being able to make a positive impact in their life and kind of be a role model for them is my favourite part about it.”
Rampton said he basically leads by example.
“Just volunteering any time there’s a chance,” he said. “Trying to step up, promote our team in a positive way and push other guys on our team to help out in the community as much as they can.”
At 19, Rampton, a native of Chilliwack, B.C., still has another year of junior hockey eligibility.
Like most junior A hockey players, his goal is to get a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 hockey scholarship. NCAA Division 1 is the top tier of university athletic competition in the U.S.
The hope is to get an education while still playing the game he loves, and eventually play professionally.
When he finally does have to hang up his skates, Rampton hopes to get a job in the medical field, perhaps as a doctor or kinesiologist (a specialist in muscles)
“I also want to be part of the game still, so still give back in coaching ways and stuff,” he said.
