The Olds Grizzlys team is made up of players from all around North America and one of the players furthest from home is forward Andrew Malek.
Malek, 18, is originally from Milwaukee, Wis. and came here to play for the local team.
Malek has played hockey for 11 years after being introduced to the sport by his father.
“My dad started taking me to open ice when I was seven and I have loved the game ever since, and the hunger to get better every day keeps me going,” Malek said.
In his 11 years of playing the sport there are a number of moments in his hockey career that he is most proud of.
“When I was 10 I won a state title and scored the game winning goal in double overtime,” said Malek. “Then won another three years ago. The last would be making the Grizzlys, because playing junior hockey has been a dream of mine for awhile.”
When comparing the type of hockey he played in Milwaukee to what he’s playing with the Grizzlys he said it’s a faster game.
“The hockey in Olds is much faster paced and you can’t take a shift off. Also this level of hockey is much higher than the level I played in Milwaukee,” he said.
The way he first learned about the Grizzlys was that a previous general manager for the team saw him skate when Malek was 16 and suggested he try out for the team when he was 18.
“I came to try out for the team and played a few exhibition games. Meanwhile, my dad and I were staying in a hotel for about a month and when I had heard I made the team I was really excited,” said Malek.
Since joining the team he has been able to bond with his teammates and build a camaraderie but that was tough, due to players being traded early on.
Reflecting on the Grizzlys' current season Malek said, “I think the season hasn’t gone as we planned. I think we hoped we would have won a few more games, but we are a young team and we are learning every day.”
When reflecting on what he’s learned as being a part of the Grizzlys, Malek had this to say: “I’ve learned that you have to keep working and improving every day, because if you take a day off, someone else is getting better while you are staying the same.”
