Deegan Sellers has been enamored with the Canadian style of the game of hockey and next season, the Broomfield native will get to experience the junior hockey side of the game with the KIJHL’s Nelson Leafs.

The KIJHL is a league based in Western Canada, and Sellers is excited to get started with Nelson.

“A Nelson scout contacted my Colorado Thunderbirds head coach Philip Patenaude and I was then asked to attend their spring camp,” said Sellers. “The KIJHL moves kids to the BCHL. I feel it’s a good place for my first year of juniors to gain experience with Canadian hockey. I am looking forward to playing and learning hockey in the Canadian world of hockey.

“I expect it to be a little faster, and I’m ready to make that adjustment by doing more off ice and on the ice. I feel if I just play my game and trust my skill set and the way I’ve been tough to play against, I can have an impact quickly.”

Sellers got his kickstart in the game early on and his passion has grown ever since.

“I grew up playing for the Hyland Hills Hockey Association and then the Colorado Thunderbirds,” said Sellers, who also played two seasons of High Plains spring hockey. “I got started in hockey because of my grandfather who was a founding co-owner of the Colorado Eagles when they were a CHL/ECHL team.

“The coaches that have been a positive influence would be Tyson Davis (Hyland Hills), Adam Shaner (Thunderbirds) and Patenaude. Coach Davis took our Squirt team to Vancouver and that’s where I started my interest in Canadian hockey. Coach Davis was also the HHHA director and my Bantam coach. I learned a lot about the game from Coach Tyson. Coach Shaner has been part of my hockey career since my Pee Wee year. He has helped push me to do my best and continue to get better. He coached a spring team for several years that went to Whistler, B.C., for the Whistler International. Some of my favorite hockey memories are from this tournament, including playing and winning this tournament with Conner Bedard in 2017. Coach Phil has been my coach for the last two seasons. He has brought my game to the next level and gave me the confidence that I can compete and succeed at the AAA level. I have learned a lot from Coach Phil, not just on the ice, but also life lessons to be a good teammate and leader.”

Looking ahead, there is a lot to like about Sellers’ future, both on and off the ice.

“I want to make the jump up to the BCHL,” Sellers said. “I would like to continue playing hockey throughout college and get my pilot’s license or become a sports statistician.”

Photo/Jill P. Mott

— Matt Mackinder

(May 31, 2024)