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Opinion: RDC Kings winger Scott Ferguson has the right stuff

RDC Kings winger Scott Ferguson knows exactly what type of player he is.
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RDC Kings winger Scott Ferguson knows exactly what type of player he is.

“I don’t call myself a high-end skilled player, I play a simple game … a physical game,” he said. “I can play with more skilled guys and bring a different dynamic to the line. I try to open up room and get the puck for them. I’ve always played the same.”

Kings coach Trevor Keeper couldn’t be happier with Ferguson’s style.

“Scott works hard on and off the ice, he’s one of our fittest players. He has a hard shot and is hard to move in front of the net. That’s one of his strengths and as a result he gets an opportunity on the power play. He’s a great puck retriever. When there’s a shot and rebound he gets to it, moves it and gets back to his spot.”

While Ferguson plays his role to perfection with the Alberta Colleges Men’s Hockey League squad he has his share of offensive skill.

Take last week.

Ferguson with his linemates of Chase and Dylan Thudium combined for 13 points in the second period of the Kings 8-1 victory over the Concordia Thunder in the first game of the best-of-three ACAC quarter-final. Ferguson had two goals and three helpers.

“I never had a period like that before,” said Ferguson.

“As a line we had better games with better scoring chances, but things were going in for us that night.”

Ferguson, 22, added an assist as the Kings downed the Thunder 4-3 in the second game to advance into the best-of-three league semifinals against the MacEwan Griffins, which opens tonight in Edmonton.

Despite all being right handed shots the trio opened the season together, were broke up when Dylan was injured, and then were back together when Dylan returned.

“We’re all healthy now and it’s going good,” said Ferguson, who came out of the Red Deer minor hockey system and played with Chase in peewee and Dylan in midget.

“During the year we tried a couple different wingers on the left side there, but they just seem to have that chemistry,” said Keeper.

The six-foot, 190-pound Ferguson, who was born in Red Deer but lived in Sylvan Lake, joined the Red Deer Rebels bantam AAA Black team in 2009-10 and was drafted in the sixth round, 122nd overall, by the Red Deer Rebels in 2010.

He played bantam, minor midget AAA and in 2011-12 joined the midget AAA Chiefs helping them win the Telus Cup.

He played over three seasons with the Camrose Kodiaks before finishing his AJHL career with Spruce Grove.

He was recruited by Keeper and the chance to return home to play college hockey (last season) was something he couldn’t turn down.

“Being away for four years I missed a lot. I’m a big family guy and once the Kings came back it was a chance to come home,” he said. “I knew some of the guys and (Austin) Hunter and (Trevor) Costello talked about it and we all decided to come here.”

The jump from junior to the ACAC was a surprise.

“The guys are stronger and faster than I anticipated. It’s good hockey and every game is a challenge and you need to be ready to go.”

Ferguson is taking business at RDC and will be around for five years. He’s anxious to move into the new Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre next year.

“There’s a lot of hype and we’re all excited and antsy to get in there,” he said.

Danny Rode is a retired Advocate reporter who can be reached at drode@reddeeradvocate.com