Time flies when you’re having fun.
Just ask Jeff Einhorn.
To Einhorn, it seems like just yesterday that he attended the Chilliwack Bruins training camp as a virtual walk-on and earned a spot on the Western Hockey League club’s blueline. Just months after helping the Red Deer Optimist Rebels reach the Canadian midget AAA final, the then under-sized defenceman graduated to the major junior ranks.
That was more than three years ago and the Red Deer native now holds the franchise record for most games played at 228. Not too shabby for a six-foot, 176-pound rearguard who was passed over in the WHL bantam draft.
“I remember when I came to the team, Nick Holden and Dylan Chapman, the 20-year-olds, were saying ‘just enjoy it because it flies by’. Now I look back and realize I’m playing my last game here in Red Deer as a member of this team and, yeah, it really does go by fast,” Einhorn said Wednesday at the Centrium, just prior to the Bruins’ 3-1 loss to the Rebels.
Now Einhorn is 20 and one of the ‘old men’ on the team. He’s a solid, dependable defenceman, a team leader and one half of the Bruins’ ‘Red Deer connection’.
The other Red Deer product on the Chilliwack roster is second-year blueliner Mitch Topping, a first-round pick in the 2008 bantam draft. The 17-year-old certainly appreciates Einhorn’s leadership skills.
“The first time I noticed Jeff was during the Telus Cup (the 2007 national midget AAA championship tournament in Red Deer). I came here (Centrium) and watched the final. He was with the Optimist Rebels and I kind of looked up to him, actually,” said Topping. “Then on the day I was drafted he gave me a call, picked me up and met with me. It was a really nice touch and we’ve just been good friends ever since.”
While Topping attended his first Bruins training camp as a blue-chip prospect, Einhorn earned his stripes as an underdog.
“Right from when I got to camp when I was 17, I had to go for it,” said Einhorn. “I had nothing to lose, I didn’t have a spot on a junior A team or anything. I just wanted to play my best hockey, make the team, have a strong season and continue to build on that over the years.”
Einhorn has done just that and credits second-year Bruins head coach Marc Habscheid and first-year assistant Pat Conacher for aiding in his development.
“It’s awesome. The coaching staff is unbelievable,” Einhorn insisted. “We get treated like professionals and it just comes down to will and hard work with these guys. They don’t beat around the bush. You have to work hard, but also work smart, too. Just working hard is not enough.”
Topping also praised Habscheid, an experienced tutor at the major junior, international and professionals levels who led Kelowna to a Memorial Cup championship in 2004, and Conacher, who played with six NHL teams during a 16-year career. Habscheid and Conacher also serve as the Bruins’ general manager and assistant GM.
“He’s a great coach, tactically he’s probably one of the best in the league,” said Topping, in reference to Habscheid. “He expects a lot but gives a lot back in return. We get treated like gold and we’re better hockey players because of it.”
The former Red Deer minor hockey star who played with the Optimist Rebels at the age of 15, is ranked 18th among WHL skaters by Central Scouting and is a good bet to be selected in next June’s NHL entry draft. He’s a work in progress and admitted that having Conacher on board has helped in his development.
“I’m working with Pat Conacher on improving my defence and just my game in general. So far it’s gone pretty good and I’m just looking to improve,” said Topping.
The talented rearguard, who scored five goals and garnered 15 points in 32 games during the 2008-09 Alberta Midget League season, admitted he’s now comfortable living and playing in B.C.’s Fraser Valley.
“It’s been great . . . the same billet house, same school . . . you kind of know the routine better the second year,” he said. “And I know a lot of the guys better. It’s been a lot more fun this season and we’re a really close group.”
While he’s definitely on the radar of several NHL scouts, Topping won’t dwell on his draft prospects through the remainder of the current WHL campaign.
“It’s nice to realize that someone is noticing what you’re doing on the ice, but on the same note it’s still early in the season and there’s still a lot of work to do,” he said. “Playing for the team comes first. Team success is going to result in my success and that’s what I’m working towards.”
Einhorn has never been selected in the NHL draft but hasn’t given up on his dream of playing for pay as early as next season.
Habscheid undoubtedly harbours a healthy list of contacts and could possibly help Einhorn receive an invitation to a pro camp next fall.
“That’s true, but he’s here to coach. We’ll dig into the other stuff in time,” said the overage defenceman.
“Absolutely, my goal is to play pro hockey,” he continued. “You always want to make it to the next level and keep improving. Every person’s dream is to play in the NHL and you have to keep working toward that.”
In the event that his professional plans don’t pan out, Einhorn has four years of WHL education money he can use while attending a college or university, an option he hasn’t ruled out.
“You always want to keep all doors open, but playing pro is No. 1 on my list,” he said.