Michael Garteig is hoping his return to the Canucks Young Stars Classic Sept. 8 to 11 will be the kick off to a great year.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 a good experience. It91裸聊视频檚 going to be good to meet the new coaching staff in Utica, work with them and the goalie coaches, make sure to make a good impression,91裸聊视频� said Garteig, who played for the B.C. Hockey League Powell River Kings and helped the Penticton Vees win the 2012 RBC Cup.
Garteig91裸聊视频檚 first professional season was up and down with many challenges. The Prince George product started in the ECHL for six weeks with the Alaska Aces. In 22 games with the Aces, he won 11. He spent nearly three months in the American Hockey League with the Utica Comets seeing action in eight games, recording four losses and a tie. With Alaska, he played a lot.
91裸聊视频淭hat was an adjustment period for me, sitting on the bench a lot more than I91裸聊视频檓 used to,91裸聊视频� said Garteig, who signed a one-year deal with the Comets on Aug. 24. 91裸聊视频淭here is a lot of valuable experience too. Just being around the pro environment and learning the ropes, the culture. It can be tough at times, but you have to believe in yourself. Just keep moving forward and try to get better everyday. When the time comes you can show yourself.91裸聊视频�
Garteig was happy to sign the contract he did, but is disappointed to not be re-signed by Vancouver. Still, Garteig said its good to stay in the Canucks organization with their AHL affiliate.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 another opportunity for me to show what I can do and hopefully have a big year here,91裸聊视频� he said.
Garteig has been training in the eastern U.S. Following camp he will report to the Kalamazoo Wings, the ECHL affiliate of the Comets, in Michigan. Garteig said the ECHL level is lower than the AHL, but there are a lot of good players. The play is different structurally compared to the AHL.
91裸聊视频淎s a goalie you are stopping pucks,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淎 puck is a puck no matter who is shooting it. You91裸聊视频檝e just got to stop it.91裸聊视频�
After taking a break during the off-season, and recently spending a week in Oliver, Osoyoos, Kamloops, Kelowna and Vernon to play golf with friends, Garteig has focused on getting better. He worked on moving quicker, getting stronger and leaner. He has skated with goalie coaches and fine-tuned his skills.
91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 going to make it a good year regardless of where I am,91裸聊视频� said Garteig, who played four years of National Collegiate Athletic Association Div. 1 hockey at Quinnipiac. 91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 going to have a good year and make the best of it.91裸聊视频�
Comets general manager Ryan Johnson said Garteig performed very well in Alaska. They wanted him to spend the whole season in the ECHL, where he would play and develop, but injuries forced the Canucks to send him to Utica. He was there at a crucial time when the team was trying to make the playoffs.
91裸聊视频淗e performed well. For him coming back in another year, it91裸聊视频檚 another opportunity for him to work Dan Cloutier and Curtis Sanford, who we have added,91裸聊视频� said Johnson, also the Canucks91裸聊视频� director of player development. 91裸聊视频淔or him to come back to this tournament and back to us as an organization is another opportunity for him to take another step forward.91裸聊视频�
Tickets are available online at , by phone at 1-877-763-2849 or in person at the South Okanagan Events Centre Valley First Box Office. For complete package details please visit .
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