It’s a long way from the Lower Mainland to South Muskoka.
For Burnaby’s Garrett Wills and New Westminster’s Ermi Mulatu, it’s just where hockey takes you.
The two are gaining valuable experience and lessons as teammates in the Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League, a circuit of 30 teams based in mostly southern Ontario and one in Quebec.
The South Muskoka Shield, based in the hamlet of Gravenhurst, entered 2016 in first place in the North Division. Located in cottage country and a two-hour drive from Toronto, the Shield haven’t lost a game since Dec. 12, but sit just one point ahead of Temiscaming, the lone squad from Quebec.
“It’s been great,” said Wills, 18. “When I came here I didn’t know exactly what to expect, but (the hockey) is a lot higher than the midget league and a big step for me.”
A goaltender, the St. Thomas More grad spent much of his minor career in Burnaby Minor but played his final midget season at the Burnaby Winter Club. That’s where coach Guido Lambertin-Charles saw him play and recommended him to his South Muskoka contacts.
“ (Lambertin-Charles) knew I was looking for a new situation, and with all the connections he has this one seemed to be a good fit. I’m really glad I came.”
He signed with the team in June. Upon crossing the Canadian Shield from B.C., Wills didn’t know that his friend Mulatu was making the same move, signing in July.
“I just wanted to travel more and thought I’d like to see what Ontario was like,” noted Wills. “(Mulatu) just lives down the street (from his Burnaby home) so being on the same team is kind of neat.”
Mulatu has made the most of his opportunity. The 5-foot-4 forward has seven goals and 14 assists over 30 games.
For Wills, his role is splitting the netminding duties with Swede Robin Gustavsson, and in his time has an 8-2 record and 2.23 goals against average. He sits among the league’s top-10 in goals against average and save percentage. The 6-foot-2 goalie says the adjustment hasn’t been too difficult.
“Being a goalie it’s about game speed and tracking the puck,” he noted. “I’m more patient than I use to be, and I try to let the players make the first move.”
Contributing to a winning team is a huge motivator, with one of the rewards being last month’s league Showcase event, which saw the top-two teams in each division play off. Wills finished with a 4-2 victory over South Division-leading Kingsville.
While the aim is to contribute to a championship run and hopefully attract the attention of a college scout, Wills says everything is good when ever he’s in the crease.
“I first played goal in atom, and I really liked it. I just felt comfortable and it seemed an easier position.
“There is a lot of pressure, but I enjoy that. You are the last line of defence and all eyes are on you.”
