Austin Wagner grew up rooting for Hitmen
Pat standout grew up in Calgary and rooted for Hitmen
It might be a bit of a sensitive subject, but Regina Pats forward Austin Wagner doesn’t hide the fact his loyalties once belonged to the Calgary Hitmen.
As a young aspiring WHLer, the Calgary product spent his share of time at the Saddledome cheering on the local junior team — the same one that’s currently in the heat of a first-round playoff duel with the Pats.
“I liked to watch them play when I was younger,” Wagner said of the Hitmen. “They had Ryan Getzlaf and guys like that (in the mid2000s). I think it’s every kid’s dream when you’re in your hometown to get drafted by them, but I’m happy to be drafted by the Pats.”
Nearly five years have passed since Regina stole Wagner in the fifth round (94th overall) of the 2012 WHL bantam draft.
Over the course of that winter, Pats director of scouting Dale McMullin had been drawn to a raw under-the-radar talent with an intriguing blend of size and “pullaway speed.”
Wagner would go on to become one of the most feared skaters in the WHL and a prospect of the Los Angeles Kings, who selected him in the fourth round of the 2015 NHL draft.
The 19-year-old winger is now coming off his best regular season yet — 30 goals and 66 points in 64 games. He was one of six 30-goal men on the Pats, who achieved several individual and team records en route to winning the WHL’s regular-season title.
“(Scoring 30) is a good accomplishment … but I had a lot of other goals this year,” said Wagner.
“We set a franchise record for wins (52) and guys had individual (milestones) that were pretty spectacular.
“I think everybody had a good season but everybody is happy to be in the playoffs now and moving forward.”
Wagner makes no secret of the fact he craves a championship in what could be his final WHL season. After signing a contract with the Kings earlier this month, it’s expected he’ll get a chance to move up to the pro ranks next fall after four seasons of honing his talents in Regina.
“I never thought when I was younger that I’d be at the point I am but I’m real happy to be where I am and in the situation I’m in,” said Wagner. “I’ve kind of just tried to think about the playoffs and the task at hand and not think much about what is going to happen after the season. Going into the summer and whatnot I’m going to work hard and let the chips fall where they will.”
If the 2017 playoffs are indeed a farewell tour for Wagner, the Saddledome is a natural first stop.
“I call it one of my favourite (rinks) to play in because it’s my hometown and I always try to elevate my game to even another level when I get to play at home,” added Wagner, who expects to have a substantial cheering section for Game 4 on Thursday night — just as he did for Game 3 on Tuesday.
“It’s always a cool feeling to be at home and play in front of your family whenever you get the chance. The playoffs is a little bit more exciting to have my friends and family around to watch. Hopefully they’re supporting our team a bit more than the other one (laughs).”