The Western Hockey League held its draft of Bantam-age players last week.
Matthew Ronn, Captain of the AA Bantam Terriers was watching the proceedings online, congratulating players he knew as they were drafted.
Then in the ninth round, 185th overall, it was Ronn鈥檚 name that was called. He had been selected by the Saskatoon Blades.
鈥淲hen I heard my name called it brought me chills,鈥� said Ronn, who played his last season of Bantam with the end to the recent season.
Going to the Blades was a surprise for Ronn, son of Jeff and Jessica Ronn of Ebenezer.
鈥淲e talked a bit during the winter, but I wasn鈥檛 expecting it,鈥� said Matthew.
Ronn may not have anticipated the Blades calling his name, but he likes the idea of one day playing in Saskatoon where he already has friends, and it鈥檚 close enough for his family to attend games regularly.
鈥淚t鈥檚 close to home. I鈥檓 very excited to be part of the team,鈥� he said.
The selection is something Ronn said he has long desired.
鈥淚t鈥檚 always been a dream of mine to play in the league. I鈥檝e watched it for years and have always wanted to be on one of the teams,鈥� he said.
Ronn will enter Midget hockey on the fall, but is not sure where he may play.
鈥淚t would be nice to stay here and play for the home team (Maulers),鈥� he said, but added he hasn鈥檛 signed to go to any particular team yet, choosing to keep options open as he and his family discuss what is best for his future.
Ronn said his father has talked to the Blades about where they might want him to play. He said they just want him with 鈥渁 good organization鈥� where he can get lots of ice time to develop as a player.
In terms of a player Ronn said he sees himself 鈥渁s a very offensive defenceman,鈥� with a tendency to think offence at times before taking care of things in his own end.
鈥淎nd I have a good hockey IQ ... I can create a lot of offence.鈥�
Which means, in terms of development, working on his blueline responsibilities.
鈥淚鈥檝e been working on that, taking care of my own end and then to jump into the play,鈥� he said.
