MACKLIN – The 2023 World U17 Hockey Challenge is what young hockey players dream of, and it is now a reality for Macklin-raised player, Cole Reschny.
Cole was selected to play with Team Canada Red at the event, being held Nov. 2-11 in Charlottetown and Summerside, P.E.I.
His mother, Allison Reschny, recalled her reaction to the announcement.
“I felt very proud and honoured for Cole to have this opportunity to wear a Canadian jersey and cannot wait to watch all these young athletes compete at this level.”
This accomplishment did not just fall into the player’s lap. According to Allison, Cole has had to put in extensive of work.
He started playing hockey in Macklin at the age of four. Cole spent a lot of time on the ice, usually seen practising during public skating and playing shinny on top of his scheduled hockey practice. The coaches could see he was able to put pucks in net and skate well, so this allowed Cole to play as an underage every so often. Cole decided to pursue his love of the game by attending the NAX Hockey Academy when he was 14. From there, he moved to the Saskatoon Blazers a year later playing in the SMAAAHL. Both opportunities opened doors for Cole and he was drafted third overall in the WHL to the Victoria Royals.
Cole has been able to travel the country with his hockey talents, even bringing home an overtime silver medal from the Winter Games in Charlottetown this past February. Mom, Allison, says she is the proudest of Cole’s determination and level of competition.
“He is never just satisfied; he always wants more or is figuring out how he or his team can do better.”
She also adds “When he says he will do something, he will always follow through with it and try his very best.”
Cole is not the only player in the family with skills either. Older brother Austin plays with the Drumheller Dragons in the AJHL and younger brother Anderson plays with Lloydminster in the JPHL.
Although his parents are proud of him, Cole’s presence is missed at home.
“I miss cooking for him. It always feels good to cook a meal and have your kids devour it. Cole makes me laugh and life is always better when you can have a bit of fun,” says Allison.
Cole’s dad, Clinton, will be in Prince Edward Island to watch Cole play. Allison says they have been enjoying Cole games as they never know where or how it will end.
“We’ve been able to travel a lot of different places with him and have met so many wonderful people in our hockey world which we will forever be grateful for,” says Allison.
The World U17 Hockey Challenge has seen over 2,000 NHL draft picks scouted since it first started in 1986, including 16 first-overall draft picks since 2001 alone. Players such as Rick Nash, Marc-André Fleury, Alexander Ovechkin, Connor McDavid, Alexis Lafreniére and Owen Power were scouted there.
TSN and RDS, official broadcaster of Hockey Canada, will broadcast the medal games. Check local listings for details.
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