A young hockey player from Mitchell will soon play in the same tournament that has inspired NHL stars like Dustin Byfuglien and Jonathon Toews.

William Picklyk will play for Team Brick Manitoba at the Brick Invitational Hockey Tournament in Edmonton: a competition which features the best 10-year old players from all across North America.

“I think his mom and dad’s mind blew more than his when we got the news,” laughs William’s father Chris Picklyk, “cause he’s pretty young and it was his first real time going to a tryout.”

The team is not easy to make, indicates Picklyk, in addition to being one of the best players in Manitoba, one has to contend against the three imports every team is allowed to bring in. To have achieved a spot among these players is a significant feat.

“William was very happy when he got the news,” Picklyk adds.

To Willam, however, the reason for participating in this tournament is simple: “I just like playing the sport.”

"I just like playing the sport," says William (Photo credit: Wendy Picklyk).

Once his minor hockey season ends, William's practicing will actually intensify as he begins participating in preparation tournaments across Manitoba and Ontario.

William says he is more than willing to put the practice in to play a game he loves at a venue as grand as the West Edmonton Mall. "I really look forward to playing in the West Edmonton Mall Rink," he notes.

Though the tournament is only scheduled to begin in the summer, friends and family of the Pickyk’s have begun showing support to the young athlete as he prepares to head off to the biggest hockey event of his life.

“A bunch of family members have already booked hotels and flights to go down to Edmonton to take part in it," comments Picklyk, “it’ll be a really neat event for our whole family."

Meanwhile, one other young boy from the area has also made the team. Young Graham Pickering from St. Adolphe will be playing for Manitoba alongside William at the games in July.