Tuesday night marked a heartfelt homecoming for Denton Mateychuk, his family, and the entire community of Dominion City.
The Columbus Blue Jackets took on the Winnipeg Jets with Mateychuk in the starting lineup on the blue line.
He says this season with the Blue Jackets has been filled with memorable moments, and coming back to Canada stands out.
“I think probably the Western Canadian swing is the best part. And then finishing off here now in Winnipeg. It's lots of fun.”
Mateychuk hits the ice in the Canada Life Centre. (Photo credit: Kath Baczynsky)Mateychuk began playing hockey at a very young age and quickly fell in love with the sport. He says seeing his hard work pay off is incredibly rewarding, especially with his loved ones watching.
“It's pretty surreal to be back in Winnipeg where I grew up and having all the people come to the games and stuff, it's very special.”
Between 150 and 200 fans from Dominion City and the southeast filled the stands, and Mateychuk says it meant a lot to know his friends and family were cheering him on at Canada Life Centre.
“It's one of the reasons that I love the game so much is the support that I get from everybody. They all just want to see me do well. And for them to all come out here, it means the world to me.”
Fans representing Mateychuk at the game. (Photo credit: Kath Baczynsky)Many fans arrived wearing brand-new Blue Jackets jerseys, while others wore his old jerseys from previous teams.
“It's cool,” he says. “They would bring them out when they would come to my junior games, so it's always cool to see what jerseys they decide to bring out of the closet.”
His family and friends brought plenty of energy to the arena, and he says his brother likely led the way.
"I'd probably have to go with Maddux because from his track record, he always seems to be the loudest in the crowd."
Former teammates also showed up to cheer him on. Mateychuk shares one of his favourite childhood memories from a Provincials tournament with his minor hockey team, the Southern Steelers.
“I think I was 10, maybe. But it was pretty cool. I still remember taking a picture with everybody when we won that, it was pretty cool.”
The Southern Steelers team after winning Provincials in 2014, a memory that sticks out to Mateychuk. (Photo credit: Jason Henry)He says his success comes from the people who have supported him from the beginning.
“There's definitely lots of people. But my family, obviously, always comes number one in that. My dad took me to practices, driving long nights and always supporting me in everything I've done throughout my career. Definitely, my family's always number one.”
For young players who look up to him, he offers some simple advice.
“Just take it all in and enjoy it. It goes fast, and I still remember just playing junior hockey and before that with my brothers, and it goes fast. So, go out there and have fun and if you're passionate about it, keep going to the rink, keep doing your thing, and you're going to get opportunities.”
Reporter Darci Wilkinson, a longtime friend of Mateychuk’s, met up with him before the game, where he signed his old Southern Steelers jersey.
@steinbach_online Dominion City’s Denton Mateychuk answers some questions about his life with the #ColumbusBlueJackets! #Hockey #HometownProud #NHL ♬ original sound - SteinbachOnline
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