At age 11, Spencer Miller is already involving himself in the big leagues. The Yellowknife goaltender will be representing NWT hockey at an elite camp run by the Ottawa Senators this summer. "I'm just going to go in there and try to remember my slide technique and momentum while focusing on keeping a strong mental game," he said.
Miller is a netminder for the Yellowknife Predators in the YKMHA peewee division and was invited to the camp for young elite players by Senators goalie coach Pierre Groulx.
The camp offers both in-class and on-ice sessions designed to improve playing ability and mental toughness.
He met Groulx two years ago at a goalie camp in Ontario and left a lasting impression that would eventually result in being invited to the Senators' camp, which takes place in Ottawa this July.
"It felt awesome," said Miller of the invite.
Groulx has worked with many professional goalies, including Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price and Hall of Famer Dominik Hasek. Miller said he is honoured to be invited and is looking forward to progressing as a player.
"I need to focus on keeping my mental game sharp," he said. "I just need to take my hat and shove it in the locker so I don't let my teammates down on the ice."
Miller attributes most of his growth as a hockey player to Yellowknife Wolfpack minor hockey team coaches Tony Stapelton and Darren Wicks.
"They have really supported me over the years ... when it comes to me going to Ottawa they are always telling me to just be ready," said Miller.
The Yellowknife Predators returned home from Edmonton on Monday after competing in the Empty Net AAA tournament.
The Predators finished third in their division after losing to the Northern Alberta All-Stars 7-1. This year the team went 2-2 in the tournament, giving up 17 goals in four games and finishing with a -5 goal differential.
Miller said playing against top calibre teams will help him get better at his position as his career goes forward.
"I've been playing in Yellowknife for a while and I know the players that are here, I know what they can do," said Miller. "Playing against teams in Edmonton, I can see how they play which will help me develop my game."
Like many young players, Miller dreams of one day playing in the NHL but he'd like the next step in his young career to be competing for a spot on Team NWT for the Arctic Winter Games.