Ice prospect full of surprises

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This article was published 02/09/2021 (1499 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Ashton Cumby had the nicest goal of Thursday’s morning scrimmage — a slick move to the middle of the ice finished off with a backhand through the goaltender’s legs.

The play was something you’d expect from a smaller forward, not a 6-5, 207-pound defenceman. But the towering 16-year-old appears to be in the habit of surprising people.

After playing only four games during a pandemic-interrupted 2020-21 season in Lloydminster, Alta., he’s thrilled to be back on the ice — this time at the Winnipeg Ice prospects camp at the Rink Training Centre.

“I was having a good time on the ice,” said Cumby, chosen by the Ice in the fourth round of the 2020 WHL Draft. “It was nice to get back out there.”

Truth be told, the Bonnyville, Alta., product isn’t coming into the WHL camp cold. Last spring, he joined the Ice midway through its hub season in Regina, practising daily with the squad. He did not dress for any games.

Head coach James Patrick liked what he saw in May and has come away even more impressed early in training camp.

“We know he’s really raw but there is some athletic ability and drive and confidence,” said Patrick. “… My impression is he’s a kid who wants to get better and is willing to do whatever it takes. We were all really impressed with him — no fear and great work ethic — from the bubble… I’m seeing him five months later and he’s a big athletic (guy) with great size and some confidence now.”

Cumby, who scored 13 goals and 22 points in 30 games for the Lloydminster AAA U15 squad in 2019-20, has seen his offensive game grow in recent years.

“I went into my second year of bantam and that’s when I kind of started scoring a bit more,” he said. “I’ve just been helping my game by being more offensive player.”

Cumby has grown one inch and added 17 pounds since he was drafted.

Now more physically mature, can he contend for a regular roster spot? If not, his plan is to play for the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Lloydminster Bobcats.

“If you talk about what’s on paper, you’re saying he’s probably a longshot to make it and he’s going to need one more year (of) development,” said Patrick. “If he comes to (main) camp and is unbelievable and doesn’t give us a choice, you know, those things do happen.”

Another player hoping to transition from prospect to WHL regular is centre Brayden Edwards of Abottsford, B.C.

Edwards, a sixth-round pick in 2019 who turns 17 on Dec. 23, was a teammate of Ice forward Zach Benson at Yale Hockey Academy. His biggest asset?

“I definitely think it’s my relentlessness on the puck and my ability to create turnovers with the opposing team’s defence,” said the 6-1, 175-pounder. “I prefer centre but I can also play either wing.”

Edwards will be one of the prospects moving on to the start of main training camp Friday.

“The two days I’ve seen him on the ice I’ve been impressed,” said Patrick. “He scored a really nice goal (Thursday) but besides that I was just really impressed with his work ethic and skating. He’s certainly someone (assistant GM) Jake (Heisinger) has talked a lot about to us and a guy we expect to play for us at some time — and you know, the time should be now.”

BLUE LINES: Main camp opens Friday afternoon with the most veterans expected to skate. Right-winger Connor McClennon (Philadelphia Flyers) and goaltender Gage Alexander (Anaheim Ducks) are currently attending rookie camps with their respective NHL teams. Camp is not open to the general public but fans can attend Monday’s showcase intrasquad game at the Rink Training Centre. Game time is 10:30 a.m.

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @sawa14