Summerside family counts the days until son makes Canada Games debut
As soon as you step through their front door, you can see evidence of the Zhang family’s love of hockey everywhere.
It’s the photos hanging on the walls, the framed newspaper clippings on coffee tables, and the countless black dents in the garage door behind a worn hockey net – evidence of the years of wrist shots Brian Zhang practiced there.
The clan’s love of the sport began when Brian stepped onto the ice at Summerside at the age of four. Now, at 15, he’s bringing that love to the Canada Games.
“That’s what I’ve set myself as a goal and now we’re here. It’s a pretty great achievement,” said Brian.
After setting his sights on playing for Team PEI, Brian waited months to find out if he had made it.
Then the Canada Games organization released a video of the final lineup and he saw his name appear on the screen.
“I just checked out the video they posted and I watched it with anticipation and I was just super happy and proud that I made it when I found out,” he said.
“That’s exactly how I found out… It’s very nerve wracking.”
Now, in addition to his practice sessions with the Kensington Wilds Major U18 team, Brian has taken to the ice with the Team PEI men’s hockey team in preparation for games beginning February 18th.
He said there are many familiar faces on the team and he enjoys meeting new players too.
Started out as fun
Brian said the team that got him here is far bigger than just the people he overtakes on the ice. Ice hockey has really become a family affair. His mother and father were a great support.
His father Yang Zhang said hockey was a brand new sport for him when he and his wife Lucy, originally from China, moved to PEI
“I’ve never played ice hockey in China. I can’t skate,” Yang said. He soon noticed how many other families were into hockey and thought Brian should give it a try.
Fast forward to more than a decade later and the Canada Games.
“It started with fun, right?” said Yang. “Every year he trained hard and we got to that stage. [It’s] very hard, but we got here.”
Brian is on the ice at least four days a week and trains off the ice almost every day, which often means getting up before sunrise, his mother Lucy Zhang said.
“He’s done a lot and we’ve done a lot,” she said. “It sure isn’t easy getting to the Canada Games…
“All that early morning practice and late games and dry land practice – he’s happy and we’re happy. I just feel very special and excited and proud.”
For Brian, the best thing about the sport is the friends he’s made along the way. He knows the group is getting bigger.
“I’m really looking forward to the athletes’ village, just all the athletes and coaches,” he said.
“It should be fun. [I] should be able to make some new friends and trade some pins – that’s a big deal from what I’ve heard.
“Sport is not just sport”
Lucy Zhang said Brian was very fortunate to have coaches and teammates who supported him along the way.
“The hockey community on PEI has really helped our family… We really appreciate the opportunity to get into hockey,” she said.
Through this commitment, she met new people and made long-lasting friendships after moving to the PEI, she said.
“Sport isn’t just sport. Sport is pretty much our life. Sport has helped us to meet more people.”
Lucy Zhang hopes Brian’s story will encourage others to get involved in sports, especially when moving to a new place.
“Don’t be afraid, don’t be shy and try your best to get into any sport, don’t [just] hockey,” she said. “The sport will help you learn about the culture and immerse yourself in life and the community.”
ice home advantage
Brian said his grandparents get to see him play at rinks that have become his second home, including Summerside’s Credit Union Place.
“I’ve been playing on this ice for 10 years now,” he said. “It will be a very special opportunity and a very special feeling to play there.”
The Zhangs all have their tickets and are counting down the days left until the opening ceremony on February 18th. And that includes one of Brian’s biggest fans: his younger brother Marek.
“It’s exciting to see my brother at the Canada Games,” Marek told CBC News.
He has been following in his brother’s footsteps and playing ice hockey since he was three years old. He trains with Brain all the time and hopes to one day take his hockey career just as far.
For the time being, he only has one request for his big brother: “See if you can score.”