A second-year Donnelly-area hockey player has been selected to suit up for Team Alberta North at the 2008 Arctic Winter Games in Yellowknife this March. Fourteen-year-old Dallas Brochu, the son of Robert and Louise Brochu, was one of an elite group of 17 players recently hand-picked to represent his province at the prestigious event being hosted by Yellowknife from March 9 to 15. “It’s pretty exciting to be a part of Team Alberta North,” says a soft spoken Brochu, a first line centre currently enjoying his second year with the Smoky River bantam squad. “I’m definitely looking forward to the experience. It should be a lot of fun.” Brochu, who has been involved in the region’s minor hockey program for the past eight years. “I wasn’t really expecting to get the call.” But that all changed on the evening of Jan. 14 when he was contacted by the team’s assistant coach, who informed him that he cracked the roster. “I guess the first time’s a charm,” says Brochu. The local hockey product was one of 155 players who travelled to Valleyview on the weekend of Jan. 11 to 13 to vie for a spot in the lineup during the Team Alberta North bantam tryout camp. “I thought it went fairly well,” says Brochu, who stands 5’8” and weighs in at about 135 pounds. And while he’s certainly not the biggest player in the Team Alberta North lineup, Brochu more than makes up for it with his agility, on-ice prowess and thoroughbred-like speed. “That’s what stood out most about Dallas from the perspective of our coaching staff – his speed,” says Don Terpsma, head coach of Team Alberta North. “He’s a good playmaker with genuine offensive skills. We really feel his style is a good fit for this team and the Olympic-sized ice surface we’ll be playing on.” Equally impressed with the play of Brochu is Greg Gauchier, who currently coaches the Smoky River Minor Hockey Association product. “I always refer to Dallas as the spark plug on our team engine,” says Gauchier. “He’s our go-to guy.” Gauchier adds that Brochu is one of those rare hockey players who possesses all the tangibles to go far in the sport, including exceptional hands and skating ability. “Dallas is one of those players which every coach wants on their team. He’s extremely coachable... definitely a good first or second line candidate on the Team Alberta North club.” Lineup announced Other players making the provincial squad include goaltenders Bud Dyck (Slave Lake) and Kade Holt of Peace River; defensemen Sheldon Dionne and Bryton Wagner of Fairview, Brett Breitkreuz of Grande Prairie, Morgan Eaton of Valleyview, Devon Melmoth of Grovedale and Fred Schmidt of La Crete. Forwards are Kevin Garner, Kenton Helgesen and Brett Jonson of Fairview, Hayden Grace of Grande Prairie, Michael Lambert of Fort Vermillion, Parker Schamehorn of Peace River, Tye Sperling of Valleyview and Tyrin Wiebe of La Crete.