The Labour Day weekend is one that Braydon Buziak will never forget.
After signing a Western Hockey League contract with the Regina Pats Thursday, the 18-year-old Battleford product found the back of the net during a 7-2 win over the Prince Alber Raiders in a pre-season contest Friday in Regina.
“It’s a great feeling to get that first goal under my belt and to also get that contract signed,” Buziak said after Friday’s game.
“Those are both huge accomplishments, but I need to continue working hard like I have been over the last week.”
Buziak’s road to the Pats has been an interesting one.
He was placed on the Pats protected list last year and attended the team’s training camp, but was dropped from their list midway through the season.
He came to Regina as a training camp invite last week and made the most of his opportunity.
“I had a really good start to the camp with a couple of goals and I just kept things up from there, which led to me signing a contract with the Pats,” Buziak said.
Prior to training camp, Buziak was debating whether he wanted to go the major junior route or keep his eligibility to play in college hockey in the United States.
In the end, the chance to play in the Western Hockey League and the atmosphere around the Pats proved to be the deciding factor.
“My goal is to play hockey at the best level possible and signing with the Pats was the best option,” Buziak said.
“I feel like I chose the right path here. I’ve fit in really well with the team and we have a really good group here that can do great things in the years to come.”
Buziak played with the Battlefords North Stars of the SJHL last season, where he had 19 points and 62 penalty minutes in 55 games.
“Playing with the North Stars helped me a lot,” Buziak said. “Going up against the bigger and stronger guys in Junior A has helped me for those same challenges here in the Western Hockey League.
“Practicing every day with Coach Kevin (Hasselberg) really helped as well. He pushed us to our limit in every practice to help us improve our game.”
Buziak’s first goal as a member of the Pats was typical of how he plays on a nightly basis.
He came away with the puck after battling with Rhett Rhinehart and Drew Warkentine of the Raiders before he fired a shot past netminder Curtis Meger.
“I like to get in there and cause trouble in front of the net,” Buziak said with a grin.
That hard-nosed style of play is what Buziak hopes to continue doing over the coming days as he looks to crack the opening night lineup for the Pats.
“I’m focusing a lot on my skating,” Buziak said. “I really want to get faster so I can keep up with these guys out here.
“I’ve been working out in the gym and on the ice every day in order to get bigger, faster and stronger. The coaches here really push us to get better and to do our very best.”
The Pats begin the 2016-17 regular season in Regina on Sept. 23 against the Raiders.
