The Yorkton Terriers appeared to have lucked out when first line forward Kailum Gervais didn't report to Brandon Wheat Kings camp this August. Gervais, a crucial two way forward who gave protection to Jeremy Johnson and Tyler Giebel at the same time as contributing more than his fair share of offensive punch, wasn't interested in the role the Wheat Kings were offering and elected to stay with the SJHL champs for training camp.
That changed over the weekend as rumours swirled that the forwards rights were about to be acquired by the Red Deer Rebels who according to Gervais offered a much more enticing role than the Wheat Kings, who were mostly interested in Gervais as a fighter.
"When the Wheat Kings touched base with me they let me know they wanted me to mostly fight and I felt that I can offer more to the table than just fighting and Red Deer seems to feel that way as well so I am excited for a new opportunity in a new environment," says Gervais.
Gervais has the numbers to back up his belief that he can be much more than an enforcer in the Western Hockey League if he continues to develop. The 1995 born Gervais scored 13 goals and posted 25 more points on assists in his first full Junior season making the jump from splitting time with the Yorkton Harvest in 2011/12 to playing on the Terriers championship winning first line.
In the playoffs Gervais continued to show his value, in Round One against the Bruins he kept the underdog Estevan team from pushing around the Terriers. He even played hurt, missing a handful of games, but coming back everytime in a playoffs where he scored four goals and posted four assists. At the Western Canada Cup in Nanaimo Gervais was in on the scoresheet in the tournament semifinal to lead the Terriers over the host Nanaimo Clippers before Yorkton fell one game short of the Royal Bank Cup in a 1-0 loss to the Brooks Bandits.
Heading to Red Deer Gervais mentioned that he feels confident in his ability to make the team due to the fact that Red Deer reached out to acquire him and are interested in his physical edge as well as for his skill. Two things that the Terriers are sure to miss.
Before leaving to Red Deer Gervais made it clear that his experience in Yorkton will be one that he won't forget and hinted that if he does get sent back down that he would be more than ready to step into a championship defense run. "I had a great experience playing with some of the best teammates I have ever had with the Terriers and winning a championship is experience I will never forget," says Gervais. "I have to thank Trent and the rest of the coaches for helping me develop into a stronger player and who knows maybe down the line I will be back."
