Even though Dallin Wolf never stuck in the WHL, he had a blast trying out for it.
The 18-year-old forward travelled south of the 49th parallel at the end of August to attend his first training camp with the Tri-City Americans, which listed him last July.
Wolf got in four preseason games with the Americans, but was released on a week ago, returning to his hometown to suit up for the Kimberley Dynamiters.
"It was really fun and a great experience," said Wolf.
He even crossed paths with the Kootenay Ice during his preseason stint, dropping the mitts with Ice defenseman Tanner Muth in a scrap when the two teams faced each other three weeks ago.
It was a big change for him to move up into major-junior hockey, he said.
"It was a big step up from what I'm used to, and everybody was really good and it was really professional," Wolf said.
However, Tri-City's management sent him back down to the Dynamiters on Sept. 17.
"They told me that I did good, but I needed to just get better with my overall speed of play and come back next year, I guess," Wolf said.
After being released, he was able to make it back for last Friday's tilt against the Fernie Ghostriders in his home barn, contributing a goal and an assist as he helped lead his team to a 4-1 victory.
The Nitros are surely grateful for his return, as he played in 39 games for the club last year, posting 14 points and adding a big physical presence to the forward ranks.
And he's eager to get down to work with his hometown team.
"We got a lot of good young talent his year and a lot of hard working kids and I think it's going to be a pretty good season," Wolf said.