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Many kids dream about a life in hockey, the great Canadian past time. However, Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Alex Friesen does, indeed, live the dream.
Ever since he can remember, hockey has been a part of his life. The now 20-year old Niagara IceDog centreman vividly remembers when he first picked up a hockey stick.
“I always remember my dad making an ice rink in the backyard for me and my brother,” said Friesen who made his organized hockey debut in the Niagara-on-the-Lake system, before making the move to AAA hockey in Niagara Falls when he was 12 years old.
“We had a great team in the Falls. I played with Justin Shugg (Carolina Hurricanes draft pick) Taylor Beck (Nashville Predators draft pick), Johnson Andrews (former Niagara IceDog) and a number of other guys that are playing locally now in the Jr. B loop.”
It was from playing in Niagara Falls that Friesen quickly learned that hockey was more than a sport. It quickly became a way of life.
Friesen’s midget numbers spoke for themselves, 45 goals, 67 assists, and 66 penalty minutes in just 69 games played.
That production had many predicting that he could go anywhere in the first three rounds of the Ontario Hockey League priority draft.
The wait was short. On May 5, 2007, Friesen was drafted in the second round, 35th overall, by the then Mississauga IceDogs. Later that spring, the team moved to Niagara.
“I was in total shock. I was following the draft on-line, and (Dave Brown) called me right after it came up on the screen. I really didn’t know what to expect, or where I was going. I think my parents really liked it too because my brother went away, and I was staying close to home so I think they liked that aspect of it.”
That’s right. Alex wasn’t the only Friesen to make it to the Ontario Hockey League. His older brother Gary was drafted in the third round, 52nd overall by the Oshawa Generals in 2003. Gary Friesen played a total of three OHL seasons with the Generals and Sudbury Wolves before moving on to play with the Brock Badgers.
“My family wasn’t too familiar with the whole OHL before, and I remember going to almost all of his (Gary’s) games. I really got a taste of the OHL, and what to expect, and I think that definitely helped me,” explained Alex Friesen.
Alex’s first year in the OHL, with the Niagara IceDogs, was definitely a learning experience. The former minor hockey star was a healthy scratch on many nights and finished with just five goals and 14 points in 46 games – a far cry from his midget numbers.
“It was definitely a big jump from midget, and I was frustrated at times, but I got through it.”
And get through it he did - with flying colours.
Friesen’s numbers and ice-time continued to soar in his second and third years in the league. In 2008, his NHL draft year, he had 11 goals and 33 points, then added 23 goals and 37 helpers during the 2009-2010 campaign.
60 points isn’t overly impressive at the OHL level. But what was, and continues to be, is Friesen’s work ethic, and one of the most underrated statistics in hockey – faceoffs.
On any given night Friesen can play forward, or on the point or on the powerplay. He kills penalties, lays thunderous body checks, and is relied upon for key faceoffs in the defensive zone and during the most important times of a hockey game.
That didn’t go unnoticed by NHL scouts and Friesen was about to take another step forward in his hockey career.
He was drafted to the National Hockey League in the 6th round (172nd overall) by the Vancouver Canucks in 2010. That’s a long way from playing on his Dad’s backyard rink.
“It was awesome. Getting drafted in my second year of eligibility was something special,” a smiling Friesen said. “Going to an NHL camp really opens your eyes to see what it takes to get to the next level, how hard some of these guys work, and the commitment that’s involved to make the next step.”
After his first NHL camp in the summer of 2010, Vancouver returned Friesen to Niagara where he had a career-high with the IceDogs scoring 26 goals and 66 points in just 60 games.
Those numbers guaranteed Friesen would be back at the Canucks Training Camp this year. His hard work, both on and off the ice over the summer, paid off once again as Friesen played in his first NHL game, albeit exhibition, against the Calgary Flames.
Friesen’s mom, dad, aunt and grandfather even flew out for the occasion.
“It’s something I’ll never forget. Stepping onto the ice, and everyone there. It really surprised me how supportive and how nice everyone involved with the team was. They really want you to do well. It really reflects well on the organization.”
After a few days at main camp in Vancouver, Friesen was sent to the Canucks American Hockey League affiliate Chicago Wolves, where he played in three games registering an assist.
It was in Chicago that Friesen quickly learned about the business side of hockey once again. The Canucks brass wanted him to stay in Chicago and play upwards of 25 games without signing him to an entry level NHL contract.
After much contemplation and talks with his agent and family, Alex decided it was best for his hockey career to return to Niagara, to a team that many predict has a chance to advance to the Memorial Cup this season.
“My first camp went well, my second camp went a little better, and I’m hoping to carry that through with a another great year with the IceDogs into my third camp to make an even bigger impression and sign and stick to at least the AHL.”
Friesen’s supporters certainly have the pedigrees to assess and dissect his game. His main contact in Vancouver is former NHLer Dave Gagner, who is now the Canucks Director of Player Development, while his personal skating coach has local hockey connections. Hamilton, Ontario native Ryan Lounsbury is the former assistant coach with the Brock Badgers Men’s Hockey team. Throw in another former NHLer in Craig MacTavish and Friesen has the resources to improve and develop his game.
“Vancouver always talks about their team speed, and they want their game to be played at a high-level. That’s why I worked with Ryan Lounsbury – to improve my skating. Craig MacTavish (Head Coach in Chicago) really harped on adding pieces of your game to make you a complete player, so that’s what I want to keep doing. I win faceoffs; I have to keep doing that. I need to keep playing two-way hockey, I can’t just make it as a one-way player.”
While many 20 year-olds are worried about part-time jobs, their girlfriends, or what bar they’re going to on Friday night, Friesen spends most of his days at the gym.
“Training never really stops. If you’re not training almost every day you’re a step behind. Even throughout the year, I think you’re spending a lot more time at the gym than at the rink,” said Friesen who also somehow finds the time to take a psychology course at Brock University.
What makes Friesen even more impressive is his professionalism and humbleness.
“I don’t think too many people get this opportunity. It’s awesome. It’s my fifth year (with the IceDogs) and I love playing in the Niagara Region. To get my friends and family out to watch and support me every night is something I’ll never forget, and definitely helps a lot. To know that so many people support you, it definitely makes the whole experience so much more enjoyable.”
Just over four years after being drafted to the OHL, and 17 months after being selected by Vancouver in the NHL entry draft, Friesen is the first to admit that hockey is more than a sport. It’s now his job.
“For sure, it’s a business. And you have to remember that. It’s a job. It’s all about money, not just about hockey anymore. You know that, and you just have to stay focused.”
And if Friesen continues on his current path that “whole experience” will indeed take him to the next level.
Notes: Alex’s sister Julia also has athletic genes. She’s currently on an academic scholarship, and playing varsity soccer with the St. Lawrence University Saints in Canton, New York. Friesen’s father is a guidance/co-operative education teacher at Governor Simcoe Secondary School in St. Catharines, while his mother Lucy is Chief Marketing Officer at Pillitteri Estate Wineries in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
