The green and gold looked good on Brayden Watts, as he had the best year of his WHL career as a member of the Prince Albert Raiders. He will look to build on that success in the professional ranks this winter. (Jeff D'Andrea/paNOW Staff)

By Trevor Redden

Wichita Watts

‘Dream come true’ for Watts to join hometown organization

Nov 3, 2020 | 12:36 PM

After graduating early from the Prince Albert Raiders this spring due to a COVID-halted season, a summer of uncertainty is giving way to a winter of excitement for Brayden Watts.

In his final year of junior hockey, Watts had a change of scenery as he was dealt from the Vancouver Giants early in the season. It didn’t take him long to settle into his new home, as Watts posted career-best numbers in the green and gold, scoring 29 goals and 32 assists in 61 games played.

The Bakersfield, California native hoped to springboard from a successful junior finale into a professional career, but the phone wasn’t ringing.

“As a graduating player you want to know what your next step is going to be to move on with your future. Nothing was really happening, and it kind of just drug out. As time went on, you get into a routine and focus on what you’re doing right now,” Watts said.

With no definite plan, Watts settled into a training regimen in Bakersfield, focused on work in the gym as no ice was available in his hometown. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the nearest available ice was an hour-and-a-half away in Los Angeles, a trip that he made twice a week until facilities reopened at home in September.

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“Luckily I have two long-time AHL guys in town that played for the [Edmonton Oilers AHL affiliate] Condors, they came back and run me through skates. They’re teaching me a lot. I’m learning a lot from those guys, so I’m very fortunate really,” Watts explained.

As summer gave way to fall and the forward still didn’t know what the future had in store, the ECHL announced a start date of Dec. 11, while other leagues like the AHL and NHL remained quiet regarding a confirmed return to action.

Additionally, COVID restrictions in different jurisdictions made returning to play a financial impossibility for two teams. The ECHL’s Atlanta Gladiators and Norfolk Admirals have taken a voluntary leave for one season, which has led to a trickle-down impact on other teams. Players on those teams have been released to join other rosters, putting spots into high demand.

Watts had originally hoped to secure an AHL deal, or at the very least accept a training camp invite in hopes of earning a spot in the NHL’s primary development league. However, due to changing circumstances, he seized the opportunity to join the Wichita Thunder of the ECHL, with the team announcing his signing late last week.

A big part of the decision to go to Wichita is that the Thunder are the ECHL affiliate of the Condors. While Watts is committed to the Thunder, he confirmed he will be attending camp in Bakersfield when the time comes.

“Super excited. My family is super excited. That’s kind of why I chose the route of signing with Bakersfield’s ECHL team so I have a chance to go through my hometown, which would be a dream come true,” Watts pointed out.

With Wichita’s training camp coming up at the end of the month, Watts is making the most out of his remaining time in sunny California. He noted temperatures are just now getting to a comfortable level for golfing, with daytime highs in the 80s rather than the 90s or higher.

Last week he hit the course with Prince Albert’s Dave Manson, now an assistant coach with the Condors.

“He’s super nice, one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met,” Watts said, before noting the hulking Manson left a lasting impression.

“He absolutely pounds the ball. It’s insane.”

In a couple weeks, Watts will be stowing his golf clubs as he makes the trek to a cooler climate in Kansas to start his professional hockey career.

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trevor.redden@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @Trevor_Redden