By Jeff D'Andrea

1st Senator’s Cup to feature role models like ex-Raider McCallum

Apr 7, 2015 | 7:11 AM

One of the biggest reasons why the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) decided to throw its first Senator’s Cup Full Contact Hockey Tournament was to give young children in the area hockey heroes to look up to.

“Our young population would be able to see this, and these are role models for our young people,” said Mel Mercredi, manager of sports, culture and recreation for the PAGC.

That means a lot to Craig McCallum, who will play in the tournament this week.

McCallum, who played a year with the Prince Albert Raiders before five with the University of Saskatchewan, is proud to take on that role of role model.

“I’ve always prided myself in trying to be someone that kids can look up to,” said McCallum, who hails from Canoe Lake.  “Growing up and looking back on my own life, there weren’t too many I could look up to and aspire to be like, you know?  Having that opportunity to do that myself, it means I’m doing something right in my own life.

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“If I can inspire a couple kids to go down a different path, do something different and positive with their lives, then I think that’s a job well done.”

McCallum was a role model of sorts on his Huskies team this year. In his fifth and final year with the Huskies, McCallum led the team in goals (12) and points (26) in 28 games this season. McCallum also represented Canada at the 2015 Winter Universiade in Granada, Spain and won bronze with the team in February.

Although he’s played 128 games since 2010 with the Huskies, McCallum wishes he could still play a few more.

“It went by way too fast,” said McCallum. “Playing with the group of guys I did over the last five years, no one can every take that away from us. The things we did, won Canada West in 2010, went to nationals three times, going with four other teammates to Spain and playing for Team Canada there were a lot of highs and a lot of positive things on the ice.

“Being able to have that support behind you when you were in school, it definitely changed my life and opened up a lot of doors.”

After this weekend’s Senator’s Cup tournament, McCallum plans to finish up a few courses to complete his education degree before exploring a few professional hockey options that are “out there” for him.

Also participating in this weekend’s tournament are players like Dylan Yeo, D.J. King, Wacey Rabbit and two current Prince Albert Raiders in goaltender Rylan Parenteau and his goaltending coach Kelly Guard.

There are 12 teams confirmed for the inaugural tournament, which will be held Friday to Sunday at the Art Hauser Centre. Tickets are $10 per day. Games will go from 12 p.m. – 10 p.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

The tournament champion will take home a $15,000 grand prize.

jdandrea@panow.com

On Twitter: @jeff_dandrea