It’s evident when you speak with him that Devon Becker is loving life as a member of the Oil Capitals.
“It’s been a real good change for me,” said the 20-year-old blueliner who was acquired by Virden from the Weyburn Red Wings last October. “It’s been fun. The team is doing really well.”
Since he arrived, the Langley, B.C. product has been paired with younger players such as Justin Lee and Marco Creta, helping them with their development in the MJHL – and he’s enjoyed every minute of it.
“They’re both good defencemen. Pretty good offensively and great skaters,” Becker added.
The Oil Caps are in a battle for second place in the MJHL standings and have the makings of a team that can make waves when the playoffs roll around next month. Becker says winning a junior A title would be something he’d never forget.
“It would be something that would last a lifetime. It would be a pretty amazing experience.”
Becker says his billet – that of Janice Nylin – made him feel ‘right at home’ ever since the first day he arrived in Virden.
“The first day I got here after the morning skate, I got there and I got offered breakfast right away, which was pretty cool,” he said with a smile. “It’s been really nice.”
Prior to joining the Oil Caps, Becker participated in the Maccabiah Games in Israel where he played for Team Canada. He helped the Canadian squad go undefeated, eventually going on to win gold at the event.
The Maccabiah Games, held every four years, consists of approximately 10,000 athletes from 80 countries competing in more than 45 different sports. Hockey made its Maccabiah Games debut back in 2013. In order to take part in the event, participants have to have Jewish bloodlines. Becker took part in a tryout in Toronto, eventually making the Canadian squad.
“It was an amazing experiencing that culture in a different part of the world and people who have never seen ice hockey before,” he said. “We also sold out the building we played in which was pretty cool. Playing for Team Canada is always an honour.”
Becker, who will be graduating after this season from junior A hockey, says he’s been in discussions with some different post secondary schools. However he has no definite plans on where he’s headed to next in his hockey career.