'I was pumped': Keets Fawcett ready for next chapter with Pats after trade
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Keets Fawcett is hopeful a move to the Queen City can provide a fresh start. The forward was traded from the Calgary Hit...
Keets Fawcett is hopeful a move to the Queen City can provide a fresh start.
The forward was traded from the Calgary Hitmen to the Regina Pats last week. That WHL deal brought Fawcett, defenceman Reese Hamilton, and a couple of picks to the Pats while Tanner Howe was sent to the Hitmen.
“When I first found out (I was traded), I was real excited to come here and get a fresh start. It’s a great organization,” the 18-year-old winger said. “I was pumped.”
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Fawcett, who is from Grimshaw, Alta., had 45 points (19 goals, 26 assists) in his first WHL season last year. This year has seen Fawcett struggle to start the season, with just seven points (two goals, five assists) in 19 games with the Hitmen. In two games with the Pats, Fawcett has a goal.
“Being in Calgary for the last three years and playing midget there, I just needed to find a new spark and I think that started with coming here,” Fawcett said.
Pats head coach Brad Herauf believes Fawcett could help them for years to come.
“He’s always been a player that I have admired from afar. When I knew he could possibly be a part of the (trade) package, I thought it was a really good add for our team,” Herauf said.
“He’s 18 years old and expect him to be here for the next two-and-a-half years, so I see him being a big part of our future.”
In order to get Fawcett and Hamilton, the team did trade away Howe, who was the captain of the team.
“He was a five-year guy here and someone I had since draft day. It’s always tough to lose players like that, but it’s part of what we are doing right now and part of our build. Hopefully it’s the last player like Tanner we have to trade away,” Herauf said.
While getting traded as a junior player can be tough, Fawcett said familiar faces like Zackary Shantz, Connor Bear, and Aleksey Chichkin have made it an easy transition.
“Everyone is super nice. Some guys have had similar situations, so everyone understands what it’s like. Everyone has been super great to me,” Fawcett said.
He also said it was nice to come to a club that wanted him to be a part of the trade deal.
“You’re motivated to prove something … and have people to prove wrong,” Fawcett said. “I’m excited.”
As Agribition takes over the Brandt Centre this week, the Pats are heading out on a B.C. road trip for five straight games against opponents from that province, followed by a stop in Edmonton to face the Oil Kings before returning home for a Dec. 13 game against the Saskatoon Blades.
Fawcett will join the team for the road trip, while Hamilton will join after the CHL/USA top prospects challenge.
“We just got done our U.S. roadie with Calgary so I’ll be hopping back on the bus. I think I’ll play in every arena this year. That’s cool, it doesn’t always happen,” Fawcett said.
“I think we are going to do really good and make some strides as a team.”
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