Photo courtesy Owen Palfreyman

By Caden Fanshaw

WHL

Cariboo D-man getting ready for WHL debut with Hitmen

Feb 25, 2021 | 4:24 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – As the WHL’s Alberta opening date nears, there will be some Northern BC and Yukon talent to watch for.

Owen Palfreyman played for the Cariboo Cougars U18 AAA squad last season, getting in 37 games collecting one goal and 11 assists on the back-end for the cats.

Palfreyman was born in Whitehorse, spending time in Vernon growing up before returning to Yukon territory to play Bantam hockey before coming to Prince George.

He was not drafted in the WHL Bantam Draft, but hard work pays off according to those who coached him.

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“He was someone who used his time on the ice and his portion of this year to the best of his abilities, and I just felt like he was getting better every single day,” says RJay Berra.

Palfreyman will become the 10th Yukon player to ever play in the Western Hockey League when he hits the ice.

The six-foot-four defenseman says he’s been getting used to the level of competitiveness from those in camp so far and is just focused on getting better each and every day.

Palfreyman is not focusing too much on when his WHL debut may end up being, but instead just focusing on improving as much as he can.

The 17-year-old wanted to ensure his thanks to the Grey Eagle Casino-Hotel were included in our CKPG News coverage, calling their commitment to the Hitmen operation unbelievable.

The Hitmen roster currently consists of 22 players, a number they will more than likely carry into the regular season.

Other returning players have been a big help for Palfreyman in the bubble, giving credit to Luke Prokop and Jackson van de Leest for a smooth transition.

The Hitmen begin their season Friday, March 5th against the Red Deer Rebels.