Tofield’s Landon Van Engelen gets drafted in the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft

Tofield’s Landon Van Engelen has been on one heck of a ride, and he hasn’t even reached the start line yet.

On Thursday, May 2, the Portland Winterhawks selected Van Engelen in the ninth round of the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft.

Still in school, Van Engelen heard the news while in class, and couldn’t have been more thrilled.

“It’s an honour to be picked by Portland, and is just the beginning because you still have to make the team now,” Van Engelen said. “All of us in the 2019 draft class will receive some training camp invitations and we will go to Portland to attend it in fall, however, we cannot play there until the next year at the age of 16! I’m still excited to meet the team, make new friends, and everything the team has to offer.”

As a young kid, Van Engelen started skating at the age of three on their backyard rink, built by his dad, Jeff Van Engelen, local business owner, and a hockey coach himself.

“I started playing minor hockey at the age of five because I really liked the speed and the competitiveness, besides all the friendships and fun I had along the way,” Van Engelen added. “But it’s pretty tough, trying to balance everything. I’m also trying to be better at school this year, and with the help of good teachers and a tutor, am getitng there; it is demanding, but we are trying to work together.” . . . contd.