Nelson Home Building Centre Leafs Player Profile of the Week — Austin Seaman
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Life, as Austin Seaman sees it took a big turn for the worst in early December in Fernie.
Playing a regular shift against the Ghostriders, the Alberta native heard a “pop” sound coming from his knee.
Following the game the rugged rearguard experienced difficulty walking. The after the Leafs returned from the East Kootenay with tails between their legs following the 7-2 drubbing, Seaman went to the hospital and found he had dislocated his knee.
Nearly two months of rebab later, Seaman made his return to a depleted Leafs blueline against the Castlegar Rebels — which is great news for the coaching staff searching for defenceman.
Seaman will be counted on to provide some quality minutes as Nelson plays out the regular season — starting Friday against Grand Forks Border Bruins in a home-and-home series with a 7 p.m. puck drop — and begins what many hope, Seaman included, is a long playoff run culminating with the Cyclone Taylor Tournament.
The Nelson Daily.com, in conjunction with Nelson Home Building Centre present a closer look at Austin Seaman in the Leafs Player Profile of the Week.
Nelson Home Building Centre Leafs Player Profile of the Week
Austin Seaman
Position: Defenceman
Age: 18
Place of birth: Edmonton, Alta.
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 185 pounds
Years in Hockey: 15
Last team: Calgary Buffaloes Midget AAA
Hometown: Calgary, Alta.
Favorite NHL Player: Kris Letang
Favorite NHL Team: Philadelphia Flyers
Junior Hockey stats: 34 games, four goals, six assists — 10 points
Music do you listen to: Dubstep
Pre-Game Meal: Steak
Biggest accomplishment in hockey: Going to Bantam AAA Western Finals, losing in Double OT final to Winnipeg
Job: Pacific Insight
Nickname: Seams
Other interests: Skiing, cliff jumping, wake boarding
Twitter, Facebook, Instagram: Like them all
The Nelson Daily: How did you come to play hockey for the Leafs?
Austin Seaman: I got called about two years ago about the team. Cyclone Taylor was a big influence but the Leafs seemed like the best organization to play for.
TND: What type of a player are you?
A.S.: I’d say I’m a defensive defencesman who likes to rush the puck when I can. But normally I stay back.
TND: What was the biggest adjustment you had to make to play Junior B hockey?
A.S.:The KIJHL is a tough, hard hitting league so I had to become more of a physical player and a bit more faster at moving the puck.
TND: You suffered a serious injury in Fernie back in December. How difficult has it been to sit on the sidelines and rehab the knee?
A.S.: Firstly, it was a freak injury. I don’t really know how it happened. I just heard a pop. . . dislocating my knee. As for the injury, it just sucks. It’s been so hard to sit on the sidelines and watch the team.
TND: What are your individual goals next season and beyond?
A.S.: Hopefully I’m going to try to go Junior A. And if not, I want to get a degree in school.
TND: In 5 years?
A.S.: I was to either get my degree and still playing hockey.
TND: In 10 years?
A.S.: Having a solid business or having a solid NCAA career and getting my life on which will probably be either way up in oil and gas or start a retail business.
