JAMES
MAXWELL
M AT T H E W
S TA N L E Y
Cousins on the Ice
B Y J O H N P L O S Z AY
Photos by Laurie Anderson and
courtesy the Lethbridge Hurricanes
Hockey continues to shape
the characters of Swan Valley
Stampeders’ James Maxwell
and Lethbridge Hurricanes’
Matthew Stanley.
And for very good reason. The
game, after all, is in the blood.
Cousins from families that
grew up on hockey, both players
are learning what it takes to
play at a high level. Hard work,
sacrifice, and finding that
spot in your gut that allows a
player to turn disappointment
into perseverance is all part of
growing up around the game.
But for these two young men,
it’s also about fuel – the fuel to
play hard, get better, and win.
Coming from the Interlake
where the pool of players has
thinned out over the years,
both cousins were counted on
to lead their respective teams.
Having fathers that were
both hockey players added
pressure. James’ dad Ted was
once a Prince Albert Raiders
prospect while Matthew's dad
Daryl was an NHL veteran
and since retirement has been
a pro scout for many years.
STANLEY TRADED BY SWIFT
CURRENT THIS SEASON
Matthew Stanley is the
older of the two cousins. At
6-foot-1, 177 pounds, he
played all his childhood hockey
in Stonewall with the Blues.
He moved up to play with
both the City and Provincial
Interlake Lightning teams.
Eventually, he was drafted
by the Swift Current Broncos
of the WHL and the Steinbach
Pistons of the MJHL. He
played as a 17-year-old with
the Pistons and then made the
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