Game On Magazine 2017 Nov Game On low res | Page 112

PROFILE
ERIC
ALARIE
Alarie Looks Like
a WHL Top 10 Pick
B Y S C O T T TAY L O R
Photos by Bruce Fedyck
1 1 2 | G AM E ON | N OVEM BER 2017
RHA Nationals Bantam Head
Coach Brad Purdie doesn’t
get overly excited talking
about young hockey players.
After all, last year’s inaugural
version of the Bantam
Nationals was an outstanding
team that had nine Western
Hockey League draft picks.
However, when talk turns to
the size, skill and commitment
of former minor bantam
Warriors star, Eric Alarie,
Purdie at least offers up a wry
smile.
“Eric is a big body who
controls the puck really well,”
said Purdie. “He plays hard
along the boards, has a real
good shot and sees the ice
really well.
“He’s a quiet, hard-
working kid who leads more
by example than by being a
rah-rah type guy. He was voted
an assistant captain this year
by the players so he definitely
has their respect. He’s a guy
that this year, we’re going to
count on a lot to lead our team
and make sure that guys are
following. We hope the guys
work as hard as he does.”
There is no question this
young man has skills. With
the Warriors minor bantams
last season, Alarie had 34
goals and 90 points in just
29 games. He was called up
to play two games with the
Triple A Bantam club and had
a goal and an assist. In his first
two games of the season with
RHA, he had three goals and
five points.
He’s going to be a star.
“He’s big and it’s tough to
get the puck off him along
the boards,” Purdie added.
“He has a nose for the net
and he’s really dialed in to
what he needs to do in order
to get better. He asks a lot
of questions. When we do
video sessions, he’s the kid
who wants to stop and re-
wind. He’s really focused and
dedicated to getting to the
next level.”
He’s also loving his time
with RHA. The team plays in
the Canadian School Sports
Hockey League and he goes
to Shaftesbury High School
in the morning and works on
his game in the afternoon. It’s
a complete academic-hockey
experience.
“I really enjoy it,” said Alarie
with a smile. “I like having
practice every day. It’s good
intensity.”