Conor Geekie chose not to spend the summer sulking.
Not only was he forced to watch almost all of the rookie development camp from the sidelines — including the annual black and white scrimmage — following a minor injury, but he was also unable to attend Team Canada’s development camp the following week.
Rather than feeling sorry for himself, though, he embraced the challenge in front of him.
“It’s been a big summer for me,” Geekie said. “Obviously my injury was a setback, but that’s just a learning curve.”
The 18-year-old, who signed a Three-year entry-level contract with the Coyotes on July 18, has remained in The Valley ever since he was selected 11th overall last month. He was also invited to Canada’s National Junior Team Summer Development Camp that took place July 23-27 in Calgary but was unable to attend while rehabbing the injury.
He instead used the recovery time to focus on getting into better shape for September’s rookie camp, spending time on the ice with the Coyotes forward. Clayton Keller in the process.
“Being able to skate with Kells is a pretty big advantage, and it’s a lot of fun,” Geekie said. “You see the things he does on the ice, and it kind of wows you.”
Geekie still hopes to get a look from Team Canada for the 2023 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship, especially as he watches his Winnipeg ICE teammate (and roommate), Maximilian Streule, play for Team Switzerland in the rescheduled 2022 tournament that’s currently taking place.
The work he’s putting in this summer will likely go a long way in helping him achieve that goal of playing in the 2023 tournament, which is set for Dec. 26 – Jan. 5 in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Moncton, New Brunswick.
“It’s cool to see all your friends, but I wish I could be there,” Geekie said. “I’m going to do everything I can to try and get there. I’m just kind of taking things day by day, and for sure, I’d love to go, I think that’s every kid’s dream growing up.”
He already had quite a foundation in place considering his successful 2021-22 WHL season, where he recorded 24 goals and 46 assists in 63 games with the ICE.
The Strathclair, Manitoba native said he’s working on his strength, speed, and overall preparation, and the ability to train alongside Keller has already had quite an impact.
“You just learn how it is to be like a pro, because he’s one of the best in the league with how he eats, how he prepares, all that good stuff,” Geekie said. “Again, on the ice is one thing, but just him as a person is another thing.”
That off-the-ice preparation has been a big part of his summer as he has adjusted to life in the desert, which goes beyond just a change in scenery. He’s learning what it takes to become a professional hockey player – the routines, the workouts, and even the time away from his loved ones, whom he hasn’t seen since before the NHL Draft.
All in a day’s work.
“It’s kind of the start of your lifestyle – you’re living, you’re cooking, although I wouldn’t say our cooking is that good,” Geekie joked. “It’s the start of a life. It puts a smile on my face every day to be able to come to the rink and be in the desert, for sure.”
The WHL’s ICE finished a league-best 53-10-5 last season, and Geekie’s 70 points were fourth-best on the team. They ran into a buzzsaw in the playoffs, ultimately losing the Eastern Conference Final in five games to the Edmonton Oil Kings, who are led by fellow-Coyotes prospect Dylan Guenther.
Geekie’s aware of the benefits this offseason will have on his upcoming season with the ICE, but he remains focused on the Coyotes for now, especially with rookie camp just under a month away. He feels he’s already become a better hockey player this summer by leveraging the resources afforded to him, and the best is yet to come.
“Everyone here, when it comes to management, athletic therapists, or strength coaches, I’m using all the resources to help me get to where I am, and I’m thankful for that,” Geekie said. “Winnipeg, I think we have a real good team. I’m obviously going to try and crack this squad as best I can, but with Winnipeg, it’ll be a cool experience.”
Until then, though, Geekie plans on taking full advantage of everything Arizona has to offer.
And yes, that includes the summer heat, which pairs very well with his sense of humor.
“It definitely feels like home,” he said. “I’m in the pool quite a bit, obviously, trying to get a tan with my pasty white skin. I think we’re coming along.”
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