Riley Shamray of the Dauphin Kings was one of 60 MJHL players selected to participate in the second annual SJHL/MJHL Player Showcase taking place in Regina. The MJHL sent three teams with players all having one goal in mind ─ to catch the attention of a scout.
“It’s been a lot of fun,” said Shamray, who is suiting up for Team Zajac (named in honour of NHLer Travis Zajac, who suited up for St. James Canadians). “The competition level is very, very high.
“It’s like going out there and playing against every team’s top line shift after shift. It’s very high level of competition.”
Rounding out the MJHL contingents are Team Belfour (named in honour of Winkler product Eddie Belfour) and Team Garbutt (named in honour of former Winnipeg Blue/NHLer Ryan Garbutt).
Shamray, who hails from Oak River, MB, admits it was a bit weird walking into his dressing room surrounded by players he’s been battling hard against all season. In fact, it was only a few days earlier when the Kings took on the Selkirk Steelers. For two days, Shamray sits in the Team Zajac dressing room rubbing shoulders with Steelers’ Nate Halverson, Connor Barley and Noah Basarab. Once opponents, but for two days they are now friendly teammates.
“You get to know guys pretty quick in the dressing room,” said Shamray, who also played with OCN and Wayway in the MJHL. “Only a few days earlier you had been playing hard against them. But you make friends; maybe for two days, or lifetime. The whole experience has been fun.”
“I knew some of the guys prior to coming here. Once the puck drops everyone is focused on winning and doing well.”
The two-day tournament is being played in Co-Operators Arena, home of the University of Regina Cougars: perhaps a team some of the MJHL Prospects will eventually suit up for. Meanwhile, dozens of scouts are in attendance watching/evaluating the players. Not to mention Shamray’s parents who made the trip to Regina.
For Shamray, his objective is straight forward: play college hockey. Currently, the slick defenceman is leading the Kings in scoring with 30 points (9-21) in 43 games.
“We’re all here to showcase our skills,” he said. “It was an honour to be selected. Now it’s up to me to showcase myself.”
To see the complete list of all MJHL players please click here.
