Article courtesy of Dave Anthony of Steinbachonline.com.
Steinbach Pistons goalie Matt Radomsky will be taking part in Winnipeg Jets development camp starting Wednesday in Winnipeg.
Before getting the call, it was just another summer day for the 19-year-old. “I was just watching tv, getting up to go to the gym when my advisor called me and he asked if I was in town, I said I was and I just thought he wanted to maybe get together, but then he said ‘I was wondering if you wanted to go to the Jets development camp’. I was like, seriously? I had no idea, it was completely out of the blue. He let them know I’d be able to come and then they called just to make sure and then they gave me the low down on everything.”
Already excited, Radomsky is looking forward to not having to wait too long to get on the ice. “(Wednesday), we start on the ice at 11:50 and it’s just kind of a see how it goes thing. Hopefully, get asked back for Thursday and Friday.”
Being on the radar of his hometown NHL team is something that still hasn’t hit the Pistons netminder fully just yet. “It’s just surreal. Growing up watching the Jets, always hoping I could play for them one day. This is a get my foot in the door thing. By no means will I be playing for them (this year) or anything but I just can’t believe they watched me throughout the year and they thought enough of me to invite me to the camp for the day and hopefully the week.”
Radomsky’s family can be seen in the stands of most Pistons games and have also travelled around the province to see their boy in action. So when it came to who ‘Matty Rads’ called after getting the news, it was an easy decision. “I called my mom right away,” Radomsky said. “She’s an educational assistant and didn’t answer the phone. I left a message but then she called back right away. She ran out of class and called. My parents were super excited. I couldn’t be more happy to have them as my biggest supporters. They’re always there for me. They’ve done everything they can to help me along the way. I couldn’t have done this without them.”
With camp opening Wednesday, Radomsky isn’t taking this opportunity for granted. “I’m going to just try and learn a lot from the goalie coach and the coaches. Also, the prospects from previous years. I’m going to try my best to soak it all in but I also want to make a statement. I want to make an impression on them. Hopefully, they keep in contact with me afterwards.”
Matt Radomsky celebrated his 19th birthday on June 21 and on June 25th, he got the call to attend an NHL development camp. Not a bad belated birthday present.