Sam Simard will be heading from being the Captain of the U-18 Bow Mark Oilers to the Drumheller Dragons of the AJHL.

On top of his skates and stick, he'll be packing some awards that he's picked up.

Simard won the Grade 12 athlete of the year at the Foothills Composite high school for his time on the basketball and football team.

Simard says he really enjoyed his time playing sports in high school and even tried football in his Grade 12 year.

"It was my first year playing football, I've never touched a football field before, I loved every bit of it, its the most fun I've had starting a new sport before."

He says he was happy to come away with "Athlete of the Year" as he'd come close in past years.

"I got runner-up in grade 10 and 11, I was hoping this was going to my year, nothing looked promising with COVID shutting everything down but I was lucky to get it and I was super stoked." 

On top of his awards from the Comp Simard also won the MacArthur award with the U-18 Bow Mark Oilers given to the player who exemplifies sportsmanship as well as hockey skills.

Simard captained the 2019-2020 Bow Mark Oilers to their first playoff run and an impressive showing at the 2019 MACS Midget tournament.

"Personally I had one of my best years this year, I was able to be the captain which was an amazing opportunity and experience."