Kelowna Chiefs alum Lane Paddison (2017-19) is in his third season with the Manhattanville University Valiants and is their captain. In 69 career games with the Valiants, Paddison has 43 career points. This season, Paddison has matched the 16 points he produced last season and with one more weekend of action, has a chance to surpass those that total. After collecting several assists, Paddison has broken out scoring and has four goals in seven games since late January.
Among his honours and awards:
– UCHC Player of the Week (12/4/23)
– Krampade/AHCA All-American Scholar (2022-23)
– UCHC All-Academic Team (2022-23)
In 53 career regular season games with the Chiefs, the 100 Mile House native had 36 goals and 95 points.
The KIJHL connected with Paddison to talk about his season and time in the KIJHL.
KIJHL: What has this season been like for you?
LP: It’s been pretty good. Our schedule has been very tough and our record doesn’t show it. We’ve played the No.1, 2, 3 and ninth ranked teams in the country. Unfortunately, we haven’t knocked any of them down yet, but I’m pretty proud of the team and looking forward to the playoffs coming up.
KIJHL: What do you like about the way you are playing?
LP: We have a pretty middle-aged team, with lots of sophomores and juniors. I’ve had to step up as an older guy, who is a Junior. I’ve personally liked my play and how I’ve handled the team. My bigger goal is to be a role model and lead by example, which is something I strive to do.
KIJHL: What is the talent like that you play with?
LP: It’s a lot better than I originally expected going into it. I was definitely unsure. I didn’t think of Division 3 until my last year of junior at the very end after I aged out of the Alberta Junior Hockey League. It’s definitely exceeded expectations. There’s some really good hockey players.
KIJHL: How often do you practice?
LP: We practice Monday to Thursday, and then we’ll pregame skate Friday. We play Friday and Saturday normally.
KIJHL: What is it like to balance being a student-athlete?
LP: Yeah, I think it was definitely challenging going into my freshman year. You have to realize you have to grow up pretty fast. I know we’re going into school later, but we practice at 6:45 a.m. It’s a tough wake up, but you definitely have to be able to manage your time to go to bed early, get enough sleep. It took me a while my freshman year. I was going to bed too late. It was definitely not good for me.
KIJHL: What do you like about playing in the United Collegiate Hockey Conference?
LP: My first two years the conference was a lot bigger. Then this last year we lost four or five teams.
They went to the Middle Atlantic Conference. I really like our conference as it’s super strong and it’s only getting better. Next year we’re gaining five more teams and a couple are always ranked in the top 20.
I think UCHC is one of the tougher, competitive divisions.
KIJHL: You spent two years with the Kelowna Chiefs, what was that time like for you?
LP: That was great for sure. Going in as a 16-year-old, the first time really leaving home, I was a little nervous. My first year, Jason Tansem was the coach and Grant Sheridan was the GM still, and they were super, super welcoming for me, especially leaving home. I was about five hours from 100 Mile House. They set me up super well with my billets and schooling was right there beside the rink. We had lots of good 20-year-olds, who really took me in under their wing. I was a little lost for a while there. I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into. I was 5-5, 140-pounds going up against 20-year-olds. I was definitely nervous.
In my 17-year-old year, we were a powerhouse (48 GP 42 wins). We had some really top-end talent. It was a lot of fun to play and honestly, I would say the most fun I’ve ever had playing hockey, especially when you’re constantly winning.
Paddison also talked about the late Grant Sheridan, the former Chiefs owner, and how good he was to him.
He was such a great man, especially to me and my family. He was nothing but kind. I’d go to his house all the time and he’d make me dinner. They would always let me come over and play mini hockey downstairs. It was good.
KIJHL: How did your time playing in Kelowna and the league help you advance to the AJHL, and set you up to continue advancing in your hockey career?
LP: I think a big thing for me as a smaller player going into it, playing against men at such a young age, you really got to learn the game and develop different skill sets. I learned to keep my head up while still playing my game.
