Photo: Frank Dienes III/Everett Silvertips

But Kellan wasn't finished.

The Vancouver Canucks invited him to their prospect camp, and the Abbotsford boy showed them exactly what he has to offer. The Canucks saw what Silvertips fans have seen and loved all season. They liked what they saw and offered him a 3-year entry level contract, making Kellan the youngest player in Silvertips history to ink an NHL deal.

So, what did Kellan do next? He traveled to Nanaimo, to help coach a hockey camp. That's where I caught up with him late last week, to talk about the amazing turn of events in his young life. Read on to learn just how the Canucks offer came about, why he chose Vancouver over other teams (and it's not just because they're his favorite team!), the advice he received from former Silvertips teammate Taylor Ellington (who's also within the Canucks organization), the amazing support he gets from his family, and what Silvertips fans can expect from him this season.

KING 5: How did the Canucks contract offer come about?
KT: It was pretty sudden. I wasn't really expecting it, but definitely very happy that they're taking a chance on me.

KING 5: When Draft Day came and you weren't drafted, did you think you would still get an opportunity?
KT: I wasn't really upset because now I was able to choose the team that I wanted to go to so it kind of worked out in my favor. Obviously, it would have been nice to have been drafted but you've gotta take the good from the bad.

KING 5: Did the Canucks invite you to their camp?
KT: Yes. They invited me to their rookie camp and the biggest thing for me was that their General Manager called. That was the biggest thing for me. Other teams called but it was just their scouts that called, but having the GM call, I knew they were interested, so I decided to take the opportunity.

KING 5: I have to say I'm surprised that you did not get drafted.
KT: Well, it's a funny business. They have different reasons for everything, but it's something that really isn't a big deal because I'm 18 years old. The way I look at it, it's maybe a little better that I didn't get drafted just because I got to choose the team that I wanted to go to.

KING 5: You're committed to coming back to the Silvertips for one more year.
KT: Yes, I'm committed to coming back to the Silvertips because I'm 18 and the only way that I'm going to not come back is if I make the Canucks and that's very unlikely.

KING 5: Do you go back for their training camp in September?
KT: I'll be back for the training camp in early September?

KING 5: What are you doing in the meantime?
KT: (At the time of the interview last week) I'm in Nanaimo (BC), helping out with the provincial camp. And then Saturday, I'm going to Minnesota for two weeks of training down there, just things they specialize in like skating- that's going to help me improve, and then I'm back in Everett. It's busy, the next three or four weeks but it's going to be very productive.

KING 5: Has the Canucks trainer come up with a list of things you need to work on before you go to Vancouver for training camp?
KT: Yeah, and that's what I'm doing when I get back is training for a week in Vancouver. He's going to put me on a plan that I'm going to use throughout the year. It's going to help me in the things that hurt me last season, just with the productive start I had and then kind of the slow finish, just the things that are going to get me to the next level.

KING 5: Is part of what you're working on--learning to pace yourself so you can finish the season as strong as you started?
KT: Oh, absolutely. The consistency is the biggest thing. It's something that I wasn't very good at, coming to play night after night. Vancouver's definitely going to put a program in place so that every night, I'm healthy enough to go all out.

KING 5: You're following two of your teammates, including Taylor Ellington, who you played very closely with. Have you talked to him? How much advice do you hope to get from him about the transition?
KT: I've been talking to him a lot in the past couple of weeks here. It's always better to have more knowledge than less and Ellie's a guy who's been to their camp for the past 3 years. He's really helping me just to understand that this is the National Hockey League and I need to be at my best when I come to camps; the little things he's helping me with, those are the things that will help make me better.

KING 5: How much contact did you have with Coach Hartsburg since that day?
KT: Not a lot. He called me last week just to congratulate me, but Coach Hartsburg's the kind of guy who's gonna get me to the next level, with his knowledge. I couldn't ask for a more experienced coach. It's definitely an exciting time.

KING 5: What a great time to have him come in as coach, as you make a big step toward realizing your own dream.
KT: The biggest thing that he's going to emphasize on me is staying in top shape the whole year, where last year that really wasn't emphasized. It really wasn't pushed towards us, so that's something that's going to be really awesome for a guy like me. I'm going to be in top shape all year and I'm going to be going hard all year.

KING 5: How has your family been about all this?
KT: Obviously, they're very excited. The Vancouver Canucks- being an Abbotsford boy, it's very exciting and they're very happy for me but at the same time, they realize what it's gonna take to get there. Both my parents are very educated, just with me going through the WHL and a lot of classes and seminars about what it takes to get to the next level. They're very happy for me but they know the tough road that's gonna be ahead. I couldn't ask for more of my parents. They give me support and push me the right way I need to be pushed.

KING 5: I remember from the last interview we did- the comments left by your aunt and family friends- it seems like you have a great support system.
KT: Yes. I went to a family barbecue last Saturday and there was a lot of love and definitely a lot of support. I'm definitely not lacking in that area. I'm very fortunate to have the family that I do; not just my mother and father and brothers, but my aunts and uncles and my grandma and cousins. It's always nice when I get a random call here and there, telling me how proud they are of me and wishing me all the best. It always helps to know that people are thinking about you and pulling for you.

KING 5: You've also finished school so now you can focus 100,000% on hockey.
KT: That's the biggest thing. School was really tough last year, doing a couple of online classes. When guys were working out, I had to rush home to do homework, whereas this year I can focus 100% on playing hockey and training and preparing myself for the next day's game. So, having high school out of the way is definitely awesome. It's definitely going to benefit me.

KING 5: I didn't even realize how different school was for you guys, until I interviewed a couple of players during the year - starting the year here and finishing in Canada. I never appreciated how much harder it is for you guys, trying to keep up with school in two different countries.
KT: It's not even the two different countries, it's just that obviously there's a lot more leniency when I'm in Everett just because I'm training all the time so when I make the transition home, I'm a regular kid again and teachers are hard on me to get my marks in and to be doing everything at the same pace as the other students, whereas when I'm in Everett, I have a little more time to do things. It's a little challenging but it teaches me good habits for future schooling and playing in the Western League and doing school at the same time.

KING 5: You played all 72 games and you graduated, so you obviously got good marks.
KT: It's definitely not easy but school is the overall most important thing. In case hockey doesn't work out, I'm going to have to go to school and get a degree so, doing the year in the Western League while going to school has definitely helped me and it's going to make it that much easier when I'm at school full time if I'm not playing hockey.

KING T: It's really hard to believe that this was your first full year in the WHL. You seem more seasoned than a rookie. Obviously you've worked hard and we look forward to seeing you go as far as you can.
KT: Now that I'm signed, it's not really a dream anymore. It's a reality and it's going to be very tough the next few years, cracking the Canucks' lineup. I'm going to be working towards that and doing whatever it takes to get there.

KING 5: I interviewed TJ Oshie a couple of weeks ago and he talked about how tough the transition was to the NHL from college. You guys seem to have a similar work ethic. You take things very seriously, work very hard and the possibility is very real that you could join the NHL at 19.
KT: It's not something that is impossible. It's a goal of mine. My agent told me a few days ago that this is what he would like to see. He's not trying to push me. He just thinks I can do it. I'm going to be working my tail off to get there, with the help of the Canucks, hopefully improving the things I need to improve, to get there. It's a very exciting time for the Silvertips. It's definitely just a bonus. I get to go to camp but, with a purpose, to make myself better so I can make the National Hockey League. I'm very excited and I know (Silvertips' Vice President/GM) Doug Soetaert is too.

KING 5: Speaking of the NHL, what about this game that's coming to Comcast Arena in September between Phoenix (Coyotes) and Tampa Bay (Lightning)?
KT: That's going to be very exciting. I know the fans are definitely looking forward to that. It's something that's good for Everett to get a taste of the NHL because they rarely get it unless they have the NHL packages just because down in the States it's not really as popular as basketball or football or baseball. I think they're going to enjoy it a lot.

KING 5: You're from Abbotsford and Abbotsford just got an AHL team. Are you hearing any buzz about that, any excitement?
KT: Abbotsford's very thrilled that they got an AHL team, but unfortunately it's the Calgary Flames' AHL team, so it's going to be very funny to see how fans react to that. But they're going to get a lot of support. And if I happen to play in Manitoba, I'll get to come back home for a few games. It's definitely going to be a lot of fun. When the time comes, I'll look forward to it, but until I get there, I'm just going to have to keep working hard.

The best thing about writing sports is that we are allowed to cheer for a player or a team. And I know I'm not the only one who is cheering for Kellan to have a stellar season and make the jump to the NHL at the age of 19. No one is cheering louder for him than his family, but no one will work harder to help him stay on track and remain wonderfully level-headed as he works to achieve his dream.

In the meantime, make sure you have your tickets for this season of the Everett Silvertips. You can get ticket information at their website. Just click here. And keep an eye on #16. You're gonna be glad you did.