After not being drafted following his second year of bantam, Locke Muller's path to the Western Hockey League (WHL) has not been an easy one.
Muller, 17, spent his childhood in St. Paul and grew up playing hockey for the St. Paul Canadiens. From first-year novice all the way up to first-year bantam he was coached by his father Ron. He said playing in St. Paul played an important role in his son's development as a player.
“His entire minor hockey was played in St. Paul. From beginner novice to first-year bantam, that's where he was," said Ron Muller.
Locke Muller played out his second year of bantam in Fort Saskatchewan as part of the triple AAA hockey program. After going un-drafted in the WHL Bantam Draft, he spent his midget career in Kelowna, B.C. where he took part in a hockey camp called the “Program of Excellence," coached by former skating coach for the Philadelphia Flyers and Dallas Stars, David Roy.
Locke's mother Charlene moved from St. Paul to Kelowna to be with her son. According to her husband Ron, Charlene has played a critical role in her son's nutritional and training regiments and has been just as dedicated to her son's career as he was as a coach.
After just being listed last season, Locke was invited to a Red Deer Rebels camp where he turned some heads and cracked the line-up as a 17-year-old rookie. The one thing that has changed in Locke has been his confidence, said his father, and that confidence has resulted in Locke playing his best hockey.
“Ice-time is always tough to get as a rookie and you have to be confident and know that your time is coming," said Ron. “In the playoffs, the coaches have gained some confidence in his defensive play and henceforth he's been rewarded with a bit more ice."
Locke grew up an Oilers fan. On Thursday,Locke and the Red Deer Rebels completed a series sweep of the Edmonton Oil Kings. He admits that while it's not like playing against and beating the Edmonton Oilers, it is the next best thing.
The Red Deer Rebels (48-16-4-4) finished the WHL season with 104 points and are considered one of the top teams in Western Canada along with the Saskatoon Blades (56-13-1-2) and the Portland Winterhawks (50-19-0-3), which also swept its first series against the Everett Silvertips.
“It's been awesome, of course we're winning but it's going to get tougher as we go along." said Locke after the game on Thursday. “We got a tight-knit group of guys and it's only going to get funner as we move along."
Locke stands at 6'2'' and weighs 197 pounds. He broke his hand just before the season, missing 25 plus games. In the 40 games he played this season, Muller has recorded three goals, two assists for five points and 59 penalty minutes, some of which were fighting majors. His hard-nose brand of hockey is a popular one amongst players and fans but his mother admits that sometimes it's hard not to look away.
“You worry about all the players, even on the other teams," said Charlene. “A fight is a fight and it can get a bit stressful."
Locke will be the first one to tell you that he's not an overtly offensive player. His favourite player is Dallas Stars captain Brenden Morrow, a tough leader on the ice who can score goals at the same time. He says he tries to model his game after the Stars captain.
“I finish every check, simple hockey. Chip pucks out, chip pucks in and try to make room for other guys out there," said Locke. “I think it's good to stir things up out there. It's kind of how I play, it fits in."
Playing a physical role in a world of hockey that has recently been plagued with head-shots and concussions, Locke admits that the problem does exist and is a serious issue but that isn't going to stop him from playing his game.
“Obviously if I see his head I'm going to slow up and not follow through with the hit but I don't go any slower out there," said Locke. “I don't hold up any less."
Locke knows that if he is to crack the National hockey League (NHL) he must improve on the offensive side of the game. It's a sentiment is father agrees with and he is confident that his son will train hard once the season ends.
“He's very aware, he knows that the offensive side of the puck is one that he has to work on," said Ron.
Locke now lives with a family in Red Deer. His parents continue to live in St. Paul. He has two older sister who along with his parents have made it out to 80 per cent of his games. It is one of the few times the family gets to see his son nowadays as his schedule with the Rebels is tightly regimented and the only time Locke was able to visit his family this season was during a 10-day Christmas break.
Still, Muller has not forgotten from where he comes from.
“It's where I grew up, I have lots of friends there and lots of good memories," said Muller.
