Trevor Cheek can relax a bit now.
Sort of.
The Camas native and Calgary Hitmen forward scored his first two Western Hockey League goals last weekend, cashing in on Friday against Chilliwack and on Sunday against Saskatoon.
“It was definitely nice to get goal No. 1 off my back,” Cheek said.
That first goal came in the first period last Friday against Chilliwack. It was his second game on the top offensive line for the Hitmen.
Cheek was elevated to the first line after injuries sidelined two forwards. The Hitmen also are struggling, having dropped seven consecutive games.
Cheek’s first goal came from in tight. After winning possession behind the net, he passed to teammate Misha Fishenko and went to the front of the crease for the return pass.
“That was the best feeling I’ve ever had scoring a goal,” Cheek said, noting that his first tally tied the game. He said he celebrated with a “pretty good fist pump.”
Two days later, he scored again. This time, it was a tap in opportunity off a feed from Cody Sylvester.
Scoring two goals is a confidence boost, said Cheek, who also has two assists through 13 WHL games. But it also raises expectations.
Before he was promoted to the first line, Cheek said general manager Kelly Kisio had a chat with him.
“He gave me a pep talk, and told me I need to step it up,” Cheek said.
Cheek said Kisio reminded him that he has the skills to succeed in the WHL, but that he needed to work harder to make use of those skills.
Cheek has experienced slow starts at lower levels of hockey, and said he is confident Calgary will start winning soon.
“We’re in a rough spot now, but we have a great group of guys who are working hard and who all want it really, really bad.”
