Matt Fraser finished his WHL career on a high note, winning the 2011 WHL Championship with the Kootenay Ice.  Now, the 21-year-old from Red Deer, AB, is enjoying his first season of professional hockey with the American Hockey League’s Texas Stars.

A ninth-round pick of the Red Deer Rebels in the 2005 WHL Bantam Draft, Fraser suited up for three games in 2006-07 and five more in 2007-08 for his hometown team before being traded to Kootenay.

It was in Cranbrook, B.C., where Fraser’s game really began to develop.  The 6’2”, 207-lb winger put up 87 goals and 174 points in 257 games for the Ice, and also played a huge role in the Cranbrook community, spurring such initiatives as the popular Starlight campaign that raised money for the East Kootenay Foundation for Health.

A strong two-way forward with a no-quit work ethic and excellent leadership skills, Fraser signed as a free agent with the Dallas Stars in the fall of 2010.

Now in his first season with the Stars’ AHL affiliate, and playing alongside fellow WHL grads like Brenden Dillon, Scott Glennie and Colton Sceviour, the former WHL Humanitarian of the Year has managed to make a smooth transition to professional hockey, and finds himself among the AHL’s scoring rookie leaders.

Though he may have left the Kootenays behind for the warmer climes of southern Texas, Fraser still follows the happenings of his former team in Cranbrook, and greatly appreciates the experience he had playing in the Western Hockey League.

CATCHING UP WITH…MATT FRASER

On the transition to the AHL…

“It’s been really good.  It’s something I have looked forward to since the end of last season.  I think the biggest adjustment for me has been away from the rink, getting used to being on my own.  I’ve had to learn to cook for myself, do laundry and stuff like that.  When I was in Cranbrook, my billets definitely spoiled me, so I’ve had to learn to be more independent.  It’s about learning the life of a pro away from the rink, too.”

 On getting used to the AHL level of play…

“It’s been an up-and-down season for us.  We have a lot of younger guys on the team, and we knew it would be a bumpy ride at times during the season.  I wanted to come in and be a contributing player on this team, night in and night out, and I feel like I’ve put my best foot forward.  In this League, you’re playing with and against really good players, and a lot of guys who have been around the League for a long time.  It’s nice to be around those guys and see how they have managed to maintain consistency.  The biggest thing as a young player in this League is learning to be consistent.  That is what will get you to the next level.  I feel good about what I’ve done this season, but I know there is more I can do and lots of room to improve.”

On playing with several recent WHL grads…

“With guys like (Scott) Glennie and (Brenden) Dillon there, you have that familiarity.  Dillon and I live together, and we’ve become good buddies.  Colton Sceviour is from Red Deer, too, so I’ve known him for a long time.  At the start of the season, when you’re a young guy and you see those familiar faces, it helps to relax you a bit and know that you’re not the only one going through this transition.”

On looking back on his time in the WHL…

“I came in as a 17-year-old, and was thrown right into the hockey world.  Getting traded to Kootenay was a different experience, but it was definitely the best thing for me because sometimes it’s better to not play for your hometown team.  I had great coaches in Kootenay, and they taught me so much.  Also, getting to win a championship and go to the Memorial Cup in my final year is something special.  Every day at the rink, we learned new things that all will help you to get to the next level.”

On keeping up with the Ice…

“You always remember the players and the team that you won with, so I definitely keep in touch with them.  I keep in contact with guys on the team, and I talk to Jeff Chynoweth from time to time.  When things aren’t going well here, It’s nice to know you can talk to those guys and bring yourself back down a bit.”

On life in Texas…

“There’s nothing I can complain about except that it gets a bit too hot sometimes.  When you can go to the rink in shorts and sandals, it’s never a bad thing.  Sometimes, being in a climate like this, it can take your head away from the game, so it’s important to learn how to be a professional at the rink and away from the rink.”