Getting cut from sports teams happens all the time at all sorts of levels and itSA国际影视传媒檚 never easy to accept.

Matthew Gillard, though, was happy to go as far as he did, and he knows now what he has to do to stay there next time.

The 15-year-old Yellowknifer defenceman got the chance to cut his teeth with the Western Hockey LeagueSA国际影视传媒檚 Victoria Royals this month, the same team that selected him in the WHL Bantam Draft this past April. His first stop was the teamSA国际影视传媒檚 rookie camp, which started on Sept. 1. Gillard managed to navigate his way through that hurdle and make it to the main camp, where he was one of 21 players who advanced to the teamSA国际影视传媒檚 main camp.

Gillard said he was nervous from start to finish.

SA国际影视传媒淚 was definitely a bit scared, but I thought I got better every day,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭he coaches werenSA国际影视传媒檛 really allowed to say anything to the players on how they thought we were doing, but one of the scouts who knew me told me I looked really nervous out there.SA国际影视传媒�

Once at main camp, he was one of 43 players looking to make an impact on Dan Price, the teamSA国际影视传媒檚 head coach and general manager, but it would be as far as Gillard would get. He played in the intrasquad game on Sept. 7 but was one of 13 players cut by the coaching staff following the game.

He said he knows what he has to do now in order to get another shot at making the team.

SA国际影视传媒淛ust keep working on my game,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淕et stronger, spend more time in the gym, work on my puck management, my stickhandling. All that is going to make me a better hockey player.SA国际影视传媒�

Gillard will be staying in B.C. to play hockey this year as heSA国际影视传媒檚 joined the U18 AAA Cariboo Cougars, based out of Prince George. ThereSA国际影视传媒檚 a Yellowknife connection to that as he will rejoin Decker Mujcin, son of former Yellowknife hockey legend Mirsad Mujcin; the Mujcin family moved to Prince George several years ago.

Gillard said he and Mujcin have kept in contact since their days playing together in the Yk Minor Hockey Association and playing on the same team together will be fun.

SA国际影视传媒淲e played together on the Weatherby Warriors novice team and he moved away during my second year on the team,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 really looking forward to playing with him again.SA国际影视传媒�