For a talented young goaltender who doesn’t turn 13 until later this month, Angeo Basson already has an impressive international hockey resumé that’s about to get even longer.
Basson is one of just 17 2006-born players from throughout North America named to an all-star team that will be heading to Russia in late July for the Tretiak Cup — regarded as the highest level tournament for 13-year-olds in Europe.
The event is co-hosted by the Russian Ice Hockey Federation, LEGACY Global Sports and the Tretiak Ice Hockey Academy.
Basson received the prestigious invite based on his play at last summer’s World Selects 2006 Invitational in Bolzano, Italy where he was named to the Tournament All-Star Team.
The remarkable journey actually began a year earlier when Basson was among 180 players from across the country selected for the Hockey Hall of Fame Tournament in Toronto.
His strong play got the attention of Gerry Price — father of Montreal Canadiens’ star Carey Price — who happened to be evaluating goaltenders at the tournament.
That earned Basson the opportunity to play on one of the six North American teams that participated at the 10-day tournament in Italy.
He was one of just two North American goalies named to the All-Star Team that was announced at a special post-tournament ceremony. Basson was thrilled and thought that’s where the recognition ended until he got a recent letter in the mail from the Russian Ice Hockey Federation.
“I just thought they were congratulating me again for being an all-star,” recalled Angeo. Then I started to read it further.”
The letter welcomed Basson to the tournament and unveiled the entire roster.
He is the only goalie on the team and one of just four from B.C. Two others are Jordan Gavin and Tomas Mrsic from the powerhouse Semiahmoo A1 team and Lynden Lakovic from West Kelowna. There are also players from New Jersey, Vermont, Anaheim, New York, Boston, Toronto, Hamilton, Misssissauga and Calgary.
A personal video call followed from legendary goalie Vladislav Tretiak who is now president of the Russian Ice Hockey Federation.
“He played tremendous. The first game he got a shutout,” recalled Angelo’s dad Andreas Basson who made the trip to Italy last summer. “We were thinking he might make it but there were 18 teams and 36 goalies. All of them were good. It was a tremendous honour and we thought that’s where it was going to end.”
The trip to Moscow is costing the players $500 for airfare. All other expenses — accommodations, meals, uniforms, practice time and cultural program — is being looked after by the Tretiak Academy.
When Basson is not playing on all-star teams, he has between the pipes for South Delta Minor Hockey’s Pee Wee A1 Storm this past season. Next year it will be the Delta Hockey Academy or B.C. Hockey’s new Bantam AAA Zone League.
So what separates him from other goalies his age?
His time working with goaltending coach Pasco Valana, who is on staff with the national women’s team, has been a big part of his development.
“With Pasco, it’s all about positional play and angles. I think what they saw in Italy is how good his technique is because he has been working with Pasco for so long,” said Andreas. “Other kids can stop the pucks but might be out of position for the next shot where he is extremely under control.
“Carey Price’s dad came up to us afterward to say how much Angelo reminded him of his son when he was that age. All the same techniques and moves.”
Angeo has been playing in goal since the Intro Hockey 4 level.
“I like the pressure that comes with being a goalie and harder games instead of easier ones,” he smiled.
