Alex Hebblethwaite shot out of the gate as a Nanaimo Clipper with seven points in his first three games with the team. The newcomer is settling in after brief BCHL stints in Victoria and Trail. (Gary Dorland)

By Dan Marshall

Dazzling Debut

VIDEO: Hebblethwaite makes immediate impact with Clippers

Oct 18, 2024 | 9:42 AM

NANAIMO — When the Clippers welcomed Alex Hebblethwaite to their lineup on Oct. 2 they couldn’t dreamed the impact he would make.

After spending the BCHL preseason in Victoria and the first five games of the season in Trail, Hebblethwaite hit the ice in his first game and scored four times in a 9-5 road win over the Eagles.

It was a debut he won’t ever forget.

“That night was absolutely amazing. Getting that jump, scoring four, it was a surreal experience. It’s one of the best moments of my hockey career.”

Hebblethwaite said he felt Nanaimo was a good fit for him right away.

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“Starting from the guys, the coaches and everything as soon as I got here it felt like home. Practicing got the chemistry going and learning the systems. It’s definitely helped a lot.”

In his first three games he collected seven points on five goals and two assists.

Although Hebblethwaite was held scoreless in two games at the BCHL Showcase he went in Nanaimo’s Oct. 18 game versus Cowichan Valley as the team co-leader in points with 11 and the goal scoring leader with seven.

The 19-year-old is looking to fill out his game in advance of heading off to the Rochester Institute of Technology in either 2025 or 2026.

I bring scoring, speed and a very fast paced game. I like to have the puck on my stick and create a lot of offense. I’ve also been working on my defensive play and working on battles. For the way I play and with everyone we have on the team I think we’re going to have a good season.”

Hebblethwaite is one of seven Ontario born players on the Clippers and has played against both Connor Haynes and Hudson Gill earlier in his junior career.

Nanaimo’s record is now 3-5-1 with only three games in the last half of October, all at home against Cowichan on Oct. 18, Coquitlam Oct. 25 and Chilliwack on Oct. 26.

CLIP NOTES:

At the BCHL Showcase veteran Joel Plante was named the Clippers player of the game in both contests against Cranbrook and Salmon Arm. Plante finished the event with a goal and two assists.

The Clippers will look to snap a two game losing streak and capture their second home ice win of the season when they host the Capitals on Oct. 18.

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