Nelson Home Building Centre Leafs Player Profile of the Week — Brandon Sookro

From the first time Brandon Sookro stepped onto the ice in a Nelson Leafs jersey as an affiliate player with the Kootenay Ice Major Midget squad, hockey people in the know could see this player has what it takes to be successful in junior hockey.Sookro took another step up the progression ladder last week when he popped in four points during a 9-1 shellacking of the Castlegar Rebels. The offensive output was the best showing of the season for the player known as “Sook” to his teammates.The South Slocan native and graduate of Nelson Minor Hockey is the latest in a long line of the Leafs Player Profiles of the Week sponsored by Nelson Home Building Centre as the Green and White begin their assault on the Cyclone Taylor Cup.Sookro & Company is back on the ice Friday when Nelson plays host to Murdoch rival, Beaver Valley Nitehawks.Nelson took the opening tilt in divisional play against the two rivals, but not much as the Hawks battle the Leafs down to the wire.Nelson Home Building Centre Leafs Player Profile of the Week.Brandon SookroNickname: SookAge: 17Height: 6-feetWeight: 170 poundsPosition: ForwardLast Team: Kootenay Ice Major Midget Championships: West Kootenay Bantam ChampionshipPre-game meal: Noodles with butter . . . no tomato sauceMusic in IPod: Country, some Hip-HopOther interests: Golf in summer and working outJunior Stats: 17 games — eight goals, five assists for 13 pointsBCMMHL Stats: 77 games — 24 goals, 17 assists for 41 pointsThe Nelson Daily.com: What type of player are you?Brandon Sookro: I feel I’m a player who can put the puck in the net. I feel I’m good in the defensive zone, and by focusing on the defensive zone; the offensive game will take care of itself.TND.com: What are your personal goals.B.Sookro: Winning the Cyclone Taylor and then going to the Keystone Cup.TND.com: No, personal goals.B.Sookro: My goal is to hopefully play Junior A next year, and if not, then Western Hockey League. I wasn’t drafted in the (WHL) Bantam draft, but I went to Swift Current’s camp during the summer as a free agent. The camp went well. I was the last cut in the top 40 and (Swift Current scouts are) looking at me throughout this year.TND.com: Your brother Ryon played for Beaver Valley. Did he give you any tips about what’s needed to be successful?B.Sookro: He’s played in the KI and knows what it’s all about. He’s played Junior A and told me how hard it is to make Junior A.TND.com: Did Ryon try to convince you to play in Beaver Valley?B.Sookro: He did a little . . .. Obviously he’s entitled to his own opinion.I actually went to Beaver Valley’s camp when I was 16. Nelson had their two 16-year-olds. But I ‘ve always wanted to play for Nelson. I’m a hometown guy and always liked the Green and White.