By Patrick Burles - @PatrickBurles on Twitter

Change of scenery works wonders for Alec Baer’s game

Jan 27, 2017 | 12:33 PM

LETHBRIDGE – If you were paying attention to the Lethbridge Hurricanes heading into the 2017 WHL trade deadline, you could certainly be forgiven for overlooking the deal that brought Alec Baer to Lethbridge.

The 19-year old came from Vancouver on Jan. 9 — for a third-round draft pick — having only put up three goals and 18-points in 39 games for the Giants. That same day, the Hurricanes acquired forwards Matt Alfaro and Zak Zborosky from the Kootenay Ice, two players scoring at a point-a-game pace. In another deal with Swift Current, they brought in 15-year old Carson Dyck, the son of former Hurricanes head coach, Mike Dyck.

If you haven’t noticed Baer since then however, you probably haven’t been to a game or checked a score sheet.

In Baer’s Hurricanes debut against the Edmonton Oil Kings on Jan. 11, he scored two goals in the second period, including the game winner.

Since that night, the St. Louis Park, Minnesota, native has added another four goals and two assists in five games, and has become one of the Canes go-to scorers.

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“I feel like [the Hurricanes] definitely play a different type of game, I feel like we’re definitely more run-and-gun here,” explained Baer of his recent success. “I feel like my confidence is definitely there, obviously, and I feel just like I’m playing with a good group of guys that are making it a lot easier for me.

“Giorgio [Estephan] and [Tyler] Wong are obviously top guys, you notice them every night. But, [Jordy] Bellerive, [Brennan] Mennell and all them, they definitely make it easier, whether it’s on the power-play or five-on-five, they’re all skilled guys.”

When asked about his transition from Vancouver to the much smaller community that he now calls home, Baer smiled as he recounted his first few days in Lethbridge.

“A little smaller city, it was pretty cold when I got here too, so I had to get used to that,” said Baer. “It’s a great organization, I think it’s kind of looked over as not really a nice spot to go, but so far I have nothing but good stuff to say about it, and I’m excited to be here.”

For Hurricanes fans that are still getting to know No. 8, Baer also talked about his game and what he hopes to bring to the team.

“I’m a guy that likes to have the puck, I like to score goals, I like to pass the puck, I like to shoot… I feel like I can definitely help on the score sheet, but also help with the hard stuff, whether it’s having to fight someone, having to take a hit, having to block a shot, I definitely would love doing that in order to win.”

On the ice, Baer says he takes pride in his ability to zero in on what he needs to do. Off the ice though, he makes a point of keeping things light and working to bring the team together.

“I’m kind of the goofy guy, I’m pretty funny, I like to mess around and have fun. It’s definitely good when you can get some of the guys to smile in the room, whether it’s after a win or whatever it is… guys are pretty good here with dialing it in and being pretty focussed for games, but there’s also a time for a couple of laughs and to have some fun.”