Brody Fraleigh Heads North To Follow Hockey Dreams In Brockville
Wallaceburg’s Brody Fraleigh will be moving up the hockey ladder next season, after signing to play for the Brockville Tikis in the CCHL2.
Fraleigh, who spent last season with the PJHL’s Wallaceburg Thunderhawks said he chose to sign with Brockville, and move away from home to follow his hockey dreams.
“I chose to sign in Brockville because they offer so much toward their players around the rink and academically,” he said. “I also have been wanting to play in the CCHL which is the Junior A league up in Brockville. I have had players player there that I am friends with and they all had told me how great the players and coaching staff are.”
The Brockville Tikis are affiliated with the Junior A Brockville Braves, who play in the CCHL. Brockville is located roughly an hour from Kingston, Cornwall, and Ottawa, making it a central hub of the region’s hockey community.
Fraleigh had 5 goals and 7 points in 32 games last season for the Wallaceburg Thunderhawks as a 16-year-old, one season removed from playing Minor Midget ‘AAA’ with the Sun County Panthers. While the Thunderhawks struggled in the wins column, Fraleigh used the season to develop, and took many lessons from the season.
“I learned so many positive things from Wallaceburg, too many to list in fact,” he said. “The group of guys were the best group of guys I could ask for. The staff on the board are great people as well. The staff taught me to earn my respect around the league, not by fights, but by playing my game. They also told everyone on the team they get what they earn, which in my opinion is the way everyone should be treated. The players taught me that having each others’ back is the best way to become brothers, and every guy on that team was a brother to each other.”
Stepping up a level, along with moving away from home can provide challenges to any athlete, but Fraleigh is looking to face the challenges head on.
“It’s definitely going to be a challenge, but I’m willing to face it,” the forward said about the move to Brockville.
“It’s always been a dream of mine to leave home and go play hockey and meet new people. I know the staff from Brockville and my teammates will be there for me, and so will my billet family.”
With that in mind, he has his goals of taking on this step, and then continuing to climb the hockey ladder.
“My goal for this season is to do well as a team, and my own game. Hopefully get some games in with the Braves, the Junior A team in Brockville, and hopefully get a spot on the Braves next season, or even head to the OJHL.”