Braden Birnie’s professional hockey journey is set to continue, as the scrappy forward announced he’s signed a 2-way AHL/ECHL deal with the Calgary organization.
“Pretty exciting,” the humble star says with his trademark smile. “Got a deal done with the Calgary Wranglers, which was really good. Been a bit of a different off-season, not knowing how the pro off-seasons work, but stayed patient and got a deal together. Excited to now know where I’m going next year.”
The process
Having never gone through something like this before, Birnie says he learned a lot very quickly, and it’s all things he now embraces. “Yeah, I think it was a little bit different with how things ended in Abbotsford at the end of the year. Obviously, did pretty well there, but they got a whole new management group in there with all the staff there going up to the big club with the (Vancouver) Canucks. So it was a little bit different in that scenario, but I had a good relationship with the Calgary organization just from starting in Rapid City (Rush) there at the end of the college season. They were familiar with me and my game just from being with the ECHL team there in Rapid City. They circled back with us a few times, and we had good conversations with them. I think both sides were excited to lock it in for next year.”
From college to pro life
Making the jump from NCAA to the pro’s was a big one, but for Birnie, always being someone who rises to a challenge, he took the opportunity and made the most of it. “Honestly, there’s a lot of big differences,” he says with a chuckle. “I was pretty much used to just the 30-some game college schedule, and then quickly realized with those games in the ECHL that there’s a lot more games, which is a little tougher on the body for sure. I think just the way it went at the end of the year, getting those games in and then seeing how it went in the AHL as well was another step, too. So definitely feel more prepared having gone through both of those spots. So I’m grateful for that. I think it’s going to probably allow me to be a little more ready for what’s going to happen. Obviously, it’s going to be different being with the Wranglers rather than Abbotsford, but I do feel more prepared and ready to keep taking that step.”
Always true to himself
Over his hockey life, Birnie admits to never being the highly scouted, can’t-miss prospect that leaves everyone talking, but he’s always been one of the hardest-working, constantly improving, team-first guys that organizations fall in love with, adding that’s just who he is and how he plays the game. “That’s kind of just the way it’s been for me,” he says with a grin. “I think I realized eventually at a younger age that I wasn’t going to be the most sought-after guy, but was going to be a guy that just plays an honest game and at the end of the day just try and be the best person that I can be no matter where I am or who I’m playing with. But I think in terms of going into camp this year and being with this organization, I’m just going to stick to the same morals and the same values. Play the same game that I am. Don’t stray away from what’s got me to this point. Be that same type of player and guy that I was with the Pistons, who taught me what it takes to be successful while I was there. I think that formula is what’s going to allow me to keep going and, hopefully, every year keep taking steps, keep advancing, keep being a good person, and work the hardest every single day and just keep trying to impress people and keep the ride going as long as I can.”
Two key attributes
Through all his talent, personality, and spirit, two very important parts of Braden Birnie the hockey player have always been present, one being that he’s known for being coachable, and the other being the best teammate a fellow player can ask for.
“Those would be at the top of the list for me,” he says proudly. “I think if you don’t have those things, then, for me especially, I probably don’t have as much of a career. As I said, that’s never going to change for me. I believe strongly that that’s a huge reason that I’ve been able to keep it going the way that I have. I think anything past those two things will come naturally. If you show up to the rink every day with a good attitude and enjoy being around the people that you’re with, then the other parts of the game will develop. You work in the summer to get stronger and faster. Everybody does that too, but those two things, they are something that I’ll always take pride in and put at the top of my list for sure.”
Committing to play the game
At 24-years-old, Birnie knew that this summer was a big one, deciding to keep playing hockey while also thinking about life outside of the game, things he balances still even after signing his professional contract. “I think the way I kind of have looked at it, with the good support that I’ve had around, the fantastic people around me and those in my circle, it’s just kind of been keep going till the game tells you that you’ve had enough or that you can’t do it anymore. I think I’ve never been closed off to the fact that I’m not going to be able to play forever. I’m aware of that. I know that the day is going to come where September comes around and I’m probably not lacing them up anymore at the professional or the college level, but until then, until that day comes and until it doesn’t make sense for me to do it anymore, I’m 110% committed to it. I’m going to put everything that I have into it. As I said, I’m lucky to have people supporting me and making that decision easier.”
An even bigger commitment
It’s been quite the memorable summer for Birnie, who admits that agreeing to the deal with the Wranglers is the second biggest commitment he’s made, as he asked his longtime partner, Belle Paisley, for her hand in marriage. “Kind of, kind of was a crazy stretch there,” he says, beaming with happiness. “That was a crazy week for sure. Definitely something I was probably more nervous for rather than the hockey side of it. I was talking to an old coach of mine from Alaska, and I think I told him that I was more nervous for the engagement piece of it that day than I was before overtime in the Independent Cup Finals. It was amazing and super lucky to have her in my life and to be able to spend it with her. She’s just as excited for me to be a part of this journey, and I definitely didn’t want to do it without her. So it was an exciting time for sure.”
Summer plans
With camps getting closer by the day, Birnie is making sure to start that ramp-up of a professional athlete, knowing the work now pays off later. “I’ll continue to train and work hard,” he says, his tone more serious. “I’ve been having a good setup at the Rink in Winnipeg, skating with a lot of other pro guys, which has been fantastic. A couple guys that have played with the Wranglers and lots of guys that are over in Europe as well, and some NHLers too. So just seeing those guys and the way that they work in the off-season has been good for me. So I’ll continue to do that. I’ll probably get an extra month of an off-season here, which will be good because I know I’m definitely in for a grind. As I said, there’s going to be more games this year. So I’m just spending that extra month closer to home. I haven’t really been in Canada past August 20th in the last four years. So I’m looking forward to the fall weather and the fall golf and just preparing myself to head to Calgary.”
One step away
So much life happened in a short amount of time for Birnie, who admits that he never really thought about being a step away from achieving his childhood dream, that he’s as close as he’s ever been to being one phone call away from the National Hockey League, until now. “I mean, just kind of thinking about it right now in this moment, it kicked in for the first time, to be honest,” he says, his voice mixed with excitement and disbelief. “Obviously, I know where I’m at and how close it is, but I haven’t really thought about it that much, to be honest. It’s kind of crazy to think that it could be that close. I’ve just kind of focused on every step that I’ve been given the opportunity to take. Whether it’s the U15, junior, or the college level, I haven’t really thought too far into the future about what’s going to be next for me. I think that that’s probably been the best thing for me because it kind of allows me just to stay present with where I’m at and be where my feet are. Luckily, everything that I’ve had around me and the way that things have gone have driven me to take the next step. I hope that that mentality and that way will just keep me going as long as I can.”