KENSINGTON – Bailey Webster is ready for the next chapter of his hockey career.
After graduating from the Saint John Sea Dogs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), it was recently announced that Webster will join the St. Francis Xavier X-Men for the 2018-19 Atlantic University Sport (AUS) men’s hockey season.
“I’m pretty excited,” reacted Webster, who played 248 regular-season and playoff games over five seasons with the Sea Dogs and served as Saint John captain for the final half of the 2017-18 season. “I had a lot of options, and I had to keep them all open.
“I had a pretty good meeting with them (X-Men), and from what I’ve heard and seen this program is going to fit myself very well. I feel I will be able to fit right in.”
Webster, who turns 21 in September and will study human kinetics, acknowledged pursuing a pro career was also an option, but his immediate focus is on his education.
“From what coaches have said school is definitely the best option right now, and I will definitely try to go pro after school is done,” said Webster, who joined the Laval Rocket of the American Hockey League on an amateur tryout in March after the Sea Dogs’ season concluded.
Webster is joining a program that is a perennial contender in the AUS, and advanced to the 2018 U Sports national final in Fredericton, N.B, where they dropped a 4-2 decision to the Alberta Golden Bears after posting a 5-4 overtime win in the semifinals versus arch-rival UNB Varsity Reds.
“They usually have pretty good teams, and I’m looking forward to being part of that,” said Webster.
X-Men head coach Brad Peddle had this to say about six-foot-four, 215-pound Webster, who was a member of the 2017 QMJHL-champion Sea Dogs: “Bailey has tremendous character and leadership abilities finishing his last year as captain in Saint John. He comes highly recommended from former coaches and teammates and will be a great addition to our program.
“He is very good on the penalty kill, and will give us the size and dependability we were looking to add to our defence. He will compliment a strong returning core very nicely.”
Adjustments
A product of the Kensington Monaghan Farms Wild major midget hockey program, the son of Tara and Jason Webster of Kelvin Grove understands he will have to make some adjustments at the AUS level.
“I’m definitely going to expect a quicker pace, and will be going up against guys bigger and stronger,” explained Webster in a phone interview with the Journal Pioneer. “It’s really good hockey, I’m excited about it and I feel I will be able to fit right in.
“I’m looking forward to getting the first couple of games under my belt and get used to it.”
To prepare for his rookie season with the X-Men, Webster is working out in the gym five days a week, and he recently started skating again. His training consists of a lot of power, speed and strength.
“Skates have started up, and I’m trying to get on the ice and get the rust off,” he added with a chuckle.
Webster will head to Antigonish, N.S. on Aug. 12.
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