A teenaged hockey player from the Sault Ste. Marie area had secured an American college scholarship at Lake Superior State, but he decided to give it all up to chase his dream of playing in the Ontario Hockey League.
Now, he’s set to play in the Memorial Cup as a member of the Erie Otters.
Owen Headrick began the 2016-17 season as a member of the Lake Superior State Lakers, playing Division 1 hockey in the NCAA.
However, the Erie Otters persistently pursued the smooth skating defenceman all season and he finally decided to make the jump to the high-profile OHL in January.
“I get to play with a lot of good players and I have a good coach and a really good organization and I’ve really enjoyed my time here so far,” Headrick said.
Headrick is from Garden River, and he’s the oldest of five.
His parents told CTV it's been tough having him so far from home.
“Playing at Lake State, he was thirty minutes from home,” said Dave Headrick, Owen’s dad.
“We didn't miss anything. Now, he's over a thousand kilometres away, so he doesn't get to see us as often."
A little closer to home is Windsor, where the Otters will be kicking off their Memorial Cup campaign on Friday night.
A large group of family members will be making the trip and Headrick said it'll be great to play in front of his family once again.
“I love my family and it's my first time moving away from home, so obviously I miss them a lot and I’m glad they're going to be able to come support me for probably one of the biggest weeks of my life,” he said.
"We're all going,” said Anne Headrick, Owen’s mom.
“There are six of us and then Dave's parents, my parents, my brothers and sisters. I think rough count at any given point at least 20 to 25 people."
Headrick is no stranger to playing for a Canadian title.
Two years ago, he helped the Soo Thunderbirds reach the RBC Cup, the national Junior A championship.
This time around, it’s the Memorial Cup he’s got his sights set on and he’ll compete for the title with plenty of family support in the stands.
