A short stay, a lasting impression

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For a teenager who has quickly made himself at home in Kelowna, the experience has been everything he could have hoped for.

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“I feel like I handle pressure really well,” Daneault told RocketFAN. “I just take it as fuel and like to prove myself and show people what I can do.”

That mindset was tested in his WHL debut against the Vancouver Giants at the Langley Events Centre. The atmosphere was different from what he was accustomed to in minor hockey, with bigger crowds and stronger opponents, but Daneault embraced the opportunity.

Seven players took part in the rookie lap before the game, making the occasion even more memorable.

“Getting to share those moments with your teammates is a game of hockey, and that’s what I love about hockey,” he said.

Daneault did not register a point that night, but he was pleased with how he handled himself. He also understood there would be an adjustment period as he learned to play against older, bigger and stronger players.

He scored his first WHL goal in his second game, and it made history. Daneault became the youngest player in Rockets history to score a goal in a WHL regular-season game.

Before his debut, he discussed with his billet mother, Ashley, the possibility of scoring in his first game. It took an extra night, but the wait was worth it.

“Nice play by ‘Odi’ [Ryan Oothoudt] to bump it to the middle there, and I just got the puck on my stick and ripped it,” Daneault said.

The goal was a milestone, but he was not interested in making it the defining moment of his season.

“Youngest player means a lot, but it doesn’t mean I’m going to stop,” he said. “I’m just going to keep going.”

He has done exactly that. Ten points in seven games is an impressive return for a player who is still learning the demands of major junior hockey, and his six-game point streak suggests he is growing more comfortable with every outing.

Daneault is quick to credit the teammates who have helped make that possible.

“This is a hard league. Great players on this team,” he said. “I couldn’t be leading the team without my teammates, obviously my linemates. We’ve been having success just playing the right way, moving pucks, helping each other out, just communicating.”

That team-first approach has been noticeable. Rather than trying to beat several defenders on his own, Daneault has shown an understanding of when to make a play and when to move the puck.

“You can get a highlight goal out of it, but that’s not what I’m looking for,” he said. “I’m looking for the team to win, and I’m looking to put my best foot forward for the team.”

His game has also improved during his time in Kelowna. Daneault credits the coaching staff and the organization for helping him adjust, pointing to better skating and improved decisions with the puck.

The transition has been made easier by the people around him, both at the rink and away from it.

“Coach, all these coaches, Marty [Derrick Martin], the organization has just been helping me so much, just been making me feel like I’m at home again, just a second home,” he said. “It’s awesome. I can’t thank these guys enough.”

That sense of belonging makes the timing of his departure a little tougher. Daneault has found a place in the lineup and a comfortable routine, but the opportunity to return home is important, too.

Moving away at 15 is not easy. While the WHL experience gives him a chance to test himself against older players, returning to Red Deer means being back with his brothers, friends and family.

Daneault admits there could be a bit of a letdown when he leaves Kelowna, but he also sees the positive side of going home.

“It’s definitely going to be good to see all my buddies again from back home,” he said. “Moving away at a young age is hard, but the good thing about this is I get to go back and see my brother, my brothers and my friends and my family.”

He knows he will have more opportunities to return to Kelowna, and he is not spending his time worrying about how many WHL games he might have left. Players of his age are limited to 34 regular-season games, but his focus is on the opportunities in front of him rather than those that may come later.

“I’m not going to look at the games left,” he said. “I’m going to look at when I get called up. I’m just going to look at those games, focus on those games, not worry about what’s in the future or anything.”

The Rockets could have another chance to bring Daneault back when they travel through the Central Division in mid-January, with stops in Edmonton, Red Deer, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat and Calgary. Whether he rejoins the team then will depend on how his season develops.

Before that possibility arrives, he has one more game to enjoy in Kelowna.

For all the attention surrounding his scoring, Daneault understands that hockey is only one part of the experience. His family has helped him reach this point, and being away from home has given him an even greater appreciation for that support.

“You can’t get hockey without your family behind you,” Daneault said. “I feel like that’s the most important part.”