This week as we wrap up 2021, we want to highlight your Strathmore Motor Products King of the Week, Joel Romano.

Romano is in his first season with the Kings. For him, there has been one highlight that stands out above the rest, “Just getting back on the ice and being a part of the team, playing hockey every week and just playing with the team has been pretty good,”

Getting back into playing the game he loves after so much time off has been a relief for Romano, he said that the chance to get back on the ice,  getting back into a routine is what makes him happy.

Being a part of the Kings team is more than just playing hockey. Community involvement is something that Kings players take a lot of pride in, and in his first year, the importance of this was not lost on him.

“It's a big aspect of our team to support the community because they're the people that come to our games and support us and buy tickets for everything. I think giving back just shows that we care about them too.”

This year's Kings team has quite a few first-year players and the team has seen growth week to week. As they head into 2022, Romano is looking forward to seeing the team continue to improve, “I feel like working on our breakout, if we improve it, and everyone buys in on the system, it’ll be a pretty good new year.”

Taking away many different lessons over the years from hockey, Romano says his biggest takeaway from the game is being resilient and always pushing towards the next goal on and off the ice.

Having some time off, Romano planned to put his feet up and watch the World Juniors with his dad and his Grandpa and spend some quality time with his family before getting back to school and back out on the ice, with the Juniors being canceled Romana is happy with some quality family time and may just hit the ice himself.

The Kings kick off the season in the new year with 3 away games against Okotoks, Medicine Hat, and High River, before returning to play on home ice against the Coaldale Copperheads on January 15th game time at 8 p.m.