Since starting with the Strathmore Wheatland Kings just five games ago, Steve Wilks has put up two points with a goal and an assist and that's why he is this week's King of the Week! Wilks is newer to the team but he is really happy to be back on the ice after a small hiatus to focus on schooling. He said that it's always hard to step away from the game you love playing and it feels good to be back on the ice.

Wilks has been playing hockey for about 10 years now and said it was his older brother that made him want to play the game. He loved watching hockey and going to his brother's games and watching him play made Wilks want to play even more. After begging his dad for a year to let him play hockey, Wilks was able to strap on a pair of skates and play the game he had loved watching and hasn't looked back since.

Over his 10 years of playing hockey, Wilks said that his favourite hockey memory has to be last year when he played for the Wheatland Chiefs. His team had a bit of a rocky start to the season but were able to pull it back together near the end of the season and made playoffs. The team made it all the way to the finals and even though they lost in overtime, Wilks said he and his teammates had a lot of fun! Being able to come together and make a rally in the playoffs was a really good time he said. Wilks believes that since hockey is such a team sport it makes it a lot more fun when everyone buys in and has a winning mentality.

With two away games coming up for the Kings, Wilks explained that he's always feeling confident about winning because you never want to go into a weekend thinking you're going to lose. All it takes is going into the game prepared and that'll help them come away with two wins this weekend Wilks said. When preparing for game day, Wilks likes to keeps a good routine that usually consists of the same thing: listen to some music with his headphones, play some sewer ball with his teammates and mentally focus on the game to come.

Outside of hockey, Wilks likes to stay active and live an athletic lifestyle. That's why he used to do cross country and he plays golf in the summer. He still runs when he can and likes to be outside and enjoy the weather when it's not freezing cold outside.

The Kings take on the Rocky Rams and Ponoka Stampeders this weekend and their next home game is January 18 against the Mountainview Colts at 8 p.m.