A spot at the next level is now secured for now-former Home Hardware Midget AAA Legionnaires alternate captain Rhett Evjen.

The 2002-born forward, who wrapped up his minor hockey career in February, signed a Letter of Intent with the KIJHL's Fernie Ghostriders on Thursday.

"It was really exciting. There was a couple programs kind of calling me out there," said the Swift Current product. "Fernie's in the mountains, you've got the ski resort there. It's a great opportunity for me as well just with the hockey. They've had good success there as well. It's a good opportunity to develop as well." 

Though that spot is secured at the Junior B level, the primary goal is still to earn his way onto the Flin Flon Bombers in the SJHL this fall.

"My plan is to go try to make that team. If something doesn't work out there, then I have a really good backup plan with Fernie. They've been pretty good to me so far too."

Evjen was a two-year Legionnaire, after opening his Midget career with the AA Broncos. He went from 30 points in 44 total games as a rookie in AA, to 12 points in 41 total games as a rookie in AAA, before rounding things out with 24 points in 44 games this season with the Legionnaires.

He attributed that growth in a Legionnaires jersey to embracing the need to earn his way into more minutes and key scenarios.

"When you're a first year on the team, you always want to have more ice. When you can't crack that top six, you've got to find other ways to get ice time," he said. "What I found was, if I could get a little bit of penalty-kill in my first year, learn how it is, and watch guys penalty-kill, that can get you even more ice time."

Evjen did just that, and said he's hoping to once again embrace that same role regardless of what team he finishes next season on.

"It's a good confidence booster as well when you're climbing up the lineup and you're playing well, and it's not just given," he said. "You go in there to a new team, new coach - everything like that - and you just kind of start fresh. You've just got to work your way up. There's not a better feeling than working your way up to the lineup throughout the year, and getting some more ice time - especially as a rookie."

The 6-foot-4 forward also noted that regardless of being a rookie or not, he feels his passion for the game and work ethic can be an asset to either team.

"I can bring a lot of hard work every day - a guy that you can just look at and say 'he wants to win, he wants to be a player and develop'," Evjen said, further describing his game.

"Don't bring a lot of fanciness to a game, more kind of direct. I can make some good puck plays on the wall to get us out of our end. Create some chances in the offensive end, maybe use my body in front of the net, and winning battles behind the goal line can be key in a game as well."

It's worked out to be a good fit regardless of if it's Junior A or B for Evjen off the ice as well, as the 17-year-old will be entering grade 12 this fall.

"Another thing was that I'm still in school, so getting my high school is kind of first before hockey right now. We kind of had to base our decision a little bit off that as well. Fernie came up with a good plan for schooling as well. With Flin Flon and Fernie being able to take guys that are still in high school and have a plan for them, it's also why we chose to go there as well."

Evjen said he'll be taking distance learning to stay within the Saskatchewan curriculum and make a possible jump between provinces seamless.

For now though, while the grade 11 year wraps up and the off-season continues, the focus will be on trying to stay in shape and add size to the frame from home.

"Not hitting the ice for at least any spring camps either is going to be a little different, and having to stay out of the gym and stay at home here trying to work out is a little bit difficult," Evjen said. "Going for runs and doing a lot of body weight stuff at home, and just trying to work with what you have here, and be a little innovative is what I'm going to have to do until the gym's open up."