Elkhorn’s Layne Toder was kind of in disbelief when he learned he was drafted by the Western Hockey League’s Calgary Hitmen.
The team selected the son of Jolene and Curtis Toder in the fourth round, with the 85th overall pick, in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft. The Hitmen’s roster currently includes Elkhorn
siblings Travis and Taylor Sanheim. A text from a family friend alerted Toder, defenceman, to the fact that he was drafted. When he came home from school for lunch, he received a call
from the pastor of another WHL team congratulating him.
“I quickly ran to the computer to make sure it was real! I was ecstatic that I was drafted by Calgary,” Toder wrote in an email interview. “Many people within the organization of the Calgary Hitmen called me to welcome me to the Hitmen family. Tweets and texts from friends, family, and even the Sanheims, started to make it more real, as we celebrated throughout the evening. This is going to
be amazing! The Calgary Hitmen is a great team in a fantastic city.”
While thrilled to be drafted, Toder realizes it means the start of something rather than the end.
“It means I am one step closer to my ultimate goal -playing at the highest level possible. It also means that the hard work is just beginning.”
In a press release, Hitmen director of player personnel Dan Bonar said of Toder, "He's a defenceman out of Travis and Taylor Sanheim's hometown. They speak very highly of him and the
family."
A 5-foot-10, 155-pound blue liner, Toder had six goals, 21 points, and 42 penalty minutes in 31 games for the Yellowhead Chiefs Bntam AAA team last season.
“Layne is a great skater who has a fantastic shot,” wrote Chiefs head coach Craig Geekie in an email interview. “He played every situation from power play to penalty kill.”
Toder also had an impact on the Chiefs with his attitude, leadership, and personality.
“Layne’s role this year was to be a leader both on and off the ice and he definitely was that,” Geekie wrote. “It started when his peers voted him worthy of receiving the title of being an assistant captain.
“For Layne, he is someone who talks to everyone - making sure they are involved both in and out of the room regardless of the activity. On the ice, Layne worked hard but always found time to have
fun along the way, something we as coaches tried to instill.”
The Chiefs bench boss also noted that Toder was always working on his game and was very coachable.
“I am thrilled and very proud of Layne for his accomplishments.” Toder appreciates what Geekie has done for him the past two seasons.
“He has taught me many on and off ice lessons and how to be a good person with my skates on or off.
He emphasizes that family is first, school second, then after all of that...hockey.”
Toder’s parents have played a major role in his success. “My parents are the ones that supported me and helped me reach my goals. They have always been right behind me...
whether cheering me on in the stands or driving me to practices and games,” he wrote.
Toder has a passion for hockey. “I love everything about the game whether it is the early morning skate to seeing my teammates (brothers) at the rink,” he wrote. “I love the competitiveness
and the fast pace of the games. I love pushing myself to be better every time I go out.”
Toder is excited about what lies ahead of him in hockey and is willing to work to achieve. “I can’t wait to start a new chapter in my hockey career and want to keep working hard
to prove myself,” he wrote.
“This summer will be spen training with Edge Fitness, on-ice training, and the Hitmen camp in August.”
