Player Profile: Bryce VanHorn
January 14, 2014 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Port Huron Fighting Falcons News Release
When Bryce VanHorn made the Port Huron Fighting Falcons' training camp roster heading into the 2013-14 season, he was excited to get some experience playing against NAHL-caliber players. He knew that making it to training camp would help him get better, no matter where he ended up this year.
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What the Port Huron Northern senior did not expect was to find his name on the Fighting Falcons roster at the end of camp.
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That's exactly where the Kimball native found himself, and throughout the year, he's shown that he can compete and make an impact at the junior level, despite being the second-youngest player on the Fighting Falcons.
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VanHorn's 2013-14 season began months earlier than he expected, as Port Huron Northern's hockey team did not play their first game until late November. By that time, the forward not only had scored his first NAHL goal, he'd become the youngest player in Fighting Falcons history to score a hat trick, a feat he accomplished just six games into his junior hockey career.
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The transition from high school hockey to juniors has not been as easy as it may look, as VanHorn goes through the rigors of a 60-game NAHL season while finishing his senior year of high school.
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"The time commitment at this level is a lot different than it is playing high school hockey," VanHorn said. "I have to make the most of the time I have, and the long road trips we have are great for finishing up homework and staying on top of everything I need to do in the classroom."
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As one of three Fighting Falcons born in 1996, VanHorn is learning what it takes to succeed at the NAHL level, both on and off the ice. During youth skating lessons, he's able to give back to youth hockey players the same way others helped him learn the game here at McMorran Arena.
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"I was in the same position as the kids we skate with not that long ago, and it's really important to me to do everything I can to help them have the same opportunities as I've been lucky enough to have," VanHorn said. "I can try to show them that if they're willing to do the little things and keep working on getting better they can play at a really high level right here at home."
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While the highlight of his first NAHL season has been his early-season hat trick, VanHorn knows that could change, as this Fighting Falcons team could accomplish something special this year. Port Huron is second in the NAHL's overall standings, and holds a five-point lead over Johnstown for first place in the North Division, a position they've held firmly since opening night.
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VanHorn and the rest of the Fighting Falcons return to McMorran Arena January 17 and 18 to face the second-place Johnstown Tomahawks. Youth hockey players can get a ticket for just $5 if they wear their team's jersey to the game!
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