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INUVIK - Geo Pascal knew his opportunity to play top-tier junior hockey would come again, and he would be ready for it.

Two years after being cut from a junior hockey team tryout in Creston, B.C., the 17-year-old will now be suiting up for the Junior A-division Sioux Lookout Flyers in August.

Inuvik resident Geo Pascal was recruited last month by the Ontario-based, Junior A-division Sioux Lookout Flyers. - Andrew Rankin/NNSL photo

"It feels pretty good," he said. "I'm pretty excited and have tried to work hard."

The defenceman's break came while playing at the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships in Winnipeg early last month. Flyers head coach and general manager Randy Lulashnyk was in attendance and was so impressed with the Samuel Hearne Secondary School student's play he summoned Pascal from the dressing room after the game and invited him to training camp.

Pascal has had several invites from other junior teams, but went with the Northern Ontario-based squad where he thought he could flourish as a player.

He missed out on his first junior hockey opportunity because he said he arrived at camp out of shape. The experience left a bitter taste in his mouth and he has since taken nothing for granted, changing his diet while adopting a strict workout regime. On most days, he hits the gym twice a day.

A standout local player who's played in every league or tournament possible, he is already looking beyond Junior A to Major Junior hockey and then the National Hockey League.

"Why not? I'm going to work for it," he said.

Lulashnyk said the soft-spoken teenager has all the skills necessary to be a great hockey player and thinks he has the work ethic to match.

"What I saw I really liked. He really stood out, which is why I want to work with the young man and hopefully get him in a higher level of hockey when it's all over.

"He has the right character. He's got that determination. He's got the will. I'm hoping that's what he bring here and that he'll do whatever it takes to succeed."

Pascal is quick to acknowledge the enormous support he's gotten from his local mentors such as his dad as well as coaches Michael Gravel, Dave Halpine and his sponsors.

He hopes to be a mentor to other youth in the North, proving NWT athletes are on par with others in the country.

"We don't have as much competition," he said. "But we have a lot of great athletes that could be really great players if given the opportunity."

His long-time linemate Paden Lennie, 17, has teamed up with Pascal in high school and minor hockey league play as well as at the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships. He has no doubt his good friend will succeed, even though Lennie was a little surprised he got such a sweet offer.

"I knew he could make it that far," said Lennie. "He's a great player with a lot of strength and speed and he knows where to be. He doesn't get mad. He just keeps trying. I'm sure he can make the NHL. He's very focused and he can get what he wants."