From an early age, Cody Corbett has had an undeniable bond with hockey. Like any other child hockey player, his dream was to one day make it to the NHL as a professional hockey player. A pretty big dream for a young kid just learning to lace up his skates, has now become a reality. On March 1, Corbett signed a three year entry level with NHL team Colorado Avalanche. It is uncommon for an undrafted player to be offered a contract with an NHL team, and Corbett, only 20 years old, has proven that he has the skill and work ethic to get there.

Corbett played Stillwater Varsity hockey through his junior year, he then left his senior year to play junior hockey in Canada for the Edmonton Oil Kings in the Western Hockey League (WHL). Corbett has been with the Oil Kings for three seasons now and is one of the team’s best defenseman. In this season alone, he has totaled 16 goals and 41 assists for a total of 57 points, making him the leading defensemen in points.

Corbett played in the Minnesota Wild Development Camp for the past two years, hoping that it might get him noticed by NHL scouts. Since Corbett is an undrafted player, any NHL is able to offer him a contract. On March 1, Corbett signed a three year entry level contract with the Colorado Avalanche in the NHL.

“It’s a blessing, I couldn’t be happier. I’ve had a hard journey to make it to where I am now and I’m not about to give in just because I’ve made it this far. I’ll always have a very strong passion for hockey,” said Corbett.

A hard journey indeed, only 17 years old when he started playing in Edmonton, Corbett has played at the highest level possible before the NHL. Playing with some of the most skilled junior hockey players, many NHL players and prospects come out of the WHL where he plays. While a contract is signed, it is no promise that Corbett will be playing on NHL ice anytime soon. The process is long and requires him keep working hard for a coveted spot on Colorado’s 23 man roster.

“The biggest step was coming up to Edmonton to play on the Oil Kings. The young men I play against are highly talented athletes, some of them go right to the NHL right after their 18 year old year. I’ve played with some top draft picks so that has helped me a lot as well,” explained Corbett.

With the support of his hometown, Edmonton and now Colorado fans, Corbett is sure to continue to strive and hold onto his childhood dream. A hockey team is more than a group of talented skaters, it is about becoming a family and battling it out on the ice for a team win.

“It’s been one of the best journeys of my life, I’ve met the some really awesome people in the last 3 years. There’s just something about playing hockey with an awesome group of guys that makes everything in life just go away for a couple hours every day,” said Corbett.

This step in Corbett’s life, it is just another thing that takes him closer to the goal he has worked for his whole life. There’s something about hockey that creates an unbreakable bond between a group of guys. Bonds that distance wont change, which is something very special to him. Whether he wears a Stillwater, Edmonton or Colorado jersey, Corbett will always have the love for the game and a childhood dream he never gave up on.