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If you know anything about this blog, it's that Hockey Blog In Canada is quick to celebrate the achievements of Canada West hockey players and its alumni. Whether it be a first professional goal, a championship moment, or any other achievement, it's always important to celebrate the people who made the game at the university level so enjoyable. One of those people was Calgary Dinos forward Matt Alfaro, and he has reason to celebrate today as he's a wanted man! Well, maybe not a wanted man per se. That phrasing makes it sound like he's a criminal which, I assure you, he is not. However, after an impressive rookie professional season, the team that employed him last season wants him back in their colours for this season again!

Matt Alfaro suited up with the ECHL's Wheeling Nailers last season, and he showed that his work in Canada West wasn't just some fluke. After posting 24 goals and 68 points in 78 Canada West games with the Dinos, Alfaro went out and nearly slightly below a point-per-game pace in the ECHL as he amassed 13 goals and 41 points in 61 ECHL games in his rookie season!

Among the highlights of his 41-point rookie campaign was a nine-game consecutive point streak in February, his first professional point - an assist on Lawton Courtnall's shorthanded goal at 16:38 of the second period - against the Orlando Solar Bears on December 19, 2020, and his first professional goal - 11:39 of the second period against Indy Fire netminder Dan Bakala - on December 26, 2020! Needless to say, those may be trivia questions one day in the future when it comes to Matt Alfaro's career!

There's no doubt that Alfaro fit into the Nailers' offensive scheme once he settled into the system. As a rookie, you always want to land on the ground and get things going immediately, and Alfaro found the chemistry with his linemates to make that happen as it took him three games to record that point and four games to record that goal from the start of the season. After leading the Dinos in scoring in his final season in Canada West, there may have been his own expectations to live up to in his first professional season, and he didn't disappoint anyone by finishing as the third-leading scorer on the Nailers while posting the second-highest total for assists.

In saying all that, the Wheeling Nailers pulled the biggest no-brainer of their off-season by re-signing Alfaro to a new contract for the 2021-22 season, assuring that he'll be in Wheeling, Pennsylvania for the next campaign. What may make this more exciting is that Alfaro had a brief call-up to the AHL last season with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, so it would appear that the Penguins franchise has their eye on the Calgary native who may have surpassed expectations from the team in his first season.

"Matt Alfaro took a big step in his career last year, as we relied on him in every situation," said Nailers Head Coach Derek Army. "He has a bright future as a player and as a leader, and we are really excited to have him back, as he continues to progress with our organization."

Knowing he has a place to play next season with a franchise that wants him seems to be exactly what Alfaro was seeking this off-season as well.

"I am really excited to be back in Wheeling, where I was able to gain lots of confidence, knowing the organization and the coaching staff," Alfaro said. "I got a good taste of the pro lifestyle last year, and this year, I look to improve on that, while being a leader on and off the ice, and helping the team get back to its winning ways."

Keep your eyes on #21 with the Nailers next season, folks. The 24 year-old, who celebrates his birthay on Friday, looks like he's going to be a major piece of the puzzle in Wheeling once again next year. Congratulations on the new contract, Matt!

Until next time, keep you sticks on the ice!