Christianson impresses with family in stands at prospects tourney

By RYAN MCCRACKEN on April 23, 2021.

rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com@MHNMcCracken

Kieran Christianson closed the book on his North American 3 Hockey League season by turning a few more heads.

The 17-year-old Medicine Hat product suited up for both games with Team Apex at the NA3HL’s Top Prospects Tournament in St. Peters, Mo. over the weekend and notched a goal in his team’s 4-3 overtime loss against Team Krampade to conclude the event.

“It was a very humbling experience,” Christianson said in a phone call with the News. “It was good to get to know all those guys. It was a very organized event and everyone there was really nice and down to earth.”

Christianson made the trip down south this season to compete with the Missoula Junior Bruins under coach Emerson Etem – a former Medicine Hat Tiger and first-round NHL draft pick. On top of getting the chance to compete in front of some scouts at the Top Prospects Tournament, the weekend also marked the first time Christianson was able to play in front of family this season.

“That meant the world to me, to be able to play in front of my grandpa and uncle,” said Christianson, whose grandfather works in Oklahoma, while his uncle was in Missouri for work. “It just felt like it was normal again.”

Christianson – who recorded eight goals and seven assists over 26 games with Missoula this season – was the youngest participant at the tournament and one of just two born in 2004. His Apex squad also dropped a 5-4 shootout loss to Team Krampade.

“It felt special, playing against those guys and just taking it in,” he said. “It was more of a learning experience for me, but I had fun playing there.”

Christianson’s season recently extended into the summer as well, thanks to an invitation to the Ivy Shootout, an NCAA exposure camp at Princeton University in New Jersey held July 9-11.

“I’m really excited to go to that,” he said. “I haven’t really had any experience with NCAA before so it’s going to be interesting to see how everything is put together.”

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