OHA Alumni Profile: Matt Wesley

Matt's Graduation from MCRD San Diego January 20th, 2012

Matt attended OHA from Fall 2007 until June 2010 when he graduated from high school. Matt was always the smallest player on the team growing up and when he was a Bantam, he was the last player cut from tryouts for the rep team both years here in Penticton. In 2006 he was sent to POE in Kelowna for the training so he would be ready to come to OHA his first year midget. Although Matt was small, he was always very mature and disciplined. Many people told him he would never be able to compete at a rep or competitive level because of his size. He would not take no for an answer and persevered despite the views or opinions of so called experts. OHA helped in giving him the belief in himself. His coaches were a major influence in his physical, mental and social development. During the summers he worked at the Okanagan Hockey School as a power skating instructor with Rob McLauglin. Rob showed a lot of confidence in Matt and allowed him to be one of the key leaders on the ice and in demonstrations in proper skating technique.

Rob McLaughlin with Matt during his OHA visit

The sheer strength and stamina it takes to make it through boot camp and the Crucible carrying a 90 lb pack over some of the steepest and roughest terrain for 56 straight hours was honed in the gym and on the ice. His last year at OHA he was Captain of his hockey team and played defence when most of his career he was a right wing. He was not afraid to lie down in front of any shot during the penalty kill even though he was still one of the smaller players on the ice. His leadership and courage were respected by his teammates and coaches. Matt also credits his teachers at Pen High and the courses he took, especially Psychology, History and Geometry in helping shape himself mentally to prepare for his dream of becoming a Marine. Matt is an avid reader as well and was inspired by the book, The Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell which Andy Oakes recommended at a yearend banquet.

The training he received at OHA was key in helping him through the rigors of boot camp and in making his decision to become a US Marine. Some of the things he learned while at OHA included: Discipline, Teamwork, Character Development, Core Values, Respect for others (Coaches, players, trainers and the opposing teams) challenging himself physically, both on the ice and off, mental toughness, Courage. The family motto from when the boys were small was to teach them the ABC’s…Attitude, Behavior, Character & Commitment. These are same values taught at OHA and the United States Marine Corps.

Matt Wesley with OHA President, Andy Oakes

Matt was very honored to return to OHA and talk with all of the players about his experience at OHA and boot camp. Hockey has taught him a lot of life lessons and he has met some wonderful people through this great sport. He really noticed a difference in the recruits at boot camp that did not play competitive team sports in their mentality and toughness. He feels that OHA and the program here helped to give him an edge many others did not have. He has since been promoted to Private First Class and is on his way to becoming a Force Recon Marine which is the toughest program within the US Marines (same as the US Navy SEAL program).