Canada is a factory for churning out young, gifted, hockey players and Liam Pue is no different.
At just 14 years of age, Pue is one of the most enticing hockey prospects in the country. Starring for the U18 Langley Hockey Academy, the forward has produced 22 goals and 34 total points in a modest 21 games. It’s an impressive body of work for Pue, but he has bigger aspirations for this season and beyond.
“I want to go as far as I can, and hopefully one day make it to the NHL and find success,” Pue shared.
The NHL does seem to be on Pue’s horizon, but for now, he’s enjoying playing on the same team as his older brother, Landon.
“It’s the first time we’ve ever played together, and it’s so special. Being able to score on a goal from his pass or me doing the same for him is an unreal feeling, and it’s been amazing,” Pue said.
Pue and his brother both started skating at a young age and fell in love with the sport instantly. Pue recalls being just two years old when his dad took him out to skate, and he immediately fell in love with the feeling of being on the ice. As his skills on the ice improved, he found his passion for teamwork to be the greatest reward.
“I love passing to a teammate and seeing them score. It brings so much joy to me,” he said.
Although the youngest player on his team, Pue is tied for the team lead in total points, proving that age really is just a number. However, it has also been a challenge he has faced throughout his career.
“I’ve been playing up my whole life, and that’s always been a challenge. Playing against older and more experienced guys is pretty normal for me, but this year has been the biggest adjustment,” Pue explained.
So far, no issues. “I think I’ve held my own and just played my game, and I have great teammates who have supported me this season.”
Pue’s scoring prowess has been on the radars of many scouts, and he feels like his skills would be the perfect complement to two superstars in the NHL.
“I’d love to play on a line with (Auston) Matthews and probably Jack Hughes. I feel like we’d score a lot of goals,” he added.
What Pue is doing in the JPHL is otherworldly and deserves more recognition. Not only is he lighting the league up (tied for second in points), but he is doing so as someone who isn’t even old enough to drive a motorized vehicle.
But for Pue, who needs a car when you move effortlessly around the ice?
He isn’t NHL draft-eligible until 2028, but general managers should be playing close attention to Pue with the hope he can be the franchise alterer he appears to be.
by Riley Turgeon
Riley Turgeon is a fourth-year journalism student at MacEwan University. He is an aspiring sports journalist, a casual hockey fan and a diehard football fan.