By Matthew Gourlie /

The first time he was passed over in a draft, Jason Bast immediately set out to make himself a better hockey player.

As soon as the 2004 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft ended, Bast grabbed his stick and went into his backyard in White City, Sask., and shot pucks into an empty net.

“I just got back to work and was shooting pucks,” Bast said. “I had a set up in my backyard and I was out there all night. I guess I was pretty motivated by not being picked.

“I made it my goal that (the WHL) was where I wanted to play.”

The WHL is where the 19-year-old centre has excelled. He had a career year last season, netting 34 goals and adding 45 assists to finish 13th in league scoring.

That still wasn’t enough to generate any interest from the National Hockey League. Bast wasn’t drafted for a second time. He was hoping his play would open some eyes and some doors, but he isn’t discouraged.

“I’m kind of used to this sort of thing,” said Bast. “I just have to keep working and my chance will come.

“I’ve been through it a few times now, so I’m not panicking.”

Instead, he continued to work on improving his game. He no longer shoots black rubber into the suburban darkness. Instead, he spent his summer on the ice trying to further develop his skills.

The one thing he can’t work on may be his biggest drawback at the next level. Bast is either 5-9 or 5-10 — he says it depends on who is measuring — and his lack of size has been a knock against him his whole life.

A strong penalty killer in addition to his sniping ability, Bast has withstood the rigours of the WHL — missing just one game in two seasons. He further stepped up his play in the thick of the post-season, scoring 11 points in six games last spring.

“I don’t really feel like I get pushed around,” Bast offered. “The way I think about it is being two or three inches taller wouldn’t help me put the puck in the net. There are lots of other smaller guys who are getting chances so I can’t use it as an excuse.”

Bast quickly stopped dreaming of a big growth spurt and has accepted he’s going to have to beat the odds to make it to the NHL.

“After the Bantam Draft, I just dreamed of growing,” said Bast who was 5-4 when he was 14. “I let that go. I realized I can’t let that hold me back. You can’t worry about what you can’t control.

“I just try to tell myself that size can’t prevent me from doing what I have to do. I just have to keep working.”

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