Stars' Fraser on family and career

CEDAR PARK (KXAN) - It's hard to be away from home on the holidays, but even twice as hard when a loved one is ill.  Matt Fraser is a 21-year old rookie for the Texas Stars hockey team from Alberta, Canada, who's mom has been battling cancer, as he tries to build a career.

21-hundred miles from his home in Red Deer, Alberta north of Calgary, Fraser is trying to make it to the NHL He's a rookie forward for the Texas Stars, the AHL minor-league affiliate for the Dallas Stars.

“There’s so many players that are so good in this league,” said Fraser.  “And, then you think, ‘Holy! How come they’re not in the NHL?’  And, it might be the smallest little detail that doesn’t get them there.”

“I’ve seen a lot of guys come and go,” said Stars head coach Jeff Pyle.  “I think Matt will definitely play in the NHL.”

Hockey is one of the toughest sports to enjoy the holiday season, because Thanksgiving and Christmas fall in the heart of their schedule.  But, for Fraser, it's also a time where world's collide.  Professionally, he's committed to chasing his dream.  Personally, he's thinking about family.  His mom has been battling thyroid cancer since 2001.

“Being in Texas, it’s really far away from where I’m from,” said Fraser.  “That’s what I have to give up to play, and [my family] knows that I miss them, and I know that they miss me.”

Fortunately, he has his team for support.  Head coach Jeff Pyle understands the sacrifice of a young hockey career.  His mom passed away from breast cancer.

“In all the years I played hockey, I only got to go home for Christmas one time,” said Pyle.  “Bottom line is, it just made me realize how much more I cared about [my mom], and how much she did for me, and how much time I spent with her when I was young.”

He also sees a lot of potential in young Fraser.

“He’s that kid that no matter how good he is, he’s going to want to be better,” Pyle said about Fraser.  “He pushes himself everyday, so he’s easy to coach.”

Fraser says growing up on the road, and watching his Mom battle to beat the disease, has made him a better person and player.

“It is definitely tough,” adds Fraser.  “I mean, it’s not easy anytime there’s any health problems in the family.  Luckily, [my mom] survived [cancer].  And then in 2008, she was re-diagnosed with it again.  You know, she’s still here today which is good.  She’s one of the strongest women I’ve ever met.”

Matt raised about 18-thousand dollars for cancer research with his junior hockey league team in British Columbia.  On the ice in 2011, he leads the Texas Stars in goals scored (14).  They play again Tuesday night, Dec. 27 against the San Antonio Rampage at the Cedar Park Center.