Canadian Content

Chicago's Sahir Gill acclimates and prepares for life (and hockey) in the U.S.
Paul Shaheen - Amateur Hockey Report Senior Writer
ROI - 'The stars of tomorrow..play here today.'
October 10, 2009

It's a crisp and cool Saturday in Chicago. And though it's early morning, a 'midnight magician' is busy at work.

No, he's not pulling rabbits out of his hat, rather, he's doing something far more pedestrian for a young man of 17: He's preparing to sit for his SAT.

Sahir Gill (Terrace, BC), Chicago's electrifying rookie left wing who came to the Steel via the 2009 Royal Bank Cup champion Vernon Vipers where as a rookie last season he scored 26 goals and 56 points in 71 games, is by every indication someone who knows where he's going and exactly how he's going to get there.

Even when some things come by surprise.

Last year, the 5-10, 180 pound Gill barely made it to the BCHL. Having been cut the previous summer by the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, he made the Vipers solely on the strength of a strong training camp. Yet early on, he wasn't playing very much, or very well for that matter, until Vernon coach (and former NHLer) Mark Ferner put Gill on a line with brother act (and 2010 Quinnipiac recruits) Conner and Kellen Jones, who worked magic all their own by amassing some 151 points as the BCHL's most potent offensive line.

Not only did Vernon win the RBC, they did so in grand style, winning its last 11 post season games (Snakes with Sting--AHR May 19, 2009).

So what with Gill heading into his senior year of high school, and a chance to skate alongside the Jones brothers for yet another season, a return to Vernon seemed more or less in the cards.

Ah, but magicians never tip their hand.

Instead, having been heavily scrutinized by the Steel (who had a scout keeping an eye him all season long and who later drafted him during the 2009 USHL Entry Draft), Gill took an about face and opted to come to the USHL.

"I didn't plan on coming here at all," said the well spoken Gill, whose highlight goal from last year was a triple OT winner in game four of the BCHL championship series versus Powell River. "But I came here for camp, spoke to some people who were familiar with Chicago, and it seemed like a very good spot."

That was part of the reason he came to Chicago, but there's more.

"Here in the USHL there is lots of exposure," Gill added. I had a great spot in Vernon, but I may have felt a little too comfortable, I wanted to play (US) college hockey, so I decided to come here and get accustomed to the States."

The WHL's Vancouver Giants drafted Gill, but then traded his rights to Kamloops, which went after him heavily last spring, but has since backed off.

Gill's family, which now lives in Penticton, BC, is of Sikh Indian descent. His first name, Sahir (sa-HERE) translates most closely into 'midnight magician.' When watching Gill perform, it's obvious there's plenty in his bag of tricks.

"He is very skilled, and everybody likes him," says Steel head coach (and one-time NHL defenseman), Steve Poapst. "He competes, and that's what you want, because by doing that he will be successful."

Through three regular season games, Gill has picked up two goals and seven points, matching that of fellow top Steel scorer Andrei Kuchin, an import himself (born in 1991) from Russia.
Gill has all the tools. The only challenge now is to adapt them to a higher level of play.

"The USHL is faster paced, and a much younger league," says Gill, who is finishing his academic requirements via online correspondence with his high school back home. "Last year I was pretty young, we had nearly six kids 20 years old. There was a different feel, a lot of bigger bodies. Here, it's quicker, you can't underestimate anyone. In the BCHL, each team usually had some lines you could take advantage of, but not here. I'll be looked upon to produce more this year," added Gill, "but also play well defensively. I'm getting some penalty kill time, which I'm hoping will benefit me."

Poapst has little doubt everything will come together for Gill, as if it hasn't started to already. "He's going through the adjustments like anyone his age," said Poapst, after his team turned back Waterloo by a 6-3 score on Friday night. "This league's a little quicker, and a bit grittier. He just needs to be quicker and crisper."

Gill's parents are Bob and Kanwal. Gill's mother has a cousin in Chicago which has made it a bit easier for her to come to town and spend time watching her son. There's also an older brother, six years Sahir's elder, whom is finishing his university studies back in BC.

Having narrowed his collegiate choices to North Dakota, Minnesota, Boston University and Northeastern, Gill plans on making his 'fly downs' later in the month of October and perhaps have a decision by the end of the calendar year.

"This way," said Gill, "I can get that out of the way and focus on the year."

That's a magician for you--leaving the audience in suspense, yet always fully prepared.