BAKERSFIELD, CA – As a young boy playing in youth hockey leagues, Brayden Watts dreamed of one day being able to don a Bakersfield Condors jersey and play professionally for his hometown team. 

On Wednesday night those dreams came true as Watts, on a recall from the ECHL Wichita Thunder (a team-leading 33 points, 7g, 26a) took the ice for the Condors, the first Bakersfield native (other than emergency backup goalie) to do so. 

“It was awesome,” Watts said. “I was fortunate enough to get the call up and play in front of my friends and family.”

“It’s very surreal, growing up and watching all my coaches and them texting me today and wishing me luck and them coming to watch the game… it’s just a dream come true.”

Watts, who was the first Bakersfield native to be drafted into the WHL, trains in Bakersfield during the summer and was with the Condors in training camp. 

“I thought Brayden Watts took advantage of an opportunity today, didn’t he?,” said Woodcroft, rhetorically. “I’ve got to know Brayden from the summertime just from all the work he puts in here training. This year he came to training camp and left a good impression.”

“He has gone down to Wichita and built on a strong rookie year last year by putting up some solid numbers in his sophomore year. He earned his recall. He earned it.”

Watts started on the fourth line, but played so well he was quickly elevated to the second line. 

“When I’m sitting there behind the bench and I didn’t love what we were seeing in that first period, I was just trying to coach with my eyes and see who had a little bit of jump or a little bit of spark. 

“I thought Brayden had that jump and sure enough he contributed to some strong shifts, numerous scoring chances and ultimately he was the guy responsible for drawing that first power play for us that got us back into the game.”