At 16 years of age, Cael Zimmerman is one of the younger players in the Western Hockey League.

The Englefeld product is making the most of his first season in the WHL with the Calgary Hitmen.

Other than a small portion of pre-season games, Zimmerman never had experience in the league until his first game of the regular season this year.

"It's going pretty good. There is a great group of guys on the team who have been helping me out and making me feel at home," he said.

Zimmerman played just one season of Midget hockey and did so in Prince Albert for the AAA Mintos last season where he posted 42 points over 39 games played.

He says that there are a few things he has picked up on as the young season rolls on.

"The speed of the game and how quickly things happen. You don't have a whole lot of time out there, so you have to think quicker and make plays quicker."

The stats sheet shows that the former Humboldt Minor Hockey player is figuring things out as well.

Zimmerman scored his first goal on October 13 against the Kelowna Rockets.

"It was kind of a lucky one," he joked. "I was very excited. It kind of relieves the pressure too, and once that is out of the way you can just play hockey and do what you love."

"My mom was probably more excited than me when I scored that goal."

Going back to the Rockets game, he has added another goal and two assists since for four points in his last eight games played.

The aura of playing in a big city has been experienced in more than just his on-ice game, according to Zimmerman. 

The Hitmen play in the same building as the Calgary Flames, which he says has been cool to see.

"Their dressing room is really close to our dressing room, so we always see the players walking around," he said. "It's cool to see that it really is that close - yet - you know how much work still has to go into it to make it to that next level."

While he is several hours away from home, and in another province, Zimmerman says that his family has been very supportive of him, which has helped him settle in.

"My parents have made a couple trips out on weekends when we have two home games. I also have an aunt who lives in Calgary, so I go see her quite often," he explained.

"It's nice to see my parents out when they have made the trip, and for them to come out this way, it is pretty special."