Kelowna Rockets defenceman Tyler Myers was born and raised in Houston, and played hockey there from age 6 to 10. He is also Texas-sized: 6 foot 6, and 200 pounds.
Next month, Myers will likely become the first Texan selected in the first round of the NHL entry draft. The 18-year-old was ranked fourth in the final list of North American skaters by the NHL's central scouting bureau, and should be selected before the draft is 10 picks old.
But for international purposes, Myers is a Canadian. The dual citizen made that decision this spring so he could play for Canada's entry at the under-18 world championship in Russia. (Both Myers's parents are American, though his father now lives in Calgary.)
Paul Myers said his son made the decision because he developed into the player he is thanks to Canadian hockey.
So consider Myers the Sunbelt kid who got away. He is not, however, the only Western Hockey League player with a birthplace that stands out like snow on a cactus.
Here is a list of Sunbelt players who played in the WHL this season (hometowns are in California unless otherwise noted). The Sunbelt was defined as California, Arizona and Texas:
Jonathan Blum, D, Rancho Santa Margarita. Vancouver Giants defenceman was first Californian taken in the first round of the NHL draft (Nashville Predators, 23rd overall in 2007).
Cameron Cepek, D, Huntington Beach. Edmonton Oil Kings blueliner was a seventh-round pick of the Montreal Canadiens in 2006.
Morgan Clark, G, Highland Village, Tex. Red Deer Rebels goalie, the son of Vancouver Canucks goaltending consultant Ian Clark is only Texas-born puck stopper in the WHL.
Chris Francis, C, Las Vegas. Portland Winter Hawks forward had 185 points in 71 games for his bantam AA team in Sin City.
Colin Haas, C, Plano, Tex. Prince George Cougars forward played 65 games this season.
Shane Harper, F, Valencia. Everett Silvertips forward is a former California high school hockey league MVP.
Curtis Kelner, F, Peoria, Ariz. Member of the WHL-champion Spokane Chiefs is a roller hockey player turned skater.
Matt Konan, D, Tustin. Medicine Hat Tigers defenceman, 16, is considered a future star.
Tim Kraus, C, Garden Grove. Regina Pats forward graduates with 75 goals in 306 games.
Ryan Letts, F, Newport Beach. Tough forward playing for Spokane at the Memorial Cup.
Colin Long, C, Santa Ana. Kelowna Rockets star was the WHL's second leading scorer in 2007-08 with 100 points.
Todd Mathews, G, Covina. Won nine of 15 decisions for an all-SoCal goaltending tandem in Moose Jaw.
Joey Perricone, G, San Juan Capistrano. Warriors goalie signed with the ECHL's Las Vegas Wranglers last month.
Parker Stanfield, F, Orange County. Prince George rookie had 23 points in 67 games.
C.J. Stretch, C, Irvine. Kamloops Blazers alternate captain.
Kyle Verdino, D, Phoenix. Kelowna defender looked like a football player (240 pounds) before slimming down.
Mitchell Wahl, C, Seal Beach. Spokane's second-leading scorer with 73 points.
Marcus Watson, C, San Jose. Prince George forward the only northern Californian in the WHL.
