A hockey standout from Greater Cincinnati is headed to Europe to play at the World Selects Invitational.At just 13 years old, Kirby Rayner is already 10 years into his hockey career and has big plans for his athletic future.Rayner is a goalie and has played for the Cincinnati Swords and Cincinnati Triple-A Junior Cyclones.Now, the Union, Kentucky, native is a student at Ballyshannon Middle School and is headed to Prague for 10 days to compete against the best young hockey players in the world.“A little nervous because it’s my first time at like a really, really big stage, but I’ve been to tournaments that are pretty big,” Rayner said.Kirby’s father and coach knows his son, who fostered a love for the game at just two years old, is ready for the challenge.“He puts in the work, and I think that’s the thing that separates him is that, even when he doesn’t want to, he puts the work in,” Rod Rayner said.Kirby said it has taken many workouts, setbacks and lessons to get to the point he is at today.“Never stop and never give up. Just keep on going through,” he said.Kirby is a two-sport athlete who also plays baseball.The exhibition games for the invitational start Saturday and select games will begin on Sunday.Next season, Kirby will be playing in Nashville for the Junior Predators.
CINCINNATI —
A hockey standout from Greater Cincinnati is headed to Europe to play at the World Selects Invitational.
At just 13 years old, Kirby Rayner is already 10 years into his hockey career and has big plans for his athletic future.
Rayner is a goalie and has played for the Cincinnati Swords and Cincinnati Triple-A Junior Cyclones.
Now, the Union, Kentucky, native is a student at Ballyshannon Middle School and is headed to Prague for 10 days to compete against the best young hockey players in the world.
“A little nervous because it’s my first time at like a really, really big stage, but I’ve been to tournaments that are pretty big,” Rayner said.
Kirby’s father and coach knows his son, who fostered a love for the game at just two years old, is ready for the challenge.
“He puts in the work, and I think that’s the thing that separates him is that, even when he doesn’t want to, he puts the work in,” Rod Rayner said.
Kirby said it has taken many workouts, setbacks and lessons to get to the point he is at today.
“Never stop and never give up. Just keep on going through,” he said.
Kirby is a two-sport athlete who also plays baseball.
The exhibition games for the invitational start Saturday and select games will begin on Sunday.
Next season, Kirby will be playing in Nashville for the Junior Predators.