Landon Ferraro comes from a family that eats, sleeps, and breathes hockey.

In 2002 his father, Ray Ferraro, finished off an illustrious 18-year career in the NHL, while his stepmother, Cammi Granato, is the former captain of the U.S. national women’s hockey team.

Ferraro set the stage for a career of his own on , when he was selected second overall in the WHL Bantam Draft by the Red Deer Rebels, a testament to his skills, and his hockey genes.

The 16-year-old is the getting the chance to showcase his skills on a national stage this week, taking part in the 2007 TELUS Cup as a member of the Vancouver North West Giants.

What makes playing for a national championship even better is that he is getting the chance to play in front of his future hometown fans in Red Deer.

“I remember the beginning of the year and how the fans packed the [Enmax] Centrium,” Ferraro said between games this week. “It was a great feeling to know they supported the team and I can’t wait to be a part of it next year.”

Being part of the Rebels is a great feat for the Ferraro, and he knows that playing under head coach Brent Sutter will be the experience of a lifetime.

But while he is excited for the opportunity, he knows that he will have to prove himself.

“From being up with the Rebels at the beginning of the season, I know that I need to work hard, and that’s the type of player that I am. I think it’ll be a good fit and I’m looking forward to coming back,” says Ferraro on being a part of the Rebels’ future.

A strong and agile skater, Ferraro has the skills to create offensive opportunities whenever he steps on the ice, something he did well with the Giants during the season.

The team leader in goals in both the regular season (26) and playoffs (5), Ferraro is already showing some of the offensive skills his father showed during his NHL career – Ray Ferraro scored 408 goals in 1,258 NHL games with six teams (HFD, NYI, NYR, LA, ATL, STL).

“I’ve learned a lot from my dad, but I don’t think I’ll be able to beat his WHL record of 108 goals,” Ferraro says of the mark his father set in 1983-84 with the Brandon Wheat Kings.

The younger Ferraro’s numbers for 2006-07 are even more impressive considering he missed time in late February to join Team British Columbia at the Canada Winter Games in Whitehorse, YT.

Ferraro had four goals – all in the opening game against New Brunswick – and two assists in five games as B.C. finished fifth.