When Thomas Scoffin took the podium last week in Innsbruck, Austria, it was a first.

Not for the young curler, who has already amassed a lifetimes worth of achievements in the sport, but for the nation.

Scoffin and his teammates, B.C.'s Corryn Brown, Emily Gray of P.E.I., and Derek Oryniak of Manitoba, were awarded Canada's first ever medal at the Youth Olympic Games.

Having recently returned to Whitehorse, Scoffin talked about his experience and what it means to be part of the history books.

"The atmosphere was unreal,” said the 17-year-old skip.

"I think our team handled it pretty well. We'd all played in some big games before so we were prepared and came out strong.”

Canada dropped their first match, 6-5 to Austria, but would lose only once more in the preliminary round, 6-5 to Sweden.

Canada finished second overall in their pool with five wins and two losses.

"It was a blessing in disguise,” Scoffin said of Canada's opening loss.

"It made us pull our socks up and after that we were very strong.”

Coach and father, Wade Scoffin, said the opening loss stemmed from a lack of familiarity and cohesiveness amongst the team.

"The team itself was still getting to know each other in the heat of the battle,” Wade said. "But that relationship got stronger and stronger throughout the week.”

Canada went on to face the Czech Republic in the quarter-final, winning 7-6.

"The Czech's were a bit of a surprise team,” said Wade. "It was a game where our team was a bit nervous and didn't play their best, but it was good enough to get the win.”

From there Canada was matched up with Italy in the semifinals. Canada defeated Italy in an earlier match-up, 6-0, but this time around the Italian team came out prepared and carried early momentum to an 8-2 victory.

"That loss was heartbreaking,” said Thomas.

"I don't think any junior team in Canada would have beat Italy the way they came out and were firing,” said Wade.

"Canada played well but Italy made every shot. They called a very good game.”

After the loss, Canada moved into the bronze medal game against Sweden.

"It was gut-check time after that loss,” said Thomas.

"It was one of those games were you have to put everything on the line.”

Canada went on defeat Sweden, 6-2, to cement their status in the Canadian curling books.

"We were super happy with the way things turned out,” said Thomas.

"It would have been great to be in the final but we played hard all week and learned a lot.””

One of the lessons Thomas said he took away from the event was learning to live in the moment.

"You never know when you'll get a chance to compete in an event like that,” he said.

"So you really just have to enjoy it and hope for the best.”

Wade said the event produced some of the finest curling he had seen from his son.

"His shot-making was terrific,” he said. "As far as throwing and execution it was as strong as I've ever seen from him.”

"The overall event was amazing,” said Wade. "There were 25,000 people there for the opening ceremonies and they did it just the same as any other Olympics, just on a more economical budget.

"To have 70 countries announced and then watch them march in was a real thrill.”

Thomas said the team formed a close bond over the course of the week and he's looking forward to facing his teammates in the curling world.

He won't have to wait long as he'll be matched up against Oryniak in next week's Nationals in Napanee, Ont.

"For young curlers like us, we took a lot from it and hopefully it helps us in the future,” said Thomas.

"It's definitely not easy to represent Canada on the international stage.

"It's something every curler dreams of doing so it was a huge honour.”