Game one of the B.C. Hockey Major Midget League (BCMML) championships kicks off tonight in Burnaby, B.C. and one Whitehorse athlete is hoping to be a difference maker.

Brett Roulston, a forward with the Cariboo Cougars, is having one of the most productive seasons of his career despite missing the entirety of last year with a lower-back injury.

Roulston was injured while he was playing for the Fort St. John Trackers during the Richmond International in December of 2009. After getting pushed from behind and feeling instant pain, he was diagnosed with a slipped disc and two minor fractures.

"It was a tough time,” Roulston said of the injury. "It didn't get better all season. I was just watching from the sidelines.”

Before the diagnoses, Roulston attempted to play through the injury but was forced to stop when the pain continued to increase.

"I wanted to help the team out,” he said. "But trying to play through it is probably what did me in.”

The physical forward bounced back this season, accumulating 36 points in 35 games for the Cougars. He's now a key member of the team as they make their push for the league championship.

The Cougars disposed of the Vancouver NE Chiefs in the semi-finals this past weekend and are advancing to their third straight BCMML final.

They will face the Vancouver North West Giants for the league championship for the third straight season.

Roulston and his teammates face a steep challenge as the Giants have swept the series in the last two years and posted a 3-1 regular season record against the Cougars.

Despite history being on the side of the Giants, Roulston is confident in his team.

"We just have to play our style of game,” he said. "Usually no teams can touch us when we do that.”

The Cougars are a big, physical squad, which is the ideal situation for the 6-foot-one, 190-pound forward.

"We never give up and basically just run teams over. There are not many weaknesses that we have,” he said.

Roulston was named an assistant captain this season due to his work ethic and consistent contributions to the team.

He was also named a runner-up for the league's player of the month award in January.

He attributes his strong return on the ice to his off-season conditioning and dedication.

"I'm really proud of this season,” he said. "I put a lot of work in and it's paying off. I'm getting rewarded.”

Roulston tried every option he could think of in his efforts to get back on the ice.

"I tried pilates, physiotherapy, acupuncture, massages, everything,” he said. "I just did everything I could to get stronger and get ready for the season.”

Roulston cites one of his favourite players as Jarome Iginla.

"I like the power-forward style of play,” he said. "Playing physical and shooting the puck a lot.”

After missing last season, one of the toughest challenges Roulston faced was getting his speed back to full strength.

"With this team, there's guys from all over Northern B.C.,” he said. "The league has the best players for this age group in B.C., so it's really fast and makes you take your game to another level.”

Roulston began his hockey career at just four-years-old. He played in Whitehorse until his first season of midget hockey with the AAA Trackers in 2010.

He's now attending Prince George Secondary School and despite missing Whitehorse, his family and friends, he said he's happy with the way things have worked out.

"It's a really nice place here,” he said. "It's a good fit.”

Instead of coming home to rehab his injury, Roulston opted to stay in Prince George last season, training with the team staff, helping out around the club and getting to know his teammates.

"I love the lifestyle of hockey,” he said. "Coming to the rink, being with all your buddies and everything, it's great.”

He said he's feeling confident, healthy and optimistic about his future in the sport.

"I want to play junior hockey and reach the highest level I can,” he said. "We'll see where the off-season takes me because you never know.”

By the end of this weekend, Roulston is hoping to have another accomplishment under his belt: BCMML champion.

"Losing last year was heartbreaking and we all remember it,” he said.

"This time around, we're hoping we can redeem ourselves.”