The Scotiabank Saddledome was awash with local talent on Dec. 30 as the Calgary Hitmen took on the Lethbridge Hurricanes in Western Hockey League (WHL) action.
On one side of the spectrum was 19-year-old Cochranite Tyler Wong, captain of the Hurricanes. A veteran forward who is having a stellar season having scored 44 points (24 goals, 20 assists) in 39 games as Hurricanes have gone 27-12 this season, currently sitting first in the Central Division.
On the other side stood 17-year-old Sundre native and Edge School graduate Andrew Fyten – a rookie Hitmen forward looking to gain experience and make an impact in his first season in the WHL as his team has gone 25-15-1-1 and currently sit third in the Central Division.
Past deeds and future goals were put aside however, as the two rival teams engaged in a titanic clash before the New Year that ended 6-4 for the Hitmen, who came back from a 4-3 deficit to score three unanswered in the third period.
“It’s probably the worst game we’ve had in a long time,” said Wong, who failed to record a single point in the encounter. “I just thought they outworked us a lot, and the refereeing wasn’t the best, but you can’t blame it all on them. We took some stupid penalties, and they capitalized on it.
“It was a tough break for us, but you’ve still got to find a way to win. I missed the net tonight with about five minutes left to tie it up, but the bounces just weren’t going our way.”
Hurricanes haven’t posted a winning season in the last couple previous to this year, how have things changed at the organization?
“The team’s been unbelievable compared to the last few years,” Wong said. “We’ve been playing amazing hockey and every single guy has been pulling his weight. There’s so much depth here.
“Personally, for myself playing with Giorgio (Estephan) has been great. We have a lot of chemistry and have been putting up a lot of points.”
Now that there is an entirely different coaching staff and atmosphere at the club, how does Wong feel about having stuck with Hurricanes through the tough times?
“I feel so blessed to be playing hockey at this level,” he said. “It’s a huge opportunity so as bad as years past have been, I’ve always tried to stay positive and have a little perspective about how lucky I am to be doing this.”
As disappointed as Wong was with his team’s loss, Fyten was equally ecstatic with the win.
“It was a huge division win,” he said. “This was a big game in the battle for first place.”
How has he been enjoying his time in the league so far?
“It’s been unreal,” he said. “I’m so pleased to have this opportunity. It’s a fantastic organization and the fans are great to play in front of.
“The guys in the dressing room have been great. It’s like a brotherhood, we all get along and stick up for each other.”
As an Edge School graduate, how does he feel their hockey program helped to prepare him for life in the WHL?
“I loved the Edge,” he said. “If you go there, there’s a good chance you’ll end up in the WHL or NCAA. The schedule is set up much like here where you’re on the ice every day, you practice a lot, travel all the time and have to keep up with school.
“It’s a great mix.”
Now that he has his feet grounded and is used to the tempo of the league, what are some of the goals he’s set himself?
“I just want to be a guy that goes hard to the net and stirs things up every night,” he said.
“That’s what my role for this team is.”
