TISDALE — Rylan Donald is pleased to suit up for the Tisdale Trojans to cap his midget AAA hockey career.
“A couple things I enjoy about playing for the Trojans is having the opportunity to play close to home and playing for the team I grew up wanting to play for,” the Star City product said. “I also enjoy the endless support that fans, coaches and locals give everyday.”
The 17-year-old defenceman spent his first two Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League seasons with the Yorkton Maulers. When asked what drew him to Tisdale for this campaign, Donald said “the success that the team has had every year and the great community and as well as the atmosphere that surrounds the Trojans.”
Through 29 games, the 5-foot-10, 170-pound Donald has a goal and nine points. Moving from the Maulers to the Trojans meant that some former foes became teammates.
“Most of the returning players I knew before we even started playing against each other in midget, so it wasn’t too bad,” Donald said. “However, it is still a bit of change of scenery when you go from battling against them to going into battle with them.”
Donald has adapted and has been having fun playing his final midget season in Tisdale.
“I really enjoy being given the opportunity to play close to home and have family and friends in the stands at every home game supporting me. Being close to home also helps with the transition that you make at the start of the year to a new family and a new town,” said Donald, who billets with Rob, Janine, Lux and Gage Boxall.
The Trojans this week
Saturday, Feb. 8 in Tisdale
Battlefords 6, Tisdale 3
Tisdale Scorer: Kylynn Olafson, Mackenzie Carson, Ethan Lang
Stars Scorers: Vaughn Watterodt (3), Curren Wintonyk-Pilot, Ethan Grabowski, Jake Southgate
Goalies: Hunter Lolacher, Tisdale, 10 saves on 12 shots; Boston Gelowitz, Tisdale, 7 on 11; Jackson Fellner, Battlefords, 35 on 38
Notes: Battlefords led 3-2 and 4-3 at the intermissions.
Sunday, Feb. 9 in Tisdale
Battlefords 6, Tisdale 3
Trojans Scorers: Kalen Ukrainetz, Trenton Curtis, Carter Briltz
Stars Scorers: Owen Slugoski (2), Curren Wintonyk-Pilot, Mason Bueckert, Payton Kostyshyn, Vaughn Watterodt
Goalies: Hunter Lolacher, Tisdale, 33 saves on 39 shots; Jackson Fellner, Battlefords, 28 on 31; Ethan Hein, Battlefords, 0 on 0
Notes: The Stars led 2-0 in the first and took a 4-0 lead in the second. Curtis, on a powerplay, and Briltz scored before the second intermission to cut the lead to 4-2.
Trojans Tracks
Ethan Anders (2016-17) made 41 saves on Saturday to backstop the Western Hockey League’s Red Deer Rebels to a 3-0 win over the Calgary Hitmen. It was his fourth WHL shutout. The Pilot Butte product is 9-15-0-2 this season with a 3.94 goals against average.
This Week
The Tisdale Trojans (20-18-1-1) were to play in Prince Albert on Wednesday against the Mintos (25-14-0-1). The team hosts the Beardy’s Blackhawks (12-25-1-0) on Sunday. After Sunday, the Trojans’ only remaining regular season home game is on Feb. 19 versus Yorkton (3-34-0-1).
