TISDALE — Jordan Normand looks at life with a glass half full mindset.
That positive attitude is an important reason why the Warman product leads the Tisdale Trojans this season as their captain. The 16-year-old forward is in his second season with the U18 AAA club.
“He’s a team-first guy,” Tisdale head coach Dennis Kubat said. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen him be negative. He’s always positive. He’s always positive on the bench. If we’re down four, five – nothing, he’s still being as positive as he can.
“He thinks about others before himself. He’s pretty much exactly what you’d look for in a guy being your captain.”
Normand said captaining the Trojans is a huge privilege.
“There are many guys on the team that could’ve filled the spot,” he said. “It’s a big responsibility being the captain of a team of this calibre but I’m loving it.”
Normand believes he helps the team by leading by example.
“I do that by being vocal and positive in the dressing room as well as being a 200-foot player on the ice,” he said.
Last season, excelling in a penalty kill and shutdown role, the 5-foot-8, 147-pounder had four goals and nine points in 43 games. Those numbers are expected to rise this season.
“Last year obviously relied more on the defensive side/PK, but we’re hoping we can tap more into his offensive side this year as well,” Kubat said. “He’ll get a chance on special teams and he’ll get a chance to be one of our forwards that we rely on throughout the game.
“I know he can play well defensively. We’re just trying to work on the offensive side of his game and give him more confidence in that area.”
During Normand’s time with the Trojans, Kubat has witnessed him become more confident with the puck. He said his “ability to make plays continue to improve.”
Normand has enjoyed his time in Tisdale. He likes the camaraderie with his teammates. “We are together every day and even after only a few months we are super close,” Normand said.
The Trojans last week
Last Week
The Tisdale Trojans games versus the Prince Albert Mintos – slated for Saturday and Sunday – were postponed due to poor weather and travel conditions.
This Week
This weekend, for the first time ever, the Trojans (0-1) will take on the Warman Wildcats (0-2). The team is in its first season in the U18 AAA league. The teams play in Warman on Friday and on Saturday night in Tisdale.
Trojans captain Jordan Normand and teammate Kody Norberg hail from Warman. Fellow Trojan Payton Kachur is from nearby Martensville.
“Playing in Warman will be a weird but cool experience,” Normand said. “I grew up and live in Warman, so I’ll be playing in the rink I’ve played in my whole life.”
