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Hancock and Robins bring experience to Tisdale Trojans

TISDALE — Jeremy Hancock and Zac Robins have brought experience to the Tisdale Trojans’ blue line this season. Both the 16-year-old Hancock and 17-year-old Robins helped Tisdale win the Telus Cup Western Regional at home last year.
Hancock Robins
Jeremy Hancock and Zac Robins

TISDALE — Jeremy Hancock and Zac Robins have brought experience to the Tisdale Trojans’ blue line this season.

Both the 16-year-old Hancock and 17-year-old Robins helped Tisdale win the Telus Cup Western Regional at home last year. The Trojans went on to earn the bronze medals at the Telus Cup midget AAA national championship in Thunder Bay.

“Telus was all around an unreal experience and just playing in that atmosphere was awesome,” Robins said. “I loved being with the boys in the hotel for the week and the sightseeing we did was awesome too. We went and saw a waterfall and a Terry Fox memorial.”

The Trojans will have the opportunity to seek postseason success again. Last week they beat Prince Albert, 2-1, in a shootout on Wednesday to clinch a playoff spot.

Tisdale head coach Dennis Kubat said on Feb. 10 that Robins has had a really good stretch of play. He led the Trojans blueline with 24 points, including six goals, as of Feb. 14. Kubat described him as an offensive defenceman with a high skill set. The 5-foot-10, 175-pound Robins also paced the team with 79 penalty minutes.

Hailing from Weyburn, Robins played his 15-year-old season with Moose Jaw’s midget AAA squad.

“I was drawn to the Trojans last year because they were hosting Westerns and because a few of my buddies played here and said it was great, so I thought I would fit in nice here,” said Robins, who billets with Dean and Michelle Corbett and their children Jordyn and Carter.

Through Feb. 14, Hancock had 11 points with two goals. Kubat said the Melfort product has been very steady on the point and been a plus player most games of late.

The coach also noted that Hancock is actively involved in the local CHUMS (Caring, Helping, You and Me Sharing) mentorship program. Tisdale Middle and Secondary School student volunteers spend time with Tisdale Elementary School pupils and promote a healthy lifestyle.

“I personally love getting to be a part of the CHUMS program,” Hancock said. “Everything about it is amazing. Very well organized and great activities along with a great group of senior and junior CHUMS.”

Hancock is used to being a part of successful teams. Before joining the Trojans, he helped Okanagan Hockey Academy Edmonton win a Canadian School Sport Hockey League bantam championship. Last summer Hancock played a role as Canada West won the U16 division at the World Junior Ball Hockey Championship. Hancock has good memories of competing in Prague, Czech Republic.

“I just remember how the boys came together so fast and bonded and just set our goals high from the second we stepped on the plane,” he said, noting that experience “helps with adjusting and trying to fit in and getting along with everyone.”

 

The Trojans last week

Sunday, Feb. 16 in Tisdale

Tisdale 9, Beardy’s 3

Trojans Scorers: Kalen Ukrainetz (3), Mackenzie Carson (2), Trenton Curtis, Kylynn Olafson, Carter Briltz, Rylan Donald

Blackhawks Scorers: Robert Pizzey, Parker Layton, Teagan Koehler

Goalies: Hunter Lolacher, Tisdale, 42 saves on 45 shots; Kris Johnson, Beardy’s, 37 on 46

Notes: “It was one of those games where everyone was contributing. The shots were pretty equal, but Hunter again played awesome and we scored on the chances we had. … We were on today,” Tisdale head coach Dennis Kubat said. Eleven players recorded at least a point. Ukrainetz finished with six points. Curtis had four. Zac Robins and Ukrainetz each had three assists each. Tisdale led 2-0 and 5-2 at the intermissions. It was the last regular season meeting between the two teams. In a Saskatchewan Hockey Association realignment, the First Nations’ midget AAA and AA programs were eliminated. Beardy’s has been in the midget AAA league since 1995 and played as the Blackhawks since 1999.

 

Ukrainetz, Trojans succeed

Last week was a big one for the Tisdale Trojans.

The Trojans stopped a four-game skid and enter this week on a two-game winning streak. With a 2-1 shootout victory on the road Wednesday against Prince Albert, the Trojans clinched a playoff spot. As of Sunday, the Trojans sat in seventh place – two points head of eighth-place Swift Current.

On Sunday, the Trojans pounded the Beardy’s Blackhawks, 9-3. Tisdale captain Kalen Ukrainetz had a hat trick and six points. It was announced that he became the Trojans’ all-time leading scorer, head coach Dennis Kubat said.

Kubat was pleased to see several players contribute offensively on Sunday. He said that type of secondary scoring will be important in the playoffs.

Entering the last week of the regular season, Kubat said the team is focused on being better in the defensive zone.

“Even giving up 45 shots [Sunday] is not going to win nus many playoff series,” Kubat said.

 

This Week

The Tisdale Trojans (22-18-1-1) wrap up their regular season this week. They host the Yorkton Maulers (3-36-0-1) on Wednesday. The Trojans play the Saskatoon Blazers (29-9-1-1) on Saturday on the road.