TISDALE — Tisdale Trojans defenceman Dylan Ashe does not back down from trying to stop some of the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League’s top offensive players.
“Who doesn’t like a challenge? I love playing against great competition, pushing myself more and more playing against more skilled guys,” the 16-year-old said.
Ashe’s strong play on the backend has helped the Trojans to a 26-5-3-1 record this season. After two regulation losses and a shootout loss last week, the Trojans were in second place in the SMAAAHL – two points behind the Saskatoon Blazers, 58-56.
Trojans head coach Darrell Mann described Ashe as “a shutdown, big, strong D-man.” He said the Warman product is counted on to play against other teams’ top lines and is a great penalty killer. What makes the 6-foot-1, 185-pounder so strong defensively?
“He is a big, strong kid, but also skates so well,” Mann said. “He is a really strong skater. He is strong and physical. These are really good attributes for him. He likes to battle. He is hard on pucks. He wins most of the battles he gets into.”
However, Mann said Ashe “does have an offensive side. He likes to jump into the rush as the third or fourth guy.” In 22 games this season, Ashe had four assists.
Ashe was out of action for about two months after breaking his collar bone in the preseason. He said he had never been injured before.
“It was definitely different, but I really stayed connected with the boys, which helped a lot,” Ashe said. “I didn’t stop going to the gym while I was out. I worked on strengthening my collar bone and kept in good shape during my injury.”
Missing time can be challenging. Of Ashe, Mann said, “Everyday he seems to get better and better and stronger and stronger. We know here down the stretch we have got to have him playing some of his best hockey of the year.”
Last season Ashe split the season between his hometown midget AA team and the Trojans. He said he had to adjust to the faster pace of the AAA level.
“I really had to work on my foot speed along with my strength and really just focusing and making sure I make the correct play,” Ashe said.
This season he had the opportunity to play at the next level. He suited up as an affiliated player for the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s Melfort Mustangs.
“It was a blast, playing against older guys, more skilled players,” Ashe said. “Melfort has a great team and they seem like a tight group of guys. It was a fun thing to be part of.”
In Tisdale, Ashe billets with Robbie and Amanda Larson and their son Hazen. Fellow Trojan Dawson Schaff also lives with the family.
“The best part of playing on the Tisdale Trojans is all of my teammates,” Ashe said. “It’s the closest group of guys I’ve been with – always hanging out and having fun. I also love representing Tisdale and being a top contender as a team this year.”
