TISDALE — Kalen Ukrainetz became the Tisdale Trojans’ all-time leading scorer in impressive fashion.
The third year forward from Wynyard scored three goals and recorded six points on Sunday afternoon in a 9-3 victory over the Beardy’s Blackhawks. Those six points pushed Ukrainetz one ahead of former record holder Rylan Freed – 123 to 122.
“It means a lot to me,” Ukrainetz said of the record. “I’ve worked hard on the Ice and it’s starting to pay off so that’s always what you’re hoping for.”
The 17-year-old leads the Trojans with 60 points and 32 goals in 39 games, as of Sunday. While he has been an effective points producer all season long, Ukrainetz acknowledged that Sunday was pretty special for him.
“I just went into the game with a clear mind and had lots of fun. My line as well as our team played very well, and it just seemed to be our night,” said Ukrainetz, who is on a line with Mackenzie Carson (30 goals and 42 points this season) and Trenton Curtis (36 assists and 49 points).
Ukrainetz is certainly familiar with the former Trojan he passed on the team’s career points list. Freed and Ukrainetz are dating sisters.
“We have definitely discussed it a couple times,” Ukrainetz said of the record.
Freed said that Ukrainetz is an “incredible player. Definitely a skilled kid … He’s got a bright future ahead of him in hockey or whatever he intends to do. I’m happy it was him who first broke my record and I hope many kids can come in and push for the record.”
Last season Ukrainetz was the fourth leading scorer on the Trojans squad that made it all the way to the Telus Cup national midget AAA championship and won the bronze medals. He recorded 17 goals and 35 points. As a rookie, Ukrainetz was part of talented young group. He posted 15 goals and 28 points.
Freed suited up for the Trojans in 2011-14. In his final season, he paced the team with 53 points. Freed went on to play with six teams in five different junior hockey leagues, including his hometown Melfort Mustangs. He also saw action at the pro level in one game with the Kingsville, Ont. North Shore Knights of the Federal Hockey League. For the past two seasons, Freed has played senior hockey. He has been with the Kerrobert Tigers this winter.
“Playing in Tisdale was three of the best years of my life,” Freed said. “There’s many people from the town that I am still very close with and connected with. There’s also still many guys I played with that I’m still in contact with on a weekly basis and whenever we can get together we start off as if we were just together playing for Tisdale. For any kids that are looking at the Trojan program, there’s nothing but high praise I can give them. I really enjoyed my time there and am always following them closely.”
Earlier in this campaign, Ukrainetz surpassed Brooks Laich for the most goals by a Trojan. As of Sunday, Ukrainetz had scored 64. All of Laich’s came in his one season in Tisdale, 1999-2000, before going on to a career in the Western Hockey League, minor pro leagues, and the National Hockey League.
