TISDALE — When the Tisdale Trojans wrap up practice for the day, defenceman Cole Barry is usually the last player to exit the playing surface.
“I just like being out on the ice,” the 17-year-old from Saskatoon said. “It’s fun to just go rip around so I’ll usually stay out there as long as I can. Either shooting around with a few of the guys or just working on some small things in my game.”
His passion for the game and his dedication to improving are just some of the reasons Barry is a leader this season for the Saskatchewan Male U18 AAA Hockey League team.
“Cole is a great leader by example, always is the last guy off the ice, will go to battle each and every day,” said Tisdale head coach Dennis Kubat, who noted, “He does well in the classroom.”
A 5-foot-8, 145-pound blue liner, Barry is one of only two Trojans back from the 2020-21 abbreviated campaign. Fellow returnee Cody Wilson, a goaltender, and Barry are also the only 17-year-olds on the roster.
“With Cody and I being the only returning guys, we’ve been helping the younger guys on the team get used to the league, by using our experience to give some pointers and help them to settle into the fast pace of the league,” Barry said. “We also take time to show them how things work around the dressing room from keeping it clean and dialled in to it being a good environment to be in.”
In 2019-20, Barry played for the Saskatoon Riverkings U18 AA team and was an affiliated player for three games with the U18 AAA Saskatoon Blazers. When it came time to move up fulltime to the AAA level, Barry chose the Trojans.
“Some things that I have enjoyed about playing for the Trojans are how you are with the guys pretty much all day everyday from being at the rink to being in class. As well as the atmosphere of the rink at home games,” he said.
After only being able to play a handful of games in front of a limited capacity crowd, Barry said it is “pretty fun to play in front of a big crowd again.”
As well as the backing of the home crowds, Barry appreciates the support of his billet family. Barry and teammate Carter Ralston live with Chris and Steph Garland and their children Easton and Paisley.
“I stayed with them last year and they were pretty awesome to stay with,” he said. “They really go out of their way to make us feel at home and they have an awesome property.”
The Trojans last week
Friday, Oct. 15 in Moose Jaw
Moose Jaw Warriors 12, Tisdale 3
Trojans Scorers: Matty Healey, Ashtyn Shields
Warriors Scorers: Blake Betson (2), Brady Wilson (2), Daxin Peterson (2), Wyatt LaCoste, Austin Woodley, Rowan Calvert, Liam Fitzpatrick, Jake Briltz, Aiden Yanko
Goalies: Cody Wilson, Tisdale, 14 saves on 18 shots; Brady Kashuba, Tisdale, 18 on 26; Ethan Fechter, Moose Jaw, 23 on 26
Notes: Moose Jaw led 4-1 and 10-1 at the intermissions. Tisdale scored the first two goals of the third period. “In the third period, the boys showed some heart and compete,” head coach Dennis Kubat said. “We are learning what it takes to win in this league. You have to compete for 60 and take no shifts off.” Healey, Madden Wallis, and Matthew Van Blaircom each had two points. Healey was named the away star.
This Week
The 1-5 Tisdale Trojans host the Estevan Bears for a pair of games this weekend. The teams play at the Tisdale RECplex on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. Earlier this season, in the first regular season meeting ever between the teams, the squads split a two-game series in Estevan.
