TISDALE — The town of Tisdale was crucial in bringing the talents of Unity’s Carter Ralston to its Saskatchewan Male U18 AAA Hockey League team.
“The main thing that drew me to choose here was the small-town atmosphere,” the Tisdale Trojans forward said. “It’s pretty much just like home except with a Dairy Queen. Also, the organization of the Trojans is awesome.”
The Trojans are certainly happy Ralston chose them. As of Sunday, the 6-foot, 160-pounder was fourth on the team in scoring. He had three goals and seven points in 14 games. He started the season by scoring in his first two games with the Trojans. So far, Ralston has two multipoint games this season.
“Carter has the ability to be a pure goal scorer in the league,” Tisdale head coach Dennis Kubat said. “Carter is able to protect the puck very well. He’s learning how to find open ice to create high-level chances for himself.”
While he has already established himself as a contributor, the Trojans believe the best is yet to come for the young rookie.
“Carter’s offensive upside is very high,” Kubat said. “I am excited to see his continued development. If he continues to put in the time and practice, the results will come. Carter is only 15 and has all the tools to be a heck of a player.”
Ralston has liked the set-up the Trojans have in Tisdale.
“I have enjoyed how the rink is so close to the school and how we have the lounge area upstairs that all the boys can go hangout in at lunch or whenever we want,” he said.
Ralston joined the Trojans from the U15 AA ranks. He recorded 28 points in 28 games in 2019-20 for the West Central Wheat Kings. In six games last season before the COVID-19 pandemic brought things to a halt, Ralston tallied nine points for that team. What is the biggest difference between U15 AA and U18 AAA?
“The pace and speed of the game,” Ralston said. “You can’t take a game off or you will get outplayed the whole game.”
While helping the Trojans on the ice, Ralston has fit in off it. He billets with Chris and Stephanie Garland and their children Easton and Paisley. Kubat described Ralston as a “great kid” and noted his personality is starting to show.
The Trojans last week
Saturday, Nov. 13 in Wilcox
Notre Dame 8, Tisdale 0
Hounds Scorers: Andrew Altwasser (2), Antoine Lavigne (2), Keagan Merriman (2), Kaden McLean, Vincent Palmarin,
Goalies: Cody Wilson, Tisdale, 40 saves on 48 shots; Joey Rocha, Notre Dame, 12 on 12
Notes: The Hounds scored five first period goals. They added a goal in the second and two in the third. Tisdale was 0-for-3 on the powerplay, while Notre Dame was 1-for-4.
Sunday, Nov. 14 in Regina
Regina 3, Tisdale 1
Trojans Scorer: Matty Healey
Pat Canadians Scorers: Ben Riche (2), Harper Lolacher
Goalies: Brady Kashuba, Tisdale, 40 saves on 42 shots; Ewan Soutar, Regina, 13 on 14
Notes: Of his netminder, Trojans head coach Dennis Kubat said, “Brady had his best game of his season. The guy had not played for two weeks and competed his ass off. It is too bad we could not give him the win.” Riche scored in the first period and got a powerplay goal in the second. In the third, Healey lit the lamp to pull the Trojans to within one, 2-1. Lolacher, a former Trojan, capped the game with an empty net goal.
Last Weekend
The Trojans’ southern road trip last weekend pitted the squad against the Saskatchewan Male U18 AAA League-leading Regina Pat Canadians and the third-place Noter Dame Hounds.
“At the end of the day, we had way too many passengers this weekend, U18AAA is a hard league, and you need to compete to be successful,” head coach Dennis Kubat said. “It is very unfortunate that we are 14 games in and need to still talk about competing. We lost every battle this weekend.”
This Week
The Tisdale Trojans (1-12-0-1) welcome the Saskatoon Blazers (9-2-0-0) to the Tisdale RECplex on the weekend. The teams clash Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. The Trojans travel to Yorkton (2-15-0-2) on Nov. 23.
