TISDALE — Brady Kashuba and Trey Penrod may play different positions, but both rookies are contributing and developing for the Tisdale Trojans.
The 16-year-old Kashuba, who hails from Preeceville, defends the nets for the Trojans. Meanwhile, Saskatoon’s Penrod, who celebrated his 16th birthday last week, plays forward for the Saskatchewan Male U18 AAA Hockey League team.
“Brady and Trey are great kids,” Tisdale head coach Dennis Kubat said. “Both have grown up a lot this year on and off the ice. “I am hoping for big improvement in the second half of the season.”
Brady Kashuba
This season Kashuba has a 5.97 goals against average and a .858 save percentage.
“I really enjoy the challenges of being a goalie and having a lot of pressure on me to be my best all the time,” he said.
After playing for the U15 AA Humboldt Broncos, Kashuba spent last season with the U18 AA Yorkton Terriers. When asked about his U18 AAA experience so far with the Trojans, he said:
“I have really enjoyed the faster paced hockey and the just all-around skill in this league. It’s was a pretty big jump for me, but it’s super fun.”
Kashuba is billeting with teammates Luc Bourdon and Pavel McKenzie at Pat Bladen’s home.
“She has billeted for many years and treats me and my billet brothers amazing,” he said. “I couldn’t ask for any better of a billet.”
This winter Kashuba has had the opportunity to serve as an affiliated player for several games for the Melfort Mustangs. As the team’s backup goaltender, he has had a great vantage point to learn about the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League team.
“It’s just been cool being up at that level as a 16-year-old and it opens my eyes to what the next level will be like,” Kashuba said. “It makes me almost motivated, in a way, to work even harder to get up into that next level.”
Trey Penrod
In his first U15 season, Penrod played in the A ranks for the Bobcat/Aces Saints. He was an affiliated player that year with the AA Saskatoon Generals and competed in the playoffs with them until the COVID-19 pandemic cut things short. Last season Penrod cracked the roster of U15 AA Saskatoon Outlaws but only played two games due to the pandemic.
“I didn’t get much of the U15 AA experience but jumping from not making it your first year to going to play AAA as a first year is a big step,” he said.
With the Trojans this season, Penrod has a goal and five assists in 29 games. He has appreciated being able to play U18 AAA.
“The game is way more competitive and professional, but I’m extremely grateful the Trojans signed me,” Penrod said. “I’ve learned a lot this year compared to my AA years.”
Penrod and teammate Finley Radloff live with Connie and Kevin Wutke. He said, “I have some of the best billets out there. I'm very happy with the billets I got.”
It is one of several aspects he has liked about playing in Tisdale.
“There has been many things I have enjoyed being with the Trojans this year,” Penrod said. “One of the most exciting things is game days at home with the community and all the fans that have continued to come and support us despite the year we’ve had. I enjoy being around all the kids at school and coming to the rink every morning for practice.”
The Trojans last week
Saturday, Jan 29 in Tisdale
Moose Jaw 6, Tisdale 1
Trojans Scorer: Pavel McKenzie
Generals Scorers: Blake Betson (2), Daxin Peterson, Rowan Calvert, Connor Miller, Liam Fitzpatrick
Connor Miller, Liam Fitzpatrick,
Goalies: Brady Kashuba, Tisdale, 18 saves on 22 shots; Ryden Gagne, Tisdale, 15 on 17; Ryan Bain, Moose Jaw, 29 on 30
Notes: After a 1-1 first period, Moose Jaw scored three goals in the second to take a 4-1 lead. When asked about the team’s strong start. Tisdale head coach Dennis Kubat said, “I really liked our whole game to be honest on Saturday. … I think that might have been the least amount of scoring chances we've given up in a game. We had a couple unfortunate breaks … I didn’t like the outcome of the game, but I think there were a lot of positives.” When Kashuba left the game with an injury, Gagne – who usually runs the penalty box at home games – stepped into net for the third. He plays for the local Tisdale house team. “The boys played well,” Kubat said. “They really rallied around him. He had a great period.”
Sunday, Jan 30 in Tisdale
Moose Jaw 8, Tisdale 6
Trojans Scorers: Matthew Van Blaricom (2), Pavel McKenzie (2), Finley Radloff, Carter Ralston
Generals Scorers: Rowan Calvert (6), Blake Betson, Daxin Peterson
Goalies: Dominic Smith, Tisdale, 41 saves on 49 shots; Ryan Bain, Moose Jaw, 30 on 36
Notes: Tisdale led 3-2 and 5-3 at the intermissions. “I thought that might have been a couple of our better periods we played all season. … I’d say O-zone time was pretty even between the two teams. Our line rushes were really good. … I was really happy with a lot of the parts of our game,” Trojans head coach Dennis Kubat said. Calvert scored four unanswered goals to start the third period. The Trojans got one goal back, but Calvert scored again to cap the scoring. Nipawin’s Smith was called up from the U18 AA North East squad to play for the Trojans. Tisdale held a skate with the Trojans after the game. “I enjoyed seeing all the kids come out and support us even though we haven’t had the best season,” Trojans forward Kale Margolis said. “It’s also nice to see all the guys having fun with the kids that come out. Everyone’s in a good mood and having a fun time.”
This Week
The Tisdale Trojans (3-27-2) have a packed week. They were to host the Saskatoon Contacts (19-9-6) on Tuesday after the Recorder deadline. On Thursday the Trojans travelled to play the Saskatoon Blazers (25-7-1). The Battlefords Stars (11-19-4) visit on Saturday and Sunday. “It’ll be four good games,” Tisdale head coach Dennis Kubat said.
