TISDALE — Thanks in part to a glass half full approach, Tisdale Trojans rookie Madden Wallis has quickly established himself as one of the team’s leaders.
Earlier this season the Saskatchewan Male U18AAA Hockey League team named the 16-year-old from Shaunavon as part of its leadership group. Wallis serves as an assistant captain along with Ashtyn Shields, Parker Dunn and Cole Barry.
“Madden is one of the most positive guys I know,” Trojans head coach Dennis Kubat said. “He is such a good leader, as he always leads by example on and off the ice.”
When asked about how he helps lead the Trojans, Wallis said:
“I like to be positive in the dressing room and on the ice and just keep everyone up and push them as much as I can.”
Wallis has also established himself as an important player for the Trojans. As of Sunday, the forward was tied with Pavel McKenzie for second on the team in scoring with 14 points. What has allowed him to put up points this season?
“I believe that hard work will always be rewarded so I really just try to do my part and make the best plays I can, and it seems to work well,” Wallis said.
A 6-foot, 190-pounder, Wallis had three goals and 11 assists. He has had four multipoint games so far this season.
“His skills continue to improve, as he is starting to make plays with the puck,” Kubat said. “He uses his size to his advantage.”
Wallis has enjoyed various aspects so far about playing for the Trojans.
“I have enjoyed all the guys,” he said. “I get along with all of them really well. Then just being able to skate everyday and I also really appreciate how much people do for the Trojans.”
In his first U15 season, Wallis helped the Eastend Jets win a Bantam C provincial title. The Jets topped Carrot River in the finals. The next season he headed to Swift Current to play U15 AA. Wallis also played U18 AAA in that same city last season. In late November, the Trojans were in Swift Current for back-to-back games with the SMAAAHL’s Legionnaires.
“I enjoyed being back playing in Swift Current,” Wallis said. “I got to see a lot of my family and even got to play against some of my former teammates.”
Wallis is enjoying life in Tisdale. He said he has “amazing billets” in Robin and Rikki-Lynn Shellito and their daughter Norah and son Parker.
Leadership
Wallis is a young leader on a young team. Barry is the only player wearing a letter who is 17 and in his final U18 campaign. As well, Barry and goaltender Cody Wilson, who Kubat said is a huge leader for the team, are the only 17-year-olds on the roster.
“It means quite a bit being able to be an assistant captain for the Trojans because it’s such a great organization with a good history,” Barry said. “With being an assistant captain as well as an older guy on the team, it helps me to be able to use my experience to help the younger guys on and off the ice. It forces me to be my best every day and to help make sure the team is ready to perform at our best.”
The Trojans last week
Friday, Dec. 3 in Tisdale
Tisdale 5, Yorkton 3
Trojans Scorers: Ashtyn Shields (2), Finley Radloff, Carter Ralston, Owen Myhre
Maulers Scorers: Tyson Herron, Cade Kennedy, Vinay Junek
Goalies: Cody Wilson, Tisdale, 39 saves on 42 shots; Frank Chaboyer, Yorkton, 26 on 31
Notes: With the win, the Trojans snapped a 16-game losing streak. “Winning is always fun,” Tisdale head coach Dennis Kubat said. “It was nice to play with a lead for once. We really needed a victory. I was just happy for the boys. We ask a lot from them and it was nice to see a positive result.” The Trojans led 1-0 after the first period and outscored Yorkton, 3-1, in the second to hold a 4-1 lead. Tisdale was 2-for-5 on the powerplay while Yorkton was 1-for-3. Wilson was the home star.
Sunday, Dec. 5 in Saskatoon
Saskatoon Blazers 5, Tisdale 0
Blazers Scorers: Hudson Malinoski (2), Tyler Phipps, Bronson Babyak, Josh Zakreski
Goalies: Brady Kashuba, Tisdale, 38 saves on 43 shots; Eric Kahl, Saskatoon, 15 on 15
Notes: The Blazers scored twice in the first, added two more in the second, and capped the game with one in the third. Carter Ralston was the away star. “At times, we did a lot of good things today,” head coach Dennis Kubat said. “We had a few shifts where we had offensive zone time, made some good first passes, but we still continue to make mistakes in important times, which ends up with the puck in the back of the net.” Kubat praised Kashuba for his strong play. The Blazers were 1-for-5 on the powerplay. Tisdale was 0-for-1. Archerwill’s Wyatt Wilson, a defenceman, was called up from the North East U18 AA team.
Notes
Simon Mart was the Markwart Jewellers Tisdale Trojans Player of the Month for November. He led Tisdale defencemen in points, quarterbacked the powerplay, and was praised for his leadership. … Before the game against the Maulers, members of the Prince Albert Grand Council and Cumberland House Cree Nation took part in a ceremony. The national anthem was performed in Cree by Colleen Maccoll-Buck. Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte and Chief Rene Chaboyer gave opening statements. There was an Honour Song performance by the Iron Swing drum group.
This Week
The Tisdale Trojans (2-17-0-2) were slated to play the Saskatoon Contacts (11-6-0-3) on the road Tuesday after the Recorder’s deadline. The Trojans host the Notre Dame Hounds (16-6-0-1) on Saturday and the Warman Wildcats (19-4-0-1) on Sunday. Warman has the league’s best record, while the Hounds are third.
