TISDALE — After getting a taste of the Saskatchewan Male U18 AAA Hockey League in a 2020-21 season shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, Cody Wilson is thrilled to be back with the Tisdale Trojans.
“Absolutely ecstatic,” the Archerwill product said about returning to the ice with his team. “I love the program. I love the guys. I love the coaches. I just love the room and the rink. I love everything about it. … It was certainly a unique season, us getting cut off. I’m just super excited to be back and on the ice.”
Although the goaltender was only able to play two games last season, he has already established himself as a key player and leader for the Trojans this campaign. The 5-foot-11, 155 netminder made 35 saves on Saturday to backstop Tisdale to a 4-2 victory over Estevan – the Trojans’ first win of the season. In three appearances this season, Wilson has a 2.36 goal against average and a .938 save percentage. In addition to stopping pucks, Wilson is a vocal leader for the Trojans.
“He is not afraid to say what’s going on,” Tisdale head coach Dennis Kubat said. “The best thing about him is whatever he says, he backs it up. He backs it up in practice with his work ethic and he backs it up in the games by giving our guys a chance to win. He’s just a great kid. …
“He’s what we want our culture to be. He stands for everything we want in a Tisdale Trojan.”
Even though the Trojans were limited in the number of games they were able to play last season, Wilson said the campaign was a huge help to him – just being in the program and adjusting to the lifestyle. As well, he was pleased to be able to pick the brain of veteran goalie Hunter Lolacher. Wilson said the months of practicing with the team helped him.
“Just the skillset even in our practices is a lot higher calibre. It really helped that foundation I’m going off this year.”
A couple members of the Tisdale coaching staff are very familiar with Wilson. Kubat coached him on the U15 AA North East Wolfpack, with whom Wilson played two seasons before spending a campaign with the U18 AA North East program. As well, Trojans goaltending coach Ashley Kuechle has worked with him pretty much since he strapped on the pads.
“She has really seen me grow and develop as a goalie since day one. …. She’s very down to earth and she does such a good job of explaining,” Wilson said. “She pays really good attention to detail. It could be the smallest thing ever, but she will tell you about it and we’ll work to fix it.”
Kuechle described Wilson as an “enthusiastic learner and dedicated self developer. He’s not afraid to ask questions to better his understanding of the game and direct his efforts.” As well, the goaltending coach said the netminder is “Hard working and disciplined - brings a high level of compete to every ice time - yet clearly enjoys it all.”
Kubat has witnessed Wilson’s progress in many areas over the years.
“His development from first year bantam (U15) to Grade 12 midget (U18) has been unreal,” the head coach said. “It is all on him and his work ethic and just trusting the process. It’s crazy that when you put in the time and work and want to get better, the results will come. He’s a perfect example of that. It’s been night and day how far he has come as a person and as a player.”
Wilson is excited to play his final U18 season with the Trojans in Tisdale.
“Obviously the small-town environment is what I’ve grown up in, but I love how close knit everyone is. You know everyone in school. You know everyone in the hallway … All the billets hang out together. … I love the small-town environment. You don’t get that anywhere else. I absolutely love it.”
The Trojans this week
Saturday, Oct. 2 in Estevan
Tisdale 4, Estevan 2
Trojans Scorers: Parker Dunn, Matty Healey, Madden Wallis, Matthew Van Blaircom
Bears Scorers: Tucker Buhay, Cade Cole
Goalies: Cody Wilson, Tisdale, 35 saves on 37 shots; Jackson Miller, Estevan, 18 on 22
Notes: It was the Trojans’ first win of the season. “The boys started to compete and make plays and gain confidence in their game,” Tisdale head coach Dennis Kubat said. “We are continuing to see results when we stick to the plan and make plays.” The home team got out to a 2-0 first period lead. Wilson and the Trojans shut the Bears down the rest of the way. Tisdale scored twice in the second frame and two in the third, including an empty net goal. Trojan Finley Radloff had two assists. Blaircom had two points in his first game of the season. He was named the away star.
Sunday, Oct. 3 in Estevan
Estevan 7, Tisdale 1
Trojans Scorer: Luc Bourdon
Bears Scorers: Daniel Ganert (2), Marshall Light, Caden Drury, Kole Keen, Ayden Lamarre, Tristan Grohs
Goalies: Brady Kashuba, Tisdale, 38 saves on 45 shots; Kaden Perron, Estevan, 25 on 26
Notes: Estevan led 3-0 at the first intermission and 6-1 at the second. Matty Healey was the away star. “It is all about the process, each and every game,” Tisdale head coach Dennis Kubat said. “Everything is so outcome based, we are a team that has to realize it is going to be a process and as long as we continue to do things that make our team successful, the results will come. We played better today and then we did yesterday. We made more plays.”
This Week
The 1-3 Trojans are on the road Saturday to play the Regina Pat Canadians. The next home game for Tisdale is Oct. 23 versus Estevan.
