Ty looking for wins in Pelham
Ty Boone has made an immediate impact with the Pelham Panthers.
The 18-year-old forward joined the Panthers just after the start of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League season and has provided the team with a little bit of everything.
“He’s a great young man, one of the hardest working players that we’ve had in years,” Panthers owner/general manager Tim Toffolo said. “Great attitude and he’s relentless.”
Boone has a goal and four points in nine games in green and white and also brings an element of grit.
“When I’m playing well I’m the most physical guy on the ice and I’m probably the fastest guy on the ice,” he said.
Boone grew up in Indiana but has significant roots in Southern Ontario.
His father, Ken Boone, is a Hamilton native who played two seasons with Kingston of the Ontario Hockey League in 1993 and 1994 and also at the pro level in the ECHL, Central Hockey League and United Hockey League.
Ty Boone said his father plays a big part in his career.
“It’s an advantage unless you play bad, then it’s a disadvantage,” he quipped when asked what it’s like to have father who played at the OHL and pro level. “We just did film last night and it helps.
“He’s always helped out some way, either as an assistant coach or helping out at practice.”
Ty Boone played at the AAA level in Indiana before heading north last season where he played in four games for the Caledonia Corvairs before breaking his wrist when he was checked from behind.
“It was rough, it was a hard time,” he conceded.
Ty Boone returned home to Indiana to convalesce and was able to return to action at the AAA level before hooking on with the Shreveport Mudbugs of the North American Hockey League as an associated player.
He said the experience was a worthwhile endeavour and somewhat mirrors what is going on with the Panthers.
“Shreveport lost every game the first three months of the season and ended up coming back and making the playoffs and almost going all the way,” he said. “It’s figuring out your rhythm at practice and how hard you’re going to work.”
The Panthers are off to a rough start with just one win and three points in their first 11 games. They are currently on a seven-game losing streak but Ty Boone remains hopeful things will turn around.
“Playing with Pelham has been a blast so far,” he said. “The guys are a good group. We just need to work hard in practice and work hard in games and we’ll eventually figure it out.”
He isn’t sure exactly where his hockey career will take him at this point.
“I want to continue to play hockey as far as I can go,” he said. “The goal for the moment is to start winning here and see how far we can get in the playoffs.”
The Panthers have a busy weekend with a rare home game Friday at 7:45 p.m. versus Welland followed by a road game in Fort Erie Saturday before returning home Sunday afternoon to face the St. Catharines Falcons.
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