Tynan back to work
Tucker Tynan returned to the Meridian Centre Tuesday for the first time since suffering a serious season-ending injury on Dec. 12, 2019, but the 19-year-old netminder was more interested in the future than looking back at the past.
“You have to move on. It’s not the end of the world, fortunately, and you just keep going,” Tucker said, before hitting the ice as the Niagara IceDogs officially opened training camp. “It’s in the past.”
Tynan suffered a torn quad muscle in his right leg when cut by the skate blade of London’s Knights forward Hunter Skinner, who slid into the goalie early in the second period. Tynan lost a tremendous amount of blood and underwent surgery that night. Highlights of the gruesome injury made the rounds for days.
“It’s been a crazy two years,” he said. “This is the first time I’ve been back. It’s been a while.”
Tynan worked hard to rehabilitate his leg and in February signed with the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League where he practiced, but did not see any game action.
“It was a great learning experience and stepping stone to see what the next level entails,” he said. “I definitely think it’s a huge thing and nice to see I can hold my ground with guys at that level.”
The Chicago native also skated with some members of the Chicago Blackhawks this summer.
“It was definitely good to see that I could compete at that level consistently,” he said.
Tynan, who arrived in Niagara earlier this week after making the seven-hour drive from his home, would seem to be the odds-on favourite to be the IceDogs No. 1 netminder this season.
“I have to start at the beginning and see how it goes. I have to be a hard worker and get back into the system of doing it every day,” he said.
Niagara coach Billy Burke understandably wasn’t quite ready to anoint Tucker as his starter on the first day of camp.
“It’s hard to say. In a perfect world of course that would be the plan. We don’t want to put any external pressure on Tucker. We certainly believe in him and how hard he’s worked to get back to where he’s at and there will be no rush,” Burke said. “We know what kind of goalie he is and what his ceiling is. We’re going to take some baby steps at first, see how he is, and then go from there.”
Almost overshadowed in the aftermath of the injury was how well Tucker played in his rookie campaign where he recorded 11 wins, eight losses and four overtime or shootout losses. He had a .910 save percentage and a 3.80 goals-against average.
“If it wasn’t for him, the start of that season could have been a real disaster for us,” Burke said. “He really stabilized it for us early. It’s obvious to look at trading Akil (Thomas) and (Phil) Tomasino, but losing Tucker Tynan was probably the biggest hit to our team for the second half.”
The IceDogs have eight goaltenders in camp and Burke said it’s conceivable they could being the season with three.
“We aren’t really sure yet,” he said. “We’re going to let the players decide. We’re certainly open to three. The goalies look good. It’s probably the deepest goalie camp I can ever remember so there will be some serious competition for the goaltending spots.”
Other goalies in camp are Joey Costanzo, who was selected in the second round of the 2021 OHL draft; Over-ager Andrew MacLean; holdover Josh Rosenzweig; Boe Piroski, who was selected in the 2021 U18 draft; Jacob Osborne, selected in the 2020 U18 draft; Keegan Jackson, a 17-year-old from Jarvis, and, Matteo Porporino, a 15-year-old selected in the 14th round of the 2021 draft.
Costanza would seem to have a spot waiting for him.
“I think Joey Costanza is an elite goalie,” Burke said. “I think he should be here. I think he deserves to be here.
“While it can be challenging for any young player, his talent and his work ethic is very intriguing and a guy I can certainly see playing on this team and winning games for us this year.”
Camp continues Wednesday.
Wednesday, Sept. 1
Doors open 30 minutes in advance, entry through Meridian Centre box office entrance only.
•9 a.m. Black vs Grey
•10:45 am. White vs Red
•3 p.m. Black vs Red
•5:15 p.m. White vs Grey
Thursday, Sept. 2
Doors Open at 6 p.m. entry through Meridian Centre Box Office and Rankin Bridge only.
•7 p.m. Red vs White
Visit this link for all COVID questions and protocols: https://www.meridiancentre.com/events/2020/covid-19-update
Screening is required to enter the building. Please fill out the form below https://survey.alchemer-ca.com/s3/50087123/PatronScreeningSTC (no more than 24 hours prior to entry). There will also be QR codes at the points of entry for screening. You will be required to show the “green checkmark” once screening is completed to enter the building.
Ice cubes: Dylan Roobroeck, Cameron Snow, Isaac Enright and Jax Wismer are officially listed on the injured reserved list. “It’s more precautionary, nothing serious,” Burke said. “A couple of the guys got their second vaccination 10 days and 13 days ago so that’s what guys are being held out. They need that 14 days.”
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