For Winnipegger Ty Naaykens, the best thing that could have possibly happened, at least for the benefit of his hockey future, was a trade to Steinbach.
For those who might have forgotten, Naaykens was involved in what have been the biggest trade in Manitoba Junior Hockey League history when, last fall, he and forward Codey Behun, defenseman Dylan Cassie and future considerations were sent to the Winnipeg Blues in exchange for the MJHL rights to prospects F Logan Danis, F Brayden Clark, D Carter Bateman, D Connor Tyhy, D Austen McIvor, F Aeden Loschiavo, D Tayem Gislason and yes, good old-fashioned future considerations.
It was a trade of veteran immediate help for the Pistons and some potential big-time players in future years for the Blues, but it also changed Naaykens life in a number of ways.
“I loved it in Steinbach,” said Naaykens who admits he can’t wait to get back. “It was the best move for me. We had a great season and it was disappointing how it ended, but I learned a lot and it was still a great experience for me. It was also good for me to live away from home. I had a great billet family and everything about the move was right for me.”
It was also important for Naaykens’ hockey future. His goal is to play NCAA Division 1 hockey and by playing for Pistons head coach Paul Dyck who has “all the contacts,” according to Naaykens, it’s quite likely his dream will come true.
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Ty Naaykens had a big offensive season (Photo by Scott Stroh)[/caption]
“First of all, Paul is a player’s coach. He makes everyone better and he’s always about his players first,” said Naaykens. “But when it comes to US college hockey, he has all the contacts and has really helped me. Paul is the man. He knows everybody and he helps me a lot with all this recruiting stuff. I’ve talked to quite a few schools, all American Div. 1, and that’s where Paul comes in. He really helps with this stuff because he wants us all to have a life after hockey.”
He’s also helped make Naaykens a better player. After delivering 15 goals and 40 points in 55 games with the Blues in 2018-19, Naaykens had 23 goals and 55 points in 58 games in Steinbach this past season. The former Winnipeg Bruins Midget Triple A star (26 goals, 57 points in 38 games in 2017-18), got the chance to play plenty of minutes on a very interesting team this past season.
The Pistons finished first overall with a record of 42-10-5-3, but they didn’t have one player in the Top 10 in scoring. Kyle Bettens, one of Naaykens’ linemates who will be off to Bemidji State University as soon as the NCAA resumes playing sports, finished 15thin scoring with 18 goals and 56 points in 49 games while Naaykens was 17thoverall.
“I got lots opportunity to play,” said Naaykens. “I started the season playing on a line with (Carter) Loney (Minnesota-Duluth commit) and we’d pick up a winger here and there and then in the second half I played with Kyle Bettens and, again, we’d pick up different wingers. It was great for me. It was a really fun season.”
Although the season was fun, it ended for Naaykens as it did for so many others this year, with the call from Hockey Canada that shut everything down. And it came only a day after the Pistons eliminated the Blues in four straight games in the opening round of the post-season.
These days, Naaykens is also like everybody else, just digging deep to find things to fill the days.
“It’s sure different,” he said. “I’m been working hard to find things to do. I’ve been getting out to do a lot of running by myself just to keep up with my cardio and I’m watching a lot of Netflix. A lot of Netflix and a lot of video games.
“The hardest part, though, isn’t filling the day,” he added. “It’s just not knowing what’s going to happen and when it will be over.”
Ty Naaykens had a big offensive season (Photo by Scott Stroh)[/caption]
“First of all, Paul is a player’s coach. He makes everyone better and he’s always about his players first,” said Naaykens. “But when it comes to US college hockey, he has all the contacts and has really helped me. Paul is the man. He knows everybody and he helps me a lot with all this recruiting stuff. I’ve talked to quite a few schools, all American Div. 1, and that’s where Paul comes in. He really helps with this stuff because he wants us all to have a life after hockey.”
He’s also helped make Naaykens a better player. After delivering 15 goals and 40 points in 55 games with the Blues in 2018-19, Naaykens had 23 goals and 55 points in 58 games in Steinbach this past season. The former Winnipeg Bruins Midget Triple A star (26 goals, 57 points in 38 games in 2017-18), got the chance to play plenty of minutes on a very interesting team this past season.
The Pistons finished first overall with a record of 42-10-5-3, but they didn’t have one player in the Top 10 in scoring. Kyle Bettens, one of Naaykens’ linemates who will be off to Bemidji State University as soon as the NCAA resumes playing sports, finished 15thin scoring with 18 goals and 56 points in 49 games while Naaykens was 17thoverall.
“I got lots opportunity to play,” said Naaykens. “I started the season playing on a line with (Carter) Loney (Minnesota-Duluth commit) and we’d pick up a winger here and there and then in the second half I played with Kyle Bettens and, again, we’d pick up different wingers. It was great for me. It was a really fun season.”
Although the season was fun, it ended for Naaykens as it did for so many others this year, with the call from Hockey Canada that shut everything down. And it came only a day after the Pistons eliminated the Blues in four straight games in the opening round of the post-season.
These days, Naaykens is also like everybody else, just digging deep to find things to fill the days.
“It’s sure different,” he said. “I’m been working hard to find things to do. I’ve been getting out to do a lot of running by myself just to keep up with my cardio and I’m watching a lot of Netflix. A lot of Netflix and a lot of video games.
“The hardest part, though, isn’t filling the day,” he added. “It’s just not knowing what’s going to happen and when it will be over.”
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