TISDALE — As a 15-year-old rookie, Matthew Van Blaricom has proven he can produce offensively for the Tisdale Trojans.
As of Sunday, the forward led the team in scoring. While the Southey product has definitely impressed so far this season, the Trojans staff feel the best is yet to come.
“He is a very competitive person,” Tisdale head coach Dennis Kubat said. “He wants to be a player. Matt has the ability to be a top end player in this league. He has a very bright future.”
Over the course of his first three Saskatchewan Male U18 AAA Hockey League contests this season, Van Blaricom lit the lamp twice. As of Sunday, the 5-foot-9, 145-pounder had 22 points in 25 contests. With nine goals, he is second on the team in that category to Pavel McKenzie, who has 12. Van Blaricom’s 13 assists ranks him just behind Madden Wallis, with 14, on the Trojans.
“Matthew has a very high offensive upside,” Kubat said. “He can use his teammates to create plays, and also has the skills to allow himself to create high danger chances on his own.”
Van Blaricom has had five multipoint games this season. On Oct. 30, against Notre Dame, Van Blaricom scored twice and recorded two assists. With his quartet of points, he factored into four of Tisdale’s seven goals in an 8-7 overtime loss to one of the league’s top teams. On Dec. 18, he had two goals and an assist in a 7-0 romp versus Yorkton.
When asked about his offensive production this season, Van Blaricom said, “I have been able to put up points because I have been in the right position to find the back of the net.”
Before joining the Trojans, he played for the Balgonie-based U15 AA Prairie Storm. In last season’s COVID-19 shortened season, Van Blaricom scored four goals and posted seven points in four games.
“The biggest transition from U15 to U18 has been the speed of the playmaking,” he said. “It is a lot quicker of a game. The time and space you have on the ice is limited - making it hard to make plays and chances.”
Van Blaricom has been enjoying life with the Trojans. He billets with Sherri and Rick Ellis.
“I enjoy being able to come to the rink and be in a good team atmosphere,” Van Blaricom said.
The Trojans last week
Trojans Postponed
Due to COVID-19 protocols, the Tisdale Trojans’ games last weekend against Notre Dame and Moose Jaw were postponed. They were among the 11 contests out of 13 that were postponed in the Saskatchewan Male U18 AAA Hockey League last week. The 3-22-2 Trojans are focused on following the protocols and getting healthy to hopefully start the 2022 portion of its season this weekend.
“I really like the way we were playing before [the Christmas] break,” Tisdale head coach Dennis Kubat said. “It was unfortunate we couldn’t play this weekend and get rolling. Hopefully, we can play next weekend and build off the success we were having in the last four or five games before the Christmas break.”
This season’s Tisdale squad has only two players back from 2020-21. Kubat has praised the young team for its development. Regarding the next couple months, he said:
“Just looking forward to see where we match up in the second half. See how much of our development can help from the first and carry over into the second.”
Sask First Selections
Five Tisdale Trojans affiliated players have been named to the top 80 2007-born platers for the Sask First Male Under-15 program. The group includes Brady Holtvogt, Humboldt, goalie; Kayd Ruedig, Humboldt, defence; Lucas Hvidston, Tisdale, forward; Jaxon Kehrig, Tisdale, forward; and Ryder Mucha, Creighton, forward.
This Week
The Tisdale Trojans are slated to play the league-leading Warman Wildcats (22-5-1) on Friday.
“It’s always nice playing the top teams to see where you’re at. … We’ve played them pretty close in the last couple games,” Trojans head coach Dennis Kubat said.
The Trojans host the Prince Albert Mintos (16-11-0-1) on Sunday. On Jan. 19, the Tisdale team is in Prince Albert.
“They’re always a good, hardworking team,” Kubat said.
