TISDALE — Rookie defencemen Turner Krahn and Zach Reeder have overcome injuries this season to contribute to the Tisdale Trojans.
Saskatoon’s Krahn was out of Saskatchewan Male U18 AAA Hockey League action from Oct. 24 to Jan. 15. Reeder, who hails from Regina, has missed time with two different injuries this campaign.
“I am very excited to be back playing after being out for a long time,” Krahn said. “I stayed motivated by having the support of my teammates and wanting to develop to be a better player.”
Tisdale head coach Dennis Kubat said both players are “great kids with great families.” They are pleased to have roles on the Trojans’ blue line this season.
“What I enjoy most about being a defenceman is just the way you get to control the game and the pace of the game,” Reeder said. “I think that’s what I really enjoy the most because you have an important job in both zones, so I love that.”
Zach Reeder
Reeder played for the U18 AA Regina Rangers last season in a campaign shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic. This season he has four assists through 28 games played. Kubat said that Reeder is “continuing to improve on both sides of the puck.”
“The thing I enjoy most about the playing with the Trojans is just the opportunity I was given to play great hockey for a really good organization and make new relationships with the team and the coaches,” Reeder said.
The 16-year-old Reeder billets in Sylvania. He said it is awesome living with Rick and Sherry Ellis because “they are such great people, super friendly. They are great billets.”
Turner Krahn
Krahn, 15, had an assist through 17 games this season. Kubat said the blue liner is “really good in the D-zone, has above average skating, has untapped offensive upside. He has had a hard year with injuries, but I expect big things from him. Has a chance to be a great two-way defenceman.”
In a season shortened by the pandemic, Krahn played four games in 2020-21 for the U15 AA Saskatoon Stallions. He suited up for the U15 AA Saskatoon Generals in the season before that.
In Tisdale, Krahn enjoys billeting with Jason and Bailey Danderfer and their sons Owen, David and Parker. Of his time so far with the Trojans, Krahn said, “I have enjoyed getting to know all my teammates and being able to skate almost every day.”
The Trojans last week
Friday, Feb. 19 in Warman
Warman 11, Tisdale 0
Wildcats Scorers: Jaydon Jessiman (2), Mason Bueckert (2), Connor Gabriel (2), Carson Dyck, Rhett Dekowny, Nic Fiolleau, Gavin Sawatzky, Jeter Korte
Goalies: Cody Wilson, Tisdale, 21 saves on 29 shots; Brady Kashuba, Tisdale, 11 on 14; Alex Worthington, Warman, 11 on 11
Notes: Warman was 4-for-7 on the powerplay. Tisdale was 0-for-3. Warman led 3-0 and 8-0 at the intermissions. The Wildcats sat second, as of Sunday, in the Saskatchewan Male U18 AAA Hockey League. “The top teams in our league, they’re there for a reason and they’re where we eventually want to get one day. We got a long way to go, but it’s good for the boys to play against those kind of teams … to see exactly where they got to go,” Tisdale head coach Dennis Kubat said.
This Week
The Tisdale Trojans (5-33-2, as of Sunday) wrap up their season this week. The team was to play in Moose Jaw on Monday and Tuesday in Wilcox against the Notre Dame Hounds, after the Recorder’s deadline. On Saturday and Sunday, the Trojans are on the road against the Battlefords Stars.
