Although he is now playing junior hockey with the Yorkton Terriers, Carter Lake definitely earned an assist for this year鈥檚 Tisdale Trojans team with his help in recruiting Colby Vranai.
Last season as a 17-year-old rookie Lake played in Tisdale. The Yorkton product raved about his experience to his hometown buddy.
鈥淗e said that he had the best time of his life and that Darrell Mann was an unreal coach,鈥� Vranai said.
Those words certainly echoed in Vranai鈥檚 head when Mann successfully recruited him. The 17-year-old forward has been an important addition to the Trojans.
鈥淗e is a guy we recruited hard in the offseason,鈥� Mann said. 鈥淗e is a centreman who is a tireless worker.鈥�
The 6-foot, 170-pounder has a goal and nine points in 17 games this season. Mann said that Vranai has an offensive upside. The veteran bench boss expects Vranai to score more in the second half of the season.
The work that Vranai does when the Trojans do not have the puck is also extremely valuable.
鈥淗e is always first on the forecheck and first on the backcheck... When he is on the ice, there are turnovers galore,鈥� said Mann, who noted that on most nights Vranai is one of the team鈥檚 hardest workers. 鈥淗e is always forcing the opposition.鈥�
Vranai embraces playing defence. He is one of the team鈥檚 penalty killers.
鈥淒efence always comes first in the game of hockey and keeping the puck out of the D-zone brings success to the team,鈥� he said. 鈥淗elping out our goalie and D-men is something we forwards are supposed to do as our job.鈥�
The last two seasons Vranai has split his time between the midget AA Yorkton Terriers and the midget AAA Yorkton Maulers. He had suited up for seven midget AAA regular season games with the Maulers before this season.
鈥淢y time with the Maulers has prepped me for this year and how this league is such a great league and that you can鈥檛 take a shift off or the puck will be in the back of your net,鈥� Vranai said 鈥淵ou have to come to the rink prepared every night and give it your 110 per cent effort when you hit the ice.鈥�
Vranai has certainly enjoyed playing midget AAA with the Trojans. The best part?
鈥淕etting to meet new people and playing with such an amazing group of guys. Being able to win and share that feeling with everyone on the team that makes us successful,鈥� Vranai said.
