NEWS

Ontario Junior Hockey League resident reporter Ron Valentine is profiling the 2019-20 team captains of The OJ this fall.

BY RON VALENTINE

Tyler Flack has played under two North York Rangers' captains in Kyle Clark and Grayden Gottschalk who helped him grow as a hockey player.

Now this season, Tyler will wear the "C" and he is honoured to be following in their footsteps. Despite a concussion last season in the playoffs, Tyler potted 23 goals and finished the regular campaign with 41 points.

“I had a high ankle sprain in 2017-18, which ended up costing me half of the regular season, so it was good to get almost a full one in.”

The Rangers bowed out in the conference semifinals in the 2019 playoffs, 5-3 in Game 7, at the Herb Carnegie arena to the Wellington Dukes in one of the best contests of the entire season.

“It was a great game with a terrific atmosphere in front of two loud sets of fans,” he said. “Unfortunately, we came out on the wrong end and we were disappointed as we thought we had a real shot at the national championship. We brought in some players at the deadline who fitted in and really helped us.”

Tyler went on: "Now with a lot of players lost to overage, it will take a while to get it all together but we will start the season with a lot of confidence knowing there are guys who will step in to take their places.”

One player who will see more action will be goalkeeper Eli Shiller who toiled in the shadow of the record-setting Jett Alexander.

“Now, Eli will be the No. 1 and he showed last season what he is capable of and he will have that experience and will now be able to show it off." 

"I want to the team to continue to show the 'Ranger mentality' of previous seasons,” Tyler said, "and continue to be a strong close group on and off the ice under Geoff's (Head Coach Geoff Schomogyi) great leadership."

Tyler was captain of the Toronto Marlboros Midget club so he comes into the job with experience but he noted he will have strong support from the returning players and looks forward to helping the new faces get adjusted quickly to life in the OJHL.

“I remember when I was a rookie trying to find my feet in the league,” he said, "It was tough."

Like many players, Tyler would like to be able to pursue a career in NCAA Division 1 hockey in the U.S. so he knows how important this campaign, his last at this level, is going to be.

"I haven't set any personal goals" he noted "except to show leadership on and off the ice, play physical two-way hockey, score some goals and put in a full season. Signing veteran defenceman Noah Holm will help as will the return of players like Cole O'Hara and Adam Panacci. We want to continue to be known as a tough team to play against.”

It will be Rangers-style hockey again this season with the expectations being nothing short of a repeat as South Division champions and if Tyler has anything to do with it there will be no stopping there!

Photo: Amy Deroche of OJHL Images

Follow Ron Valentine on Twitter @ronandlynda