Much can change for a person when they reach their teenage years and hit their growth spurt. For hockey players like Ty Paisley, finding yourself in a 6-foot-2 frame changes what you can do and how you can do it on the ice. And that has meant some rewards for the 18-year-old forward from Steinbach, Manitoba.
Most notably, after a visit to the Twin Cities over the summer, Paisley announced his commitment to the University of St. Thomas and plans to be on the ice with the Tommies in the fall of 2024.
“The coaches had me down there for a visit. Campus is unbelievable, and I got a really good vibe from everyone. It seems like a very exciting place to play here in a couple years,” said Paisley, who played junior hockey for his hometown Steinbach Pistons last season with 17 goals and 13 assists in 53 games. He will skate for the Pistons again this season, to the delight of their coaches and fans.
“Ty’s a guy that last year made some big strides in his game, in particular in his 200-foot game,” said Pistons coach Paul Dyck. “He grew in confidence and physically he grew as well, so he’s just starting to get comfortable being a bigger body and with that, understanding how to use his size to his benefit as well.”
I am honoured to announce my commitment to play NCAA Division 1 hockey at the University of St. Thomas. Thank you to my family, teammates, coaches and everyone who has helped me along the way #rolltoms😈 pic.twitter.com/hQKT5Zf3Kf
— Ty Paisley (@paisley_ty) August 22, 2022
Paisley admits that he’s getting more used to the physical side of the game and using that bigger frame to his advantage, especially near the net in the offensive zone. He returned to Steinbach after three seasons at a hockey academy in Winnipeg, and was well-know for his skill in open ice. Dyck said last season he started to thrive in traffic more often, and to embrace the traffic. They are excited about what two more years of junior hockey can do for him before starting college at 20.
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“There’s lots of upside left for Ty. He’s just scraping the surface of what’s all in there. He’s got a really good mind for the game, and that’s often a great indicator of future success,” said Dyck, who played 15 seasons of pro hockey in North America and Europe. “Physically he’s topping what’s there but he’s putting in a lot of good weight and getting stronger.”
Dyck added that it is an exciting time for the Pistons, who have now had two players commit to the Tommies. Right winger Quinton Pepper announced that he would be a future Tommie earlier in the season and Jack Rogers, who led the team offensively last season, is bound for St. Cloud State.
“With Ty being from Steinbach that makes it even more special. We’re excited for him. This is something he’s been working toward for a long time,” Dyck said. “Ty is thrilled to be going to St. Thomas. I think it’s a great fit. With what they have going on there, they could be a real powerhouse in college hockey at some point.”
As for his plan for the next 24 months, Paisley said size and strength to compete at the college level right away are the primary goals.
“I’m going to need to get faster and stronger. When you get to the next level the players are faster and stronger, so I’ll work on that and on making faster decisions on the ice,” he said.
