Getting to know 20-year-old Ty Tremblay

"I think I have things in life figured out just a bit, I know what I need to do."  And with that statement, Ty Tremblay decided to take a leap of faith and get back into playing the game he loves, albeit, in his last year of Junior eligibility.

Tremblay was a strong player on the Peninsula Midget AA Eagles three seasons ago and was an Alternate Captain on that Club.  From everyone's point of view who was around the Team at that time he was considered a great team mate; a guy who would make everyone feel welcome both on and off the ice.  His last year in Midget as a 17-year-old was going well.  He was putting up points and was sticking some pucks behind opponents' goaltenders.  But his season for all intents and purposes came to a grinding halt when in early November he snapped his collar bone significantly enough that it required surgery.  Tremblay managed to get back for the final two or three games in the playoffs and then it came to a sudden halt.  It was time in his mind to make his first really huge decision in life.

"I was hoping to get an apprenticeship opportunity as a Joinery/Cabinet Maker when I was in Grade 11," said the powerful left winger.  "It was part-time with Splinters Millwork which is right near Slegg Lumber in Sidney.  In the second half of Grade 12, I went on the apprenticeship full time and so I pretty much decided to get life on track and left hockey behind."  Tremblay continued on this path and is now nearing the end of his apprenticeship and is still employed by Splinters.

Two years ago Tremblay decided to get into the gym as a way of staying in shape and has put on 30 pounds of muscle moving from 150 to 180 lbs.  And it was this past summer that Panthers Captain Spencer Loverock began to urge Tremblay to come out to Main Camp with the Club.  Loverock is in his final year as well and he and Tremblay are close friends.  Tremblay went out to four or five ice sessions over the summer and it was Loverock who asked Head Coach Rob Mortin if Tremblay could try out for the Club.

"It's not usually a situation we are trying to develop out here on the Peninsula," explained Mortin.  "We want to have a young Club and move players to the next level but Pete Zubersky always has time for Peninsula kids.  An example of this was Jackson Skerratt a couple years ago.  Jackson had packed in hockey as well and midway through his 19-year-old year he asked to come out and Pete thought the idea was fine.  We both welcomed Ty out but really did not expect too much.

It was obvious right from the start of the camp that the 20-year-old wanted to be there.  His non-stop work ethic was infectious throughout the Main Camp; it was a pleasure to watch his effort every single minute on the ice.  After a couple sessions, Mortin and Zubersky knew they wanted to have Tremblay in the mix however they let the situation develop more to ensure that the effort was for real and not a flash in the pan.  And it was for real.

"We brought him into the office near the end of camp and told him we were going to sign him," said Zubersky.  We told him what was expected on and off the ice and it was my impression of the young fellow that he might just be one of our real leaders.  I loved our talk, I think he did too.  Ty calmly left the office and then walked towards the trophy cabinet and then let out a huge woooooooo!  I looked at Rob and told him that I loved the kid already."

Tremblay has real family support and his three younger brothers, his sister Holly and parents Shane and Karalee are fully supportive and love watching him play the game once again.  His parents were at both of the weekend's opening games. 

"A lot of people wanted me to get back into the game this season," he explained.  "I have pretty well finished my apprenticeship so thought it was time.  I knew I had a strong shot at making the Club, that there was opportunity.  I had to remember that I had it and just needed to bring it back."

The 20-year-old rookie is slotted in on one of the Panthers top lines, playing the left side along with another rookie, 17-year-old Cam Thompson and 18-year-old Trevor Owens.  "We have been together for just a short time but I feel chemistry building between us already," quipped Tremblay. 

In the Panthers' Home Opener on Friday evening, the score was knotted at 3-3 although the Panthers had carried the play for the most part.  At the 13:23 mark of the final stanza Thompson moved the puck back to rookie 17-year-old defenceman Matt Forbes who sent a shot towards Braves stopper Brandon Ward.  Tremblay was stationed in front and the puck went off his forearm past the startled visitor's goaltender; a goal which proved to hold up and be the winner.  Tremblay is hoping that it is the first of many.

"The weekend was so much fun," said the obviously pleased Forward.  "Our team is going to get better together really fast.  I knew most of these guys on the Club coming in from either playing against them or with them and they are a great bunch of guys.  I love the chemistry we are building as a team already, this is going to be a great year."

Tremblay and the rest of the Peninsula Panthers hit the ice on Friday night when they welcome the Victoria Cougars into the confines of the Panorama Recreation Centre.  The two Clubs tangled in a pre-season affair with the Cougars ekeing out a 3-1 lead after scoring a power play insurance marker with just over two minutes left in the game.  A large crowd is expected and fans are encouraged to come out just a bit early.