By Dave Leaderhouse
NIPAWIN HAWKS, LW
It would take some digging, but it is probably a pretty safe bet that Tyler Adams belongs to a very select group and the number of members in that particular group would have just one name – Tyler Adams.
When the Nipawin Hawks captured the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League championship with a thrilling seven-game victory over the Estevan Bruins it marked the third major championship for the recently-turned 21-year-old from Regina.
The 6-foot-2, 206-pound power forward was a member of the 2014-15 Regina Pat Canadians that captured the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League title and last season he was a part of the Seattle Thunderbirds that claimed the Western Hockey League championship.
In both of his previous championship seasons, the teams that Adams was a part of failed to finish the job with a national title as the Pat Canadians had to settle for a bronze medal at the 2015 Telus Cup while the Thunderbirds were winless in three starts at the 2017 Memorial Cup. Adams is hoping to complete his junior career in style as the Hawks’ quest for an RBC Cup continues with a match-up against the Steinbach Pistons in the Anavet Cup.
Adams has only been with the Hawks since the start of the current calendar year, but he has certainly made his mark with the club. In 15 regular-season games Adams tallied nine goals and added three assists, but he brought some grit to the team as he racked up 150 minutes in penalties during that time. So far in the post-season he has collected eight points in the 12 games he has appeared in while piling up another 82 minutes in penalties.
Adams split the last two seasons with Seattle and the Swift Current in the WHL and with the Thunderbirds he gained valuable experience playing in all 20 post-season games en route to the championship and another three contests at the Mastercard Memorial Cup.
His two seasons with the Pat Canadians were also productive as he totalled 67 points in 87 regular-season games and at the Telus Cup he collected another four points in seven matches.
His experience in big-game situations will be invaluable for the Hawks and his presence will only add another dimension to an already solid squad. Adams is in the final stretch of his junior career and he will be looking to end it with an elusive national championship. Maybe third time will be the charm.
Tag(s): Young Guns