Joey Payeur
Confidence and experience are Cole Tymkin’s companions on the way to what he hopes is his next full-time hockey gig.
The 17-year-old Fort Frances resident, last season’s SIJHL rookie-of-the-year, is in southern Ontario right now awaiting his chance to crack the roster of the defending Memorial Cup champion London Knights of the OHL.
London holds its main training camp this weekend, then begins its pre-season next week, and Tymkin will have to be on top of his game to earn one of the few openings on the 20-man roster in what likely will be a battle among about 30 candidates.
“They know their top two or three lines already, so everyone’s battling for just a few spots,” noted the forward, who had 49 points in 48 regular-season games as a 16-year-old with the Fort Frances Lakers.
“I have to be confident in my game,” he added.
“At main camp last year, I didn’t play to my full potential.
“I’m not holding back this year,” Tymkin vowed. “I’m going to be more aggressive.
“I know what to expect.”
Tymkin also hasn’t held back when it comes to getting into peak condition to maximize his chances to make the Knights.
“I’ve been working out with my personal trainer, Ian MacKay, twice a week, plus working out on my own on the weekends,” he noted.
“I’m also following some new meal plans and I’m sticking with them the best I can.”
Tymkin dismissed the notion of trying to carve one’s own niche with a team considered the best in Canadian junior hockey.
“I don’t think it really makes a difference,” he remarked.
“They haven’t seen me all last year so it starts with my first skate at camp,” he added.
“I felt more pressure last year.”
Tymkin also isn’t getting hung up on playing any certain role with London.
“If I make it, I’ll probably start as a fourth-line right-winger and try and grind my way up to the third line,” he predicted.
“I’ll do a job, whatever it is—use my body, get in front of the net, whatever they need.”
If Tymkin doesn’t crack the roster, there’s the option of playing for the Knights’ affiliate, the London Jr. Nationals.
But Plan ‘B’ is not part of Tymkin’s plans.
“I don’t expect that to happen,” said the former Muskie, who had a message for young local players who hope to follow in his footsteps one day.
“Be strong mentally and don’t let things go to your head,” he warned.
“Travelling away from home to play is tough,” Tymkin said. “But no matter where you are, you have to adjust.
“Stick with what you’re good at, have confidence, and be coachable,” he advised.
