Staff
Cole Tymkin has put himself in position to make a big step in his hockey career.
The 17-year-old Fort Frances resident, a native of Rainy River, yesterday made it through the initial roster cutdown to 25 players for the defending Memorial Cup champion London Knights (OHL).
Tymkin, who captured the SIJHL rookie-of-the-year award with the Fort Frances Lakers last season, still has some proving to do to confirm his spot on the squad, which drafted him in the fifth round (91st overall) in 2015.
That starts tonight in London against the visiting Sarnia Sting—the first of four exhibition games over the next 12 days that will result in the Knights choosing their roster heading into the season.
London plays in Sarnia tomorrow before winding up the pre-season with two games against the Erie Otters next Thursday and again on Sept. 13.
Tymkin is one of 19 forwards left at camp, with 12 already signed to contracts.
But that group includes at least two players with a high probability of making their respective NHL teams this fall in the form of Mitch Marner (Toronto Maple Leafs) and Matthew Tkachuk (Calgary Flames).
Marner was the No. 4 overall pick by Toronto in last year’s NHL entry draft while Tkachuk was No. 6 overall this year.
With one over-aged player not likely to stick, Tymkin looks to be in a battle with three other players to earn a roster spot.
There still is a possibility Tymkin could be selected as an extra forward so the Knights can have some healthy bodies on hand to fill in for any unexpected game-day scratches.
He also could be carded by the Knights even if he doesn’t stay on the main roster.
Tymkin was part of Team White in London’s intrasquad scrimmages during the three days, and helped them to a 5-0 record.
He recorded a Gordie Howe “hat trick” with a goal, an assist, and a fight in his first game playing on a line with 2016 first-round selection Janne Kuokkanen and 2013 15th-rounder Sam Miletic.
Tymkin was held pointless in his second outing, but had two assists in his third and then one helper in his fourth.
He added one assist in his final contest to finish with six points in five games.
London opens the regular season Sept. 21 in Sarnia.
