Joey Payeur
The dream of Cole Tymkin to one day play in the NHL just took a sizable step forward.
Tymkin left today for Frisco, Tex. as one of 34 players invited to the 2017 Dallas Stars’ development camp, which starts Friday and runs through Tuesday.
“It’s pretty exciting,” said the 17-year-old native of Rainy River who now calls Fort Frances home.
“The Stars contacted my [player] agency before they got a hold of me,” he noted.
“They were talking about the [recent NHL entry draft] and see if maybe I could go as their guest but that, if not, they still wanted me at the camp.”
Tymkin, who spent his first season with the OHL’s London Knights last year, will be one of 19 forwards at the camp–and one of the youngest players there overall.
That means there will be no time to waste to get the attention of Stars’ general manager Jim Nill and legendary bench boss Ken Hitchcock, who will return as Dallas’ head coach this fall for his second stint after running the Stars’ bench from 1996-2002 and winning a Stanley Cup in 1999.
“Being one of the guys getting to go that hasn’t been drafted means I have to go out and give my all and make a good first impression,” Tymkin stressed.
“Hopefully, you do well enough that they keep their eye on you for the year ahead.”
Tymkin isn’t worried about one of the fresher faces at the camp.
“You’re going to be out there battling against 20-year-olds and guys who played in the KHL,” conceded the 2015-16 SIJHL rookie-of-the-year with the Fort Frances Lakers, who went on to be a fifth-round draft pick of London.
“I don’t want to change anything about my game so they can realize I can play against men, older guys, stronger guys.”
Tymkin will know a few of the other players at camp personally, as either teammates or rivals this past season.
Defenceman Chris Martenet played half-a-season with the Knights before being traded to the Ottawa 67s.
Other OHL’ers on hand will include Shaw Boomhower (Mississauga Ice Dogs), Nick Caamano (Flint Firebirds), Liam Hawel (Guelph Storm), Zach Roberts (Owen Sound Attack), and Jason Robertson (Kingston Frontenacs).
“I think I compare favourably to those guys,” said Tymkin.
He also will be taking part in an eight-team development roster tournament this September in Travers City, Mich., featuring prospects from other NHL organizations going up against the Stars’ up-and-comers.