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| Last updated at 2:07 AM on 03/12/08 |
Hynes hoping Team Atlantic performance turns heads at Hockey Canada 
CORNER BROOK
CHRIS QUIGLEY
The Western Star
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| 16-year-old Brandon Hynes is hoping to turn heads at the 2009 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. — Star File Photo |
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There haven’t been many bitter moments in the still-young hockey career of Brandon Hynes, but being left off last year’s edition of Team Atlantic for the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge was definitely one of them.
Hynes was an under-ager last year and the odds were stacked against him, but according to coaches he spoke to, he was as close as possible to cracking the roster without actually being on it.
The budding offensive star then proceeded to go on an absolute tear in the Newfoundland and Labrador Major Midget Hockey League and the West Coast High School Hockey League, perhaps in his head, attempting to prove to himself — and anyone watching — he should have been on the team.
This year Hynes is once again having no trouble scoring, only it’s as a member of the Victoriaville Tigres of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League where he has 19 points (14G, 5A) in 31 games as a rookie after being selected third overall in the league’s draft over the summer.
And this year, there was no snub when it came to the Team Atlantic roster, as Hynes is one of four Newfoundlanders on the 22-man squad.
Hynes found out he was on the team in a fairly unusual way, which involved Facebook and National Hockey League legend Steve Yzerman, who is now, of course, the general manager of Team Canada for the 2010 Winter Olympic hockey tournament in Vancouver.
“My dad actually knew before I did because the coach had called home and I wasn’t aware of it,” said Hynes. “But on Facebook I got a message and it was coming from Steve Yzerman and our coaching staff, just a congratulations sort of thing on making Team Atlantic. When I saw that coming from Steve Yzerman it took me about two seconds to dial the number home and say ‘Dad, you’ll never guess what I just got on the Internet,’ so I told him I got a message from Stevie Y and that I made Team Atlantic and he just laughed.
“I didn’t know what to do,” he added. “I was like, ‘Did this really just happen?’”
The 16-year-old believes if he knew last year what he knows now, after his time playing in the QMJHL, maybe he would’ve made the team on his first try, but that certainly doesn’t make his selection this time around any less sweet. He turned heads at the summer evaluation camp by scoring 12 points in five days and continued to draw attention with his play in major junior thus far.
“Going to camp this year was like redemption,” said Hynes. “It was mostly still the same coaching staff and in my own mind I was showing them what they missed when they didn’t pick me.”
Nothing will come easy for Hynes and Team Atlantic, as they’re in a division with defending champion Team Ontario, along with Team Pacific, Russia and Germany. The other division features Team Quebec, Team West, Finland, Slovakia and the United States.
Only the top two teams in each division move on to the semifinal round.
The team will be holding a camp before the tournament begins, but Hynes will be absent so he can be with his mother, for what he says is “the last step” in the treatment for her recent medical issues.
“She’s doing OK and it’s just one thing left to go,” said Hynes. “(Team Atlantic coaches) told me it’s not a problem and that family comes first, so I’m glad I can be with her for that.”
When he does finally hit the ice with the team, he knows nothing will be handed to him, but figures he’ll be rewarded for strong play. The motivation to make an impact at this tournament goes well beyond just winning or losing.
For many, this is the first step towards eventually playing for Canada at the World Under-18 Hockey Championship and from there, possibly, the World Under-21 Hockey Championship, otherwise known by most as simply “the juniors.”
“This is really where it starts,” said Hynes. “This is my chance to make a mark on Hockey Canada. My coaches told me you have to be perfect on the ice and off the ice, they want me to show leadership and not do anything stupid. They told me they have no doubt I’ll wind up playing on the Under-18 team and, if you make your mark there, there’s a good chance you’ll get to be on the world junior team.
“It’s hard to imagine and it’s all coming at me at once,” he admitted. “But when it all sinks in, I’ll be prepared, that’s for sure.”
The 2009 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge will go from Dec. 26 - Jan. 5 in Port Alberni, B.C.
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03/12/08
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tony vivian from deer lake, nl writes: that's the way brandon. nice to see you've made this atlantic team. you will impress the team canada scouts there for sure. i've been following all your victoriaville games, (14 goals already) but i'm not surprised. keep it up and keep making us west coasters feel proud. your a great kid!!!
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| Posted 03/12/2008 at 3:10 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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