A Drumheller goalie has wrapped up his first season in the WHL, playing for the Tri-City Americans.
The Mail reported in May 2017 that Talyn Boyko, son of Kelly and Sharla signed with the Americans. In September of last year, he attended their camp and had the opportunity to play the preseason. He made the squad and spent the season with the team.
“It was a great first year, I learned a lot from the veteran guys, I had a great goalie partner I really learned a lot from,” Boyko told the Mail.
While just turning 16, he played back up most of the year, but still managed time in 10 games and one playoff game.
“I didn’t get in as much time as I would have liked, but I think the games that I got in I really took advantage of them,” he said.
Prior to playing for the Americans, he was studying and playing at the Pursuit of Excellence Academy in Kelowna.
Coincidentally he made his first start on October 13 playing the Kelowna Rockets. He stopped 24 shots on his way to his win, as the Americans were victorious 5-4. This was just a couple days shy of his birthday.
“It was a great experience, it was my first regular season game and the guys supported me the whole way through, and then to get a win in my first game,” he said.
He is enjoying his experience and more importantly developing as a strong goalie with great competition.
“Playing at this level is the best thing for me. There is nothing like playing in front of thousands of people, even if you are just warming up,” said Boyko. “For a goalie, it is so mental, you have to learn how to be there mentally before you can succeed there mentally. You have to go through some failure before you can succeed. Once you go through hardship at that level, it is a lot easier to succeed and I think to practice with those guys every day helps, they are such good hockey players and being around that group bettered me more than being anywhere else.”
The Tri-City Americans season wrapped up on March 30 and Talyn had some time to be home, but will be back on the ice in August.
“I hope to play a bigger role and continue to try and better my game,” he said.