DollarAndADream

Boychuk: The Calgarian Superstar We are now just a few games past ten on the season, and many Calgary fans have much to cheer about. Thirteen games in, the Wranglers are 4-6-3. While nobody expected this team to be a competitor, it has been a turn for good. They have been competing on the same level with most of the teams so far which is very different than previous seasons. Goaltending has been more than apparent on this squad with Martin Brookside stealing some games, and the offense has definitely been there also. The main reason analysts have been surprised about has been the play of rookie center Travis Boychuk. He is currently tied for 3rd overall in VHL scoring. This is more than most expected from him in his first season on the team. With a whopping 23 points in his first 13 games in the league, he has not had a game yet where he has been pointless. Currently the league leader in point streaks at 13, this is truly what the fans have been asking for. Travis Boychuk as of this time has a 10 point lead on the next VHL rookie. So although very early, he seems to be a contender for the Christian Stolzschweiger Trophy: the trophy awarded to the best VHL rookie. ----------------------------- Travis Boychuk celebrates ----------------------------- Many aspects of Boychuk's game have improved since our last article. One of these is his skill on face-offs. In the early stages of the season, he was on a mid-30% pace in the circle. Now, he has improved and is currently boasting 48.08% in that category. For a rookie centerman entering the pros for the first time ever, being just under 50% is all you can ask for as a coach. Anyone can tell that during the off-season he has worked a ton on the draw. Knowing that this is only the first steps of his pro career, things are only going to get better if he continues with this kind of work ethic. Despite being a pass-first player throughout his career, this young gun is starting to produce goal-wise also. Through the first 13 games, he has 10 goals which makes him an even larger threat to the opposition. The amount of effort he put into finding his wrist shot has seemed to pay off thus far. If he continues to score at this pace, he may end up one of the premier snipers in the league. This is unexpected to say the least, as all eyes had him pinned as a play maker. His shot percent is at 13.89% and at that is among the best. With that kind of elite status this early in his rookie season, it will be interesting to watch if he can continue to do the same. We mention that Boychuk has been on a bit of a goal scoring tear, but that is not the only points he is producing. At the same pace, he is still putting up the assists. At this stage of his career he still possesses the very same vision he had when he was noticed as a junior player. The ways in which he can find his teammates at the VHL level is something to be seen. He has not seemed to struggle at all taking this great skill onto new territory. This comes as no surprise to the fans who have followed him and analysts as well. ---------------------------------- Monahan Boychuk scores a goal for the Wranglers ---------------------------------- As long as Travis Boychuk continues at the level he has brought his game to in this league, he will continue to shine bright. If this is any sign of what the future holds for the Calgary Wranglers, then only great things will come to the franchise. Travis Boychuk has been much more than anyone had hoped for as a rookie stepping on the ice. We can only keep watching to see if he will faulter under this new found pressure. (This is at 13 games...now it's currently 15 so TB is a little less amazing looking, especially with Tordahl getting 7 points in those 2 extra games. 2 games since this article, Boychuk has been bumped from 3rd overall to 6th, FYI)

Rookie Boychuk tied for 3rd in VHL scoring.

Killed.

#BoychukDomination

C'mon Bears, don't be so down on yourselves. Yuma, Boychuk, Tremblay and Brookside were just too much this game.

Wranglers win! Wranglers win!

Congrats !! Pff can't even spell Wylde right.

I will wear my A with honour.

Congrats Svobo and Wylde! Ex teammates of mine in Turku. I bid you well with the Titans. Also like to congratulate Lehtinen of course.

62 HC Dynamo vs Bears 63 Legion vs Iron Eagles 64 Titans vs Wranglers 65 Reign vs Americans

61 Meute 4 vs Express 1

EASTERN CONFERENCE Montreal vs. New York Winner: Montreal # of Games: 7 WESTERN CONFERENCE Chicago vs. Los Angeles Winner: Chicago # of Games: 6

The Regular Season Commences: A Questionnaire With Travis Boychuk The beginning of Season 38 has finally begun, and with the off-season over and done with there are plenty of questions to be asked. It remains to be seen which teams will find themselves at the top of the pack this season, but some teams know where they will wind up. One of these teams is the Calgary Wranglers. While being in the middle of a rebuild looking upwards, fans are excited to see their team progress throughout the season. Through the first 2 games, the Wranglers were defeated in a couple of 4-2 deficits to the Iron Eagles and the Americans. Starting 0-2 is not how any team would want to begin, but struggles are expected for this squad. Much of the team's high hopes rest on top prospect Travis Boychuk. He had a great couple of seasons in the minors and is ready to prove he can be in the VHL. The road to success in Calgary seems to revolve around the centerman. --------------------------- Rookie Travis Boychuk celebrates a goal --------------------------- With the season opener in the past, we had some questions to ask Boychuk going forward. Interviewer: So, the VHL jitters have finally been put to rest for your career has begun in the league. How does it feel? Travis Boychuk: It feels great! While I have been struggling a little to find my A game so far, I feel amazing. This has been my dream all of my life and I am ready to take my career to the next level. I am going to try and have fun with it. Interviewer: You currently have 2 points in the first 2 games, and with all of these high expectations where do you see yourself numbers-wise this season? Travis Boychuk: I cannot make any predictions for myself at the moment because I do not want to let anyone down. My main goal is to chip in offensively and maybe stay at a point-per-game pace. I can not make any promises though, sorry. We are only 2 games in, there is a learning curve involved. Interviewer: Looking on paper, you seem to be having some troubles in the face off circle. Any comments on that? Travis Boychuk: Yes, that has become apparent for me. Face offs are a skill I take pride in as a centerman so I will be working on that for sure. Everyone in this league is much stronger than in the minors, and although I expected it to be a big step I might have underestimated the skill a little bit. ---------------------------------- Boychuk looks on from the bench ---------------------------------- Interviewer: Where do you see the team this season, and what do you think the Wranglers are lacking? Travis Boychuk: I do not see us at the top this season. While I want to say any team can win it all, this league is truly competitive. I do not see this squad making the playoffs this year but we will all gain a ton of experience for the future. My team needs some true skill, and depth throughout the whole line up. I will bring as much as I can, and I hope that guys like Brookside, Yumalatopinto, Tremblay, Figgarowta-Nahimal, Smith and Cuff stick around because I see good things in the future. I trust in the core guys here. Interviewer: How do you see your own game right now, personally? Travis Boychuk: Obviously I would love to produce more. I have a couple of assists in these first 2 outings but I am working hard to get even better. I need to improve my strength out there as the VHL is much tougher than I imagined. It is difficult to find room out on the ice. My passing game is still my go-to, and I will always rely on that but I am looking to round out my game more. Well there you have it. This concludes our interview with rookie Travis Boychuk of the Calgary Wranglers. The future looks bright in Cow Town.

Hoping the Hawks go the SCF. Screw the Kings.

What are the exact details of this job? I'd be interested.

Boychuk's career in the VHL has begun. 1 point! I'm on a 1PPG pace!

YEAH BOYCHUK WITH THE OT WINNER. Suck it, KJA. Don't worry I'm sure you'll destroy us during the actual season.

Thanks, bud! Won't be an amazing year by any means, but I expect some good progress.

Wranglers Pre-Season Underway The Calgary Wranglers pre-season has begun and fans have their first chance to see their team in action before Season 38 begins. In the off-season they acquired Godavari Yumalatopinto, a very skilled defenseman who will come in putting a lot of weight on his shoulders. Calgary hopes that this defensive stud will help bolster the blue line for the future of the franchise heading forward. Analysts do not expect much out of the team this season, but things are looking up. One man that fans are excited for is center Travis Boychuk. After 2 seasons in the VHLM, he will be stepping into a Wranglers jersey for the first time. Coming out of the VHL S37 draft at 8th overall, everyone expects him to turn into something special. While nobody expects him to light it up right away, he will lead the team in the right direction heading forward. It might take some time for him to find chemistry with his new teammates coming into a brand new environment for him. The pros are very different than anything he has played in before. Stepping into the VHLM from Europe and heading to the VHL are two completely different stories. The VHL is one of the best leagues in the world for hockey. The bodies are bigger, the competition is tougher and the skill is way more apparent. It will be a tremendous test to see if Boychuk truly is ready for it.

Travis Boychuk - #23 - Calgary Wranglers

Grats, Tremblay. I'm sure you'll do swell in Turku.

We had a great run boys, but we have to settle for Silver.

#settleforsilver

Wasn't expecting much from this. I'll take the 7 TPE!

That's the way it goes for the Bruins. As a Canucks fan I know that oh too well.