By Chad Klassen

Blazers Sopotyk putting game together at the right time

Mar 25, 2019 | 6:10 PM

KAMLOOPS — It’s been a dream three-game stretch for Kyrell Sopotyk. 

The 17-year-old forward has three goals in the three biggest games of his life, scoring the first goal in the 5-1 tiebreaker win over Kelowna last Tuesday to get the party started and adding two more in Saturday’s 4-3 overtime win over Victoria in Game 2. 

“I’m just grinding. I feel like I played a lot more physically, harder to play against,” said Sopotyk on his game on Saturday night. “I went to the net and did the dirty work in front to score those goals.”

It’s been a long journey to get to this point for the Aberdeen, Saskatchewan native. He was cut by the Blazers in the two previous season before sticking in his 17 year old season this year. 

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“Adversity. It’s part of the game. Just getting sent home after training camp, I knew what I had to work on,” he noted. “Get stronger, get faster, all that stuff. I just kept working and grinding so I could be here.”

After being cut in his first Blazers training camp, Sopotyk went back home and scored 42 goals in 42 games with the Prince Albert Mintos in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League. Last season, he was limited to nine games during the regular season, tallying 11 points. But he had a good playoff with 10 goals and three assists in nine games. 

Sopotyk says his physical game has ramped up in the second half of his first WHL season in Kamloops. He’s increased his compete level, and that has put him in head coach Serge Lajoie’s good books. 

“Consistency,” said Lajoie about his game. “He’s been that way since, I’d say, February. He’s really found his stride and has been consistent. It’s all the work that he’s done behind the scenes. He’s approached practice in a very purposeful and responsible way. Very professional in how he handles himself at the rink, away from the rink.”

Lajoie says it’s no surprise to see No. 12 contributing at such an important time of the season. 

“You’ve seen the growth in Kyrell. He puts himself in good positions to be able to capitalize on his scoring chances,” said Lajoie. “Beautiful play by [Logan] Stankoven on the 5-on-3, but you still have to put that puck and he made no mistake. Had to go in front of the net, not a fun area to be, to score his first one.”

“When you play the game the right way, you get rewarded. Kyrell is a guy who plays the right way and prepares the right now.”