By Derek Holtom
Kyle Bochek’s hockey journey has taken him all around Western Canada – from his hometown of Moosomin, Sask., to Melville, Sask., to Vancouver, to Niverville, and finally, with the end in sight, Waywayseecappo.
Just 80 minutes up the highway from his hometown, Bochek is looking to make an impact in his final year of junior hockey – just as soon as he gets back on the ice.
The 20-year-old forward, who was dealt to the Wolverines in early December, last played on Jan. 23 against the Virden Oil Capitals. He injured his knee, but has his sights set on returning to the line for the playoff push – and more.
“I just took a hit and my knee when in, and I screwed up my MCL badly, but for now it’s getting better,” says Bochek. “I just got back on the ice two days ago, and my goal is to be back on the ice this coming weekend.
“For now, I’ve been going to Brandon twice week for physio, stretching, stuff like that, and doing my workout plan to strengthen things up.”
Getting the change to finish his junior career so close to home has proven to be a blessing in disguise for Bochek, who was in fact surprised at his mid-season trade earlier this year.
“It was kind of a shock to get traded from a place where they tell you everything you want to hear,” he said. “The next thing you know they’re sending you to Wayway. I was actually sick at the time and I heard with a call.
“But I said that’s just over an hour from home, so for a 20-year-old in their last year, that’s all you can ask for, to have your family so close to home,” he added.
In 10 games with the Wolverines Bochek had two goals and seven assists, making a noticeable impact and helping get them back on the winning track. Overall this season Bochek, who stands five foot nine inches and weighs 165 pounds, has nine goals and 16 assists in 39 games.
“Since I’ve been here, it’s actually been a blast – it’s a great group of guys, great coaching staff,” says Bochek. “I’d like to think I have some experience as a 20-year-old, so I like to think I have some responsibility and impact in how to conduct myself on and off the ice. And I’d like to think that’s helped contribute to our success somewhat of late.”
Playoff hockey is what it’s all about, and Bochek has some experience there. He has played 15 playoff games with the Vancouver Giants of the WHL, scoring a goal and adding an assist in that time. But playing in the moment, coping with the pressure that builds as the playoff series go deeper and deeper, that’s what Bochek can help his teammates with as they battle the Neepawa Titans for the final playoff spot in the WHL’s West Division.
“We’ve been battling since Christmas, when we said we’re making the playoffs,” said Bochek. “A lot of people didn’t believe in us as we were so far back.
“But we got back to practice, developed good habits there, and we have two big games left against Neepawa. It’s anyone’s race and we’re excited. We have nothing to lose.”
Up next
The Wolverines wrap up February with three more games, including another crucial meeting against the Titans on Feb. 27 (next Tuesday) in Neepawa.
Before then, the Wolverines will clash with the Steinbach Pistons on home ice this Thursday, with puck drop at 7:30 p.m., and in OCN against the Blizzard on Saturday. Those two teams are arguably the most sound defensively, with some of the best goaltending duos in the MJHL.
OCN recently saw starter Tomas Anderson post back-to-back shutouts, while Steinbach’s Cole Plowman leads the league in save percentage at .933 (just ahead of Anderson from OCN). Getting goals against these two teams will be a challenge.
CLAW MARKS – The Waywayseecappo Wolverines entered last weekend just a point back of a playoff spot, though the Neepawa Titans retained a game in hand. The Wolverines had fallen 10 points back of the Titans at one point in December … Wayway’s three top scorers heading into the weekend were separated by just a point. Sean Williams led the group and was seventh in league scoring with 46 points, followed by a two-way tie between Jack Clarke and Ben Roulette, who each had 45.