2019 | Minnesota | BOYS

Tartan Titans | Titan | BOYS

I was coaching the “Aâ€_x009d_ Pee Wee’s for TAYHA while volunteer coaching with the Tartan High School boys hockey team back in 2012. I was evaluating the fall warm ups for the Pee Wee’s when I see this kid fall down, get back up…fall down, get back up and he would just keep playing with a smile on his face. He never seemed to get frustrated in his play. I thought, based on his effort alone, elevated him to the list of possible “Aâ€_x009d_ players. Then I watched him waiting for his turn in the drill, how he would respond with his teammates and how he acted to the instructions from the coaches.

Fast-forward to 2019, the player whose effort stood out in 2012 turned out to be Tyler Bushard. Today, Tyler is the Team Captain of the Tartan Titans and our Hobey Baker Award Winner.

Tyler epitomizes the Hobey Baker legacy. Tyler will listen to any constructive criticism towards him because he wants to play hockey “the right wayâ€_x009d_. He has taken the responsibility in perfecting our concepts so that he can teach his peers exactly what the coaching staff has installed. He passes down the knowledge he has accumulated in his time as a Titan. Tartan Team Captains understand, “much is given and much is expected,â€_x009d_ when the “Câ€_x009d_ is etched in their jersey. Tyler has given so much more to this community than we could ever repay. He never lacks effort and he is setting the bar high for future Team Captains.

Tyler is constantly the first player to arrive, last player to leave the arena. Tyler’s alertness, loyalty and accessibility to his teammates are the quality attributes he possesses. Tyler’s is a leader off ice at all of our team functions. He can constantly be seen helping at the “Learn to Skateâ€_x009d_ program, “Try Hockeyâ€_x009d_, or teaching at any of our clinics for TAYHA. I rest easy knowing the youth in our community have a tremendous role model in Tyler. He strives to deliver a great experience for the next generation of Titans at the countless events he attends.

His commitment is not only to the hockey community. Tyler is an exemplary student-athlete. He has shown that he can juggle all of the responsibilities of a committed athlete; while still maintaining the grades and test scores to be accepted to his college of choice, the University of Minnesota.

His passion for the game has made Tyler understand that there are times he has to control his play. As a leader, he has progressed from a player who was called for penalties too frequently to a gritty goal scoring center. Tyler has also stood out as a leader when final buzzer has sounded. Tyler will make sure our team shakes hands with the opponent, their coaches, the referees on the ice and the off-ice officials in the penalty box. Tyler understands the competition is over but being a leader never ends.

I’m very proud to select Tyler Bushard as Tartan High School’s 2019 Hobey Baker Award Winner.

Cole Leitch
Tartan Boys Head Coach