Brett Hyland named WHL grad of the month

Maybe they go down the list of grade point average, or throw the top goal scorers in a hat and call it a day? Either way, Brett Hyland’s recognition as the Western Hockey League (WHL) graduate of the month for January was a long time coming, and long overdue.

The former Brandon Wheat Kings captain sits high in Canada West, leading in points per game with a style of play you can’t exactly call subtle — puck handling much?

Perhaps that happens when your line sees the greatest amount of ice time, or the opposing team stacks their defensive pairings and you’re forced to hold onto the puck, just a little longer, somehow managing to always get the assist.

No matter, there’s a lot to recognize. The first-year University of Alberta Golden Bear dawned a sluggish start to the season for all of one week with borrowed equipment, before recording a hat trick and claiming the title of a must watch player in Canada West. Months later, he joins the ranks of fellow WHL grads of the month, including line-mate Sean Tschigerl, who sits just under Hyland in points per game.

Had it not been for Hyland’s injury that took him out for half of November and all of December, we might have seen a closer call for goal and points leader as well.

Though, with seven less games than the average Bear, he’s second in goals, assists, and shorthanded goals. Third for penalty minutes too — but that’s not what this article is about.

Mid-season review and playoff potential

Since returning from his mid-season injury against the MacEwan Griffins, by playing — and losing — to them in his own barn, Hyland’s assumed a strong checking role to “outmuscle guys in the corner and pass it to Tschigerl for the open slot,” according to head coach Ian Herbers.

It’s not a new style of play by any means, but it’s consistent, it works, and the team struggled without it. Hyland’s since been able to maintain a steady performance and has gone only one game — which resulted in an overtime loss — without recording a point.

Don’t worry, he went and got three the next day.

All this to say, a small handful of off-days in a 20+ game performance for 38 points, paints a pretty healthy picture — one the Bears will need in the post season.

“On any given night there’s an expectation for our line to perform,” Hyland said.

True, the noise surrounding his line is loud, almost as high as the expectation to return to three goal games against the Saskatchewan Huskies from earlier this season. Or maintain three point performances against the Manitoba Bisons as seen this weekend.

It’s not out of the question. Hyland’s post-season performance is promising. He goes on another point streak or two with a line that carries him as much as he carry them, and stuff happens. Herbers know that. Fans know that. We know that.

With the bye fast approaching, the Bears have to sit back, watch the scoreboard, and unless miracles do exist, fall from first to third in Canada West. On the off chance dreams don’t come true, Hyland and the rest of the Bears will kick off round one against the previously swept Calgary Dinos at home on February 22.