The Haze FM

Tyler Haskins

The Majors organization has certainly had a long line of captains who have demonstrated what it takes to lead a team. One such player who served as captain of the Majors is Tyler Haskins.

The native of Madison, Ohio joined the Majors via a trade with the Guelph Storm back in 2003-04, and then spent the following two years with the Majors. Haskins wore the “C” for the 2005-06 season, where he ended up recording a career-high 75 points in 56 games and finished third on the team in scoring. He was named to the Eastern Conference All-Star team, and spent his final year in junior hockey in 2006-07 with Saginaw.

After moving on from the junior ranks, Haskins, who celebrated his 23rd birthday just last month, split his 2007-08 season between the Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL, and the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League.

The 6’0”, 185 lbs. forward signed a contract with the New York Islanders in the summer of 2008, and concluded this past season in Bridgeport with 10 goals and 25 points in 72 games played.

Now that the off-season’s kicked in, the Majors caught up with Tyler and this is what he had to say.

M: After moving on from the junior league in 2007, you spent a good chunk of the following year with the Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL. What did you think was a big difference between junior and pro hockey?

TH: “The travel is a lot different because you really have to be responsible and pay attention to your body. It was a big adjustment period just seeing what it was like to play with stronger guys and not playing against kids anymore. From that standpoint it was a pretty big adjustment.”

M: Since the game schedules and training hours differ in junior and pro hockey, were there any big changes to your personal daily routines?

TH: “In pro hockey practices can start as early as 10 a.m. so you have to find something to do for the rest of the day. Once I moved out I didn’t have billets anymore so I had to learn my boundaries and tried to stay out of trouble! Another thing was time management and it can be such a grind on your body throughout the year that you need to stay healthy to play better and get noticed.”

M: Midway through the 2007-08 season, you went up to the AHL and began playing for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. What did you think of your transition from the ECHL to the AHL?

TH: “You had to be a step quicker and a step stronger. It took a while for me to get used to, and then I got more comfortable there. The biggest thing for me was playing with confidence and gaining it, and it took about ten to fifteen games for me to really get used to it.”

M: What are some aspects of your game you’d currently like to improve on?

TH: I’ve been focusing on my strength - all throughout my career, actually. I’ll be working out and training hard during the summer to stay in shape for next season.”

M: Have you come across any former Majors teammates while in pro?

TH: “Two years ago in Bridgeport I played with Tim Brent, and then I played against Justin Peters in Albany recently… It’s always nice to play against them, seeing them play and just meeting them under the stands after a game and catch up with those guys.”

M: During your time with the Majors, do you have a memory that stands out the most?

TH: “My first year, our playoff run, playing with Tim Brent who was captain at the time and I learned a lot.”

M: Which OHL team was the Majors biggest rival, back in your day?

TH: “I’d have to say our biggest rival in my opinion was Sudbury and we were in the conference finals with them.”

M: Looking back, how did playing under Dave Cameron influence your hockey career?

TH: “I haven’t talked to him in a while but one of the best coaches I’ve had was Dave Cameron. He led a very disciplined team and we knew what we would do in every situation. We might not have been the most skilled team but we worked hard which was a credit to him.”

M: What was the biggest lesson you learned from Dave?

TH: “He prepares you for the lifestyle and what it takes to do everyday to play like a pro, to be a pro. And I thank him for that.”

M: Finally, what advice would you give to current Majors players?

TH: “Just listen to Dave because he knows what it takes to be a pro. Just work hard every day and try to get better every day.”

 

 
 

Picture Above (Right) by Rich Stieglitz (Bridgeport Sound Tigers / New York Islanders)

 

 

June 12, 2009

By Ankie Yip