YORKTON — Yorkton Terriers’ defenceman Thomas Ries has established himself as one of the premier defencemen in the SJHL.
Now he’s going to get a chance to showcase his skills at the international level.
Ries, who is in his second season with the Terriers, has been selected to skate for Team Canada West at the upcoming World Junior A Hockey Challenge Dec. 7-13 in Trois Rivieres, Que. Six SJHL players were named to the team.
He was third in the SJHL for scoring by defencemen with 22 points in 22 games when he left for the tournament.
“I had to phone my mom and let her know because she’s been my biggest supporter forever, so I wanted to let her know,” said Ries. “I was just really excited and I’m so grateful for the opportunity.”
Ries was selected for Team Canada West following a November showcase in Martensville that featured players from the SJHL and the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. He thought he did pretty well at the showdown. He’s also not surprised to see six SJHLers on the squad.
“I expected there to be a few,” said Ries. “There could have been probably a few more, but I guess it worked out that way for them.”
He noted that goaltender Luke McKechnie, a Lumsden product now playing for the Whitecourt Wolverines of the Alberta Junior Hockey League, played a game for the Terriers last season as an affiliate player. McKechnie is the only player for Team Canada West that Ries has played with, but he knows a lot about the other SJHL players on the team.
Team Canada West will have opportunities to bond before the tournament starts, thanks to practices and exhibition games.
“We’re all going to be in the hotel together … playing cards, hanging out and getting to know everybody, so we’ll be good for Game 1,” said Ries, who left for Quebec Dec. 1, the day after the Terriers’ 6-1 victory over the Warman Wolverines.
The other teams, which includes Team Canada East, Sweden and the U.S., should be strong.
“It will be probably the best hockey I’ve played against ever in my life, and they ‘ll be really good. I think all the teams are good and the players are good, so it’ll be a really good challenge for us," said Ries.
So far the season has been going well, he said. He’s been putting up points while playing minutes against the opposition’s top players. He’s confident the Terriers will go on a hot streak before too long.
Ries, who played his U18 AAA hockey with the Estevan Bears, is grateful to all of those who have helped him grow as a player – teammates, coaches and other influences – and to the Terriers for what they have done for him.
“Coming here and playing for coach Emery [Olauson], it’s been good. I fit his system really well, and he works good with me and my game’s matured. Just having him there has helped my game get to another level,” said Ries.
