Tyler Brennan leads men’s hockey team into Red Deer

Team Manitoba’s men’s hockey team will have a future Western Hockey League goaltender between the pipes at the 2019 Canada Winter Games later this month.

Winnipegger Tyler Brennan was drafted by the Prince George Cougars last May.

“I was in class and I was following along,” Brennan said. “My teacher let me watch it (the draft) with a bunch of guys in class. It was very exciting, especially with all of the other guys getting drafted as well. It was a great day.”

Despite just being 15-years-old, Brennan has already played in some pre-season games with the Cougars and likes northern British Columbia so far.

“The city was great, it’s really nice, a lot of great people out there,” he said. “The team was unbelievable, guys made me feel at home, so it was a great experience.”

Brennan comes from a goaltending family, with his mom and uncle having played the position in the past. He’s been in net since he was seven-years-old.

“We’d rotate goalies, and I was one of the only guys who actually liked going in net,” he said. “So I kept going in net for the team and I really liked it and it just kind of stuck.”

At six feet three inches tall, Brennan says he uses his size to his advantage.

“I think I’m really athletic, and having the size I do and being athletic—they go really well together,” he said.

As for his game-day routine, it’s all about having some quiet time to himself.

“I don’t like having a lot of interaction with a lot of the other players…I just like being in my own zone,” Brennan said. “Listen to music and do certain stretches and be ready for the game.”

And he’ll be ready for the Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, representing his home province.

“I really like the group of guys,” he said. “We have a really hard-working team. We could really go far in the tournament.”

Beyond the Canada Games and his upcoming WHL career, Brennan has some pretty lofty goals.

“Obviously it’s every kid’s dream to go to the NHL, and it’s mine too” he said. “Go far, play in the NHL for a while, and just have a great career.”

You can listen to Tyler’s full interview on the Sport Manitoba Podcast.