By Jeff D'Andrea

Zary learned about hard work from important source

Dec 3, 2014 | 4:20 PM

Tisdale Trojan forward Kalem Zary is one of the best forwards in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League—armed with a sharp wrist shot and an even sweeter pair of hands.

Now that former Trojan Tyler Kreklewich has moved on to the SJHL, Zary now leads the Trojans in scoring with 33 points in 19 games and is ranked third in the SMAAAHL in points.

According to Trojans head coach Darrell Mann, Zary’s success all starts with his work ethic.

“To me, he’s one of the hardest working players in the league and one of the most skilled players,” said Zary’s head coach Darrell Mann on Tuesday at the Art Hauser Centre. “He gets his offence from working hard.”

Kalem learned the importance of having a good work ethic from his late father Darrel, who was known in his hometown of Melfort as “Mr. Hockey” for his heavy involvement in the minor hockey scene.

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Darrel died in a car accident outside his hometown of Melfort on Nov. 3. Kalem heard the “heartbreaking news” while at school that day.

“When I was a kid, he always took me to the rink,” Kalem said in an interview with CTV Saskatoon. “He didn’t really care if I got a goal or got an assist, he just cared about me playing hard and helping the team win.”

Kalem has kept that mindset to help improve his game. Since the Nov. 3 accident, his offensive production has actually increased. Kalem has scored 13 points in the seven games since for 1.85 points per game. He averaged 1.6 points per contest in the 12 games prior.

His recent uptick in production also includes a natural hat trick against the Prince Albert Mintos on Nov. 22 in a 4-1 Trojans’ victory.

“He’s a very mature kid. He’s handled everything with unbelievable poise,” said Mann. “It’s something that we’ve supported him well and hopefully he can continue to play the way he has.

“Obviously, we’re a pretty close-knit hockey club and our guys have been able to all be there for him. It’s been a big thing for our hockey team to battle though, a bit of adversity, but we’ve done it as a group and hopefully we can continue to do that.”

The support he’s received from his teammates, as well as family and friends, has not gone unnoticed.

“It honestly means the world to me, knowing everyone’s there. I can’t thank them enough,” said Zary. “Honestly, they mean the world to me.

“Trying to win that championship, that provincial title, means so much not only to the community of Tisdale, but the team as well.”

Zary politely declined an interview with paNOW.com shortly after Tuesday’s game against the Prince Albert Mintos.

jdandrea@panow.com

On Twitter: @jeff_dandrea