Mintos defenceman Tanner Willick (middle) celebrates his first goal as a Minto alongside his twin brother Kody Willick (top) and rookie Zach Bansley. Jeff D'Andrea/paNOW Staff

By Jeff D'Andrea

Mintos back

Mintos use pent-up pandemic energy in big win over Trojans

Oct 24, 2020 | 10:11 PM

It won’t even count in the standings, but the Prince Albert Mintos’ 9-2 preseason win over the Tisdale Trojans felt like a crucial playoff game.

After the longest hockey training camp of all time to prepare for the Saskatchewan Male U18 AAA Hockey League season, the Mintos seemed to take advantage of their pent-up pandemic energy a little better than their nearby rivals.

When Tanner Willick scored the Mintos’ first goal just 54 seconds into the game, every one of his linemates jumped on him as if he just scored an overtime winner. Mintos captain Kody Willick, who is Tanner’s twin brother, was one of the first to get in there and celebrate the first Mintos’ goal of the year.

“I mean, it’s big,” said captain Kody, who himself had two goals and five points in the contest. “We haven’t played a game for seven or eight months some of us, so it’s pretty cool to get that first goal quick too.

“I think the boys needed it. We’ve been working for a month or two so I think it’s good to get out and get a reward for working that hard for two months.”

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The Mintos had so many practices that head coach Danton Danielson didn’t immediately know how many he conducted. His best guess is around 25-30, most of which were done without any clear idea on when or even if the season would start.

“The boys have been ready for a while to get on the ice and play, but they’ve kept a real positive attitude throughout,” Danielson said. “There hasn’t been a lot of moping around about not being able to compete. They’ve been competing with each other. And that’s what it takes.”

One of those guys that had shone and had that positive attitude was Kody Willick, who is now the team’s captain and one of its can’t miss forwards despite not making the team out of camp last year. Or as Danielson more aptly puts it, Willick made the team but the Mintos didn’t have any room for him.

But when Prince Albert’s Gabe Klassen got the call up to the Portland Winterhawks in December, Willick joined the Mintos and scored eight goals and 18 points in 22 games this season.

“And he was a pro the whole way through,” Danielson said. “He worked on what he needed to work on and by the end of the season, he was one of our most important players even last year.”

Willick said he learned a lot about being a captain just from sitting back in the Mintos’ dressing room and listening to last year’s captain in Chase Friedt-Mohr, and even other veterans without letters like goaltender Spencer Welke.

“I learned lots from the leaders on the team like Spencer Welke and Chase Friedt-Mohr, guys like that. They taught me how to lead a team and be a good guy in the room, and help out the younger guys. It helped me out, so I just hope to keep that going.”

Scoring Summary

First Period

Mintos, 1-0, Tanner Willick from Kody Willick and Zach Bansley, 0:54

Trojans, 1-1, Carter Briltz from Clay Sleeva, 3:27

Trojans, 2-1, Kayden Ostrom from Jacob Cossette and Jeremy Hancock (power play), 5:18

Mintos, 2-2- Kody Willick from Tre Fouquette, 8:18

Second Period

Mintos, 3-2, Tanner Howe from Kody Willick and Dallyn Peekeekoot (power play), 3:57

Mintos, 4-2, Curren Wintonyk-Pilot from Danton Cox and Kaden Chrest, 8:36

Mintos, 5-2, Kody Willick from Rhett Ravndahl and Dallyn Peekeekoot, 9:08

Mintos, 6-2, Curren Wintonyk-Pilot from Gage Helm and Tanner Howe , 13:43

Mintos, 7-2, Tanner Willick from Kody Willick and Tanner Howe, 18:24

Third Period

Mintos, 8-2, Karson Blanchette from Kaden Chrest, 12:45

Mintos, 9-2, Gage Helm from Tanner Howe, 16:44

The Mintos are scheduled to play the Trojans in a rematch on Sunday at 2 p.m. in Tisdale.

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Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW