A Drumheller goalie was selected in the third round of the WHL Bantam Draft and signed with the Tri-City Americans.
Talyn Boyko, 14, son of Kelly and Sharla, has been playing Bantam AAA Hockey at the Pursuit of Excellence academy in Kelowna. He was the 53rd pick overall in the Bantam Draft, and then signed with the team.
“He was really excited to go to Tri-City, it was one of the places he wanted to go, it is a good franchise with lots of opportunities,” said his father Kelly.
This year his team, the Bantam Prep team won the CSSHL with Talyn in net. He had a 13-2 record with a 2.90 GGA and .896 save percentage. He notched two shutouts.
“13 of the top 22 guys drafted came out of the CSSHL,” said Kelly, and 12 players came from the Pursuit of Excellence Academy.
“He played lots and had a really good year,” said Kelly. “He was really fortunate to be part of that great group of guys and it was an honour to be drafted by Tri-City, It’s a great organization.”
The Tri-City Americans play out of Kennewick Washington and plays in the US Division of the WHL along with Seattle and Everett, Portland and Spokane. Carey Price of the Montreal Canadiens is a Tri-City Alumni.
This doesn’t mean he is off to the big league just yet. This coming season he will stay at the Pursuit of Excellence and play Major Midget AAA.
“He will go to the camp at Tri-City at the end of August,” said Kelly.
A 15-year-old can only play five games in the WHL, so the following season he hopes to work hard and carve out a spot on the roster.
“It will be tough, but that is his dream and the first step towards his ultimate goal,” said Kelly. “It’s a stepping stone to the next level.”
