Tyler Parsons shines in final game of National Junior Evaluation Camp in Plymouth
By @MichaelCaples –
PLYMOUTH – There wasn’t a ‘player of the game’ selection process for games at the National Junior Evaluation Camp.
If there were, Tyler Parsons would have earned the last one.
To borrow from the hockey lingo dictionary, Parsons ‘stood on his head’ between the pipes for Team USA in their lopsided 5-1 victory over rival Canada to close out the World Junior camp in Plymouth.
MORE: USA Hockey concludes NJEC in Plymouth with dominating 5-1 victory over rival Canada (with photos)
The Chesterfield native stopped 35 of the 36 shots sent his way – including all 22 in the first period – to lead the U.S. to victory in the NJEC’s final game in front of 2,079 fans at USA Hockey Arena.
“Stuck to my game plan,” the goaltender said after the game. “That’s how I go in for big games. Playing in London, last season there were different types of games I was in. It was one of those nights where you see lots of shots in the first. You’ve got to be ready for it as a goalie. If you’re not ready for it, you’ll get yanked, so I just went in there and played my game, played hockey and gave the team a chance to win.”
He’s no stranger to big stages, of course; Parsons led the London Knights to an Ontario Hockey League title and a Memorial Cup victory this spring.
“I think it helped me a lot, playing in various types of games, seeing 22 shots in the first period or seeing five shots in the first period,” Parsons said of experience gained from starting for the best junior team in Canada this past season. “I think it really helped with my mindset and got me ready to go.”
OF course, Parsons said he doesn’t get nervous between the pipes – whether it’s a summer exhibition game in Plymouth or a Memorial Cup-clinching contest in Alberta.
“I’m never nervous going into a game,” Parsons said. “I just go in there and play the game. I find if you’re nervous, you’ll make mistakes, so you’ve just got to get those out before you get into the game and be ready to play.”
The former Little Caesars goaltender – a draft pick of the Calgary Flames – did enjoy the atmosphere for the summer showdown between Canada – the first of its kind at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth.
“It was pretty cool,” Parsons said. “There were a lot of fans here tonight, more than there has been. I’m used to that playing in London. We get a sold-out crowd every night, almost 10,000. I love the fans being here and that was a big help for our win here tonight.”
The week was a homecoming or sorts for Parsons and the rest of the Michigan natives invited to the World Junior camp. Growing up in Metro Detroit meant plenty of games for Parsons at USA Hockey Arena – known as Compuware Arena while he was growing up and during his first OHL season with London.
“The coloring changed a lot in the rink, but the ice is still the same,” Parsons said. “I really enjoyed playing here. I think when I played here I had about 40 family members here for my first season in the OHL. It’s awesome. It changed a little bit with USA Hockey, it’s a whole different league, but it’s nice to be here again.”
Parsons was one of the final cuts for last year’s World Junior team; this year, he is expected to be Team USA’s starter for the 2017 edition in Toronto and Montreal. For this year’s evaluation camp, Parsons wanted to show the coaching staff what he’s made of.
“Just the way I play. Compete and go out there – it’s summer hockey so you’re not going to be your best, but you want to go in there and compete and prove yourself.”
He also wanted to be a leader for the other goaltenders at camp.
“For sure. I started a great relationship between the three other guys out there, and they’re great guys, great goalies – it’s good to know them and be on the ice with them.”
The World Junior camp was just the latest in a long list of high-profile activities for Parsons. A Memorial Cup victory means a shortened off-season, and for Parsons, he also had the experience of being drafted by Calgary (second round, 54th overall) and an ensuing development camp with his new parent organization.
“For me, it’s been a short summer,” Parsons said. “I don’t think I got home until June 10. I strictly got back to training and I didn’t skate that much until development camp, and then took a week off and just did some training. It’s hard to get back into the groove, but after a few good practices, I think you’re ready to go.
[Development camp] was great, a great experience. I met a lot of players, made a lot of friends there, met all the goalies, the signed guys – it was a good experience. It was a lot of work, and that’s what it is at the next level. It was just a great time overall there.”
Now that the NJEC has come to a close, Parsons can start preparing for the 2016-17 season – one he expects to spend with the OHL’s Knights once again.
“That’s probably 99 percent – that I’m going back to London,” Parsons said. “I’m fine with that. Just go back there and develop more and maybe if we get some good players back, we’ve got an awesome team. We’ve got some guys that we’ve signed that are looking pretty good, so I think we’re going to have a great team. I don’t know if it will be as great as the team we had last year, but you never know. I’m really looking forward to that.”