Paisley fighting for spot on Team Canada Junior A Challenge roster

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This article was published 07/12/2022 (1130 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The dream of every Canadian hockey player could come true for Ty Paisley, as the Steinbach forward could get a chance to pull on the maple leaf at the World Junior A Hockey Challenge later this month.

Paisley was one of 31 players named to the Team Canada West selection camp for the tournament, which this year features teams from the United States, Sweden and Latvia. The Latvian team will be their national junior team, as the country prepares to participate in the 2023 World Junior Championship.

The 2022 edition of the tournament will begin Dec. 11 and end Dec. 18.

Paisley is coming into camp on a hot streak, scoring points in his past five games and was named an Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) player of the week.

“It’s obviously an honour to be representing the MJHL and my team to go there,” Paisley said after a game against Virden, scoring a goal and three assists.

He has 37 points so far this season for his hometown Steinbach Pistons, and has committed to the NCAA’s St. Thomas for next season.

Steinbach’s head coach, Paul Dyck said Paisley’s success is a carryover from his play last year. As a 2004-born forward, he had ten points in the Pistons’ playoff run.

“I think it’s going to be a great experience for (Paisley),” Dyck said.

“Hopefully it all goes according to plan for him.”

Paisley not only represents Steinbach in the MJHL, but was also born in the city.

“I’ve known Ty for many, many years, so it’s nice to see him have the success that he’s having,” Dyck said.

“He’s put in a lot of good work, he’s deserving of this opportunity.”

Paisley said confidence has played a big role in his development as a player.

“Being a year older, adding a couple more pounds in the off-season, (my) skating got better,” he said.

“Put that all together, and the pucks go in the net a little bit more too.”

Paisley is the only player from the MJHL named to Team Canada West’s initial roster, although the head coach is Winkler Flyers bench boss Justin Falk.

“I’m going there to make the team, I really want to make it,” he said.

“I’m excited to wear the maple leaf. It’s every kid’s dream.”

Paisley’s success will open up a spot in Steinbach’s top six, which has been red hot over the past couple weeks, as the team is scoring nearly six goals per game over an eight-game winning streak.

“When guys are out through injury or opportunities like this, the expectation is that other guys come in and step up,”

“It’s purely opportunity for others.”

Paisley’s trip to the Junior A challenge will have him out of the lineup at least for Steinbach’s home-and-home weekend games against the Niverville Nighthawks.