Game On Magazine 2017 Game On Magazine - Regular Season Edition | Page 18

D U R A C O ’ S W H L P L AY E R O F T H E M O N T H TY LEWIS Working Hard at Everything BY CARTER BROOKS Photos by Jeff Miller BRANDON – Ty Lewis is not your prototypical hockey player. The 19-year-old Brandonite may very well have the genetics, training and experience to make it in the hockey world, but that isn’t the only goal of the current Brandon Wheat Kings’ leading scorer. In fact, Lewis is more concerned with how he treats others, how his words and a ctions come across, and how he can continue to improve his already outstanding work ethic. Remarkable morals for a guy who is currently fifth in scoring in the Western Hockey League. Unlike many other Canadian junior hockey- playing teenagers, hockey is not Lewis’ life. It is certainly a major part of his life, but there are many other 1 8 | G AME ON | R EGU L A R SEASON ED ITION 2018 areas and aspects in which he intends to continue developing. By using his skill- specific hockey training as a model, Lewis is able to convey exactly how there is indeed, more to life than hockey. “Hockey is a big part of my life, and it has been since I was a little kid,” the six-foot, 185 pound left winger said. “I enjoy trying to get better, while working on specific areas – seeing my skillset progress. It’s just kind of a mindset for me that I want to be the best player I can be. Those same ideas also carry forward in life. Do the best you can, in school, with family and friends, or within the community. I am a big believer in working hard at everything. Anything worth doing in life is worth the hard work. If you want to have success in something one day, you have to work hard to get better. That’s the first step in becoming a better person.” The 19-year-old third- year forward has already had the chance to play on a championship-winning WHL team in 2015-16. As a rookie on the Brandon squad that went all the way to the Memorial Cup, Lewis certainly picked up a few pointers from his former leaders, and has been able to help instill some of those values upon his younger teammates this season. “Personally, confidence is a big thing for me,” Lewis said. “Coming back as an older guy with more strength and size, the speed has definitely sunken in. I’ve spoken to my younger teammates about trying to be more comfortable with the puck, while making those quick decisions.”