Game On Magazine - April 2017 GameOn-Apr2017-P001-144-ONLINE | Page 102

UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA BISONS
first season with the Bisons, Spriggs played seven games. In Year 2,
he played 15. Last season, he started 22 of 28 and was sensational.
He was sixth in Canada West in goals against average at 2.82, fifth
in the conference with a .913 save percentage and third with three
shutouts. He had a 12-8-2 record and was the major reason why the
Bisons made the playoffs.
Not bad for a young man who is also a brilliant student, carrying “a
high grade point average,” at the Asper School of Business.
“School is great, I love it,” said Spriggs, who is already prepared
for a future without hockey. “I’ve
been really fortunate throughout
my career to have great teachers
and coaches and people who have
helped me out along the way. It’s
funny, but three years ago, I never
would have thought that playing
professional hockey was even an
option for me, but this year, it did
cross my mind. I’m going to spend some time with Coach Sirant – if
anyone knows about playing in Europe or in minor pro hockey, it’s
him. I’d like to see if I could make it happen.”
Spriggs started playing the game with the Richmond Kings at the
Silverstone Arena.
“I remember, my dad would get me up at 6 a.m. for a 6:50 game,”
he laughed. “I started playing goal at seven with rented pads from
the community centre – those old brown Coopers with a blocker the
size of a pizza. But I really enjoyed playing goal and no one else
wanted to do it. Since then, I’ve played just for the love of the game.”
Although that could be changing.
Spriggs played A-1 PeeWee, then Double A bantam and minor
midget. In Grade 11 and 12 he played high school hockey at Massey
and then he got an invitation to Blues camp. He says that to this day,
he owes his career to Don MacGillivray.
102 GAME ON
2017 PLAYOFF EDITION
“I guess he liked me,” Spriggs said. “He invited me out and let me
stay on as the third goalie. Then I won the No. 2 goalie’s job and then
he gave me a shot at No. 1 and we had that great run in the playoffs.
That opened the doors for me at the U of M. I thank Don every day
for the opportunities he’s given me.”
Those opportunities have paid off because Spriggs, as he’s ma-
tured, has developed an uncanny knack for improving at every level.
He’s also a big goalie at 6-foot-1, 190-pounds so he certainly has the
tools.
“He hasn’t even reached his full
potential yet,” said Sirant bluntly.
“There are still more levels to his
game.
“What I love about Byron is that
he’s always positive, enthusiastic
and energetic. He loves practice,
loves to train and loves to compete.
He’s just a great guy to be around.
He brings that positive attitude to everything he does. He’s an en-
thusiastic guy who is technically sound and good athletically. For a
goalie it’s the perfect combination.”
Perhaps Spriggs’ biggest issue at this stage is where does he go
next? He has one more season with the Bisons and then it’s either
on to his MBA or maybe a detour to the ECHL or Europe.
“I’m going to talk to Mike (Sirant) first,” Spriggs said. “He has a lot
of contacts with his time in Europe so I’m going to ask him. I’d like to
play pro hockey. Right now, I’m just not sure how to take that step.”
If he chooses, that next step will be a big one. However, it must be
remembered that this is a young man who went from high school
hockey directly to Jr. A directly to U SPORT. Those were all big
jumps.
And heck, he’s already worn a pro uniform. How hard could it be?
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