The NHL draft outlook understands a situation where pressure is clogged with creases outside the ice.

Tyler Brennan is one or two about being in the middle I know one thing. In a situation where the pressure is tight.

The top-ranked North American goalkeeper ahead of the next NHL draft saw a lot of rubber in his first complete Western Hockey League campaign.

It was a great change after both the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons were shortened or blocked by the COVID-19 pandemic.

But Brennan's understanding of stressful moments isn't just about fighting through the screen or facing shooters one-on-one.

His father, Jarod, works as an air traffic controller — a tough career path that requires a sharp focus and calm attitude on the laser.

Tyler believes that some of these attributes have been scraped off and helped to follow the path of choice.

"Examine genetics a bit. I love it," Brennan said when asked to compare his dad's craft with his own. rice field. "No cracks under pressure. You handle stressful situations really well. I think it comes from him and having to do it in this job.

"Because it's a goalkeeper, it's a good attribute."

Young Brennan once sat in the air traffic control tower and learned by looking at the entire shift.

"It's cool to see how he works and what's happening," recalled Prince George Cougars goalkeeper. "I kept in mind how stressful the job could be. I just thanked how much work they had to do to keep everyone safe in the sky.

"Give me all the other levels of gratitude."

Like countless other hockey players with big dreams, Brennan has the opportunity to lace his skates. I have a new gratitude. With the shutdown of

COVID-19, he played only 19 WHL games and made four international appearances from the start of the 2019-20 schedule to the start of this past season.

And there was certainly a stressful time for untested goalkeepers who needed live action to get the scout's attention.

"It definitely went through my heart a little," said the 18-year-old. "But my idea is," If I have a chance to play, I'll make the most of it. I'll do my best and improve as much as I can in the off-season. "

"When I get the chance to play and show off myself, I'll do it to the best of my ability."

Brennan has a schedule for 2021-22, Finished with a save rate of .899 and an ERA of 3.58. This is against the average of the Prince George team, full of newcomers, who made the WHL playoffs successful.

Winnipeg's natives increased the star's .954 save rate in a four-game sweep by the Portland Winterhawks, allowing seven goals in 153 shots.

NHL Central Scouting Director Dammer said Brennan's figures at this stage include the pedestrian 11-25-2 mark with four shutouts during the regular season. He said it was secondary. Goalkeeper development.

"You are carrying cargo for your team, you see a lot of packs," Ma said. "Goalkeepers need play time. They have to learn to be mentally tough to survive in their position and to survive at the NHL level. A good team, a winning team. It's hard to get the job done by playing in. It's just as hard to play in a team that may not be doing well.

"They're 17, 18 (years old) team No. As long as you're playing as 1 (optional), this is a pretty good indicator of trust from your organization, trust from your teammates. "

Brennan is a pandemic. I spent some of my time with one of my teammates at the frigid Prince George's outdoor skating rink to keep it sharp.

"He shot me three hours a day. I was fully equipped," said the 6-foot-4,185-pound goalkeeper. “I adapted to the situation and made the most of it.”

Brennan took full advantage of the opportunity this season as the scouts watched. He was the number one goalkeeper in North America for NHL Central Scouting in the medium term and stayed there when the final list was announced in May.

"He's growing in many different areas," said Mark Lamb, head coach and general manager of the Cougars. "He's a really smooth and calm person, but the way he scores goals, his technical games are incredible for his age."

And the former NHL The center sees some similarities with one of the best in the game.

"I always say he's like Carey Price. He's just like roaming the net," Ram said. "When he plays that way, you feel like he's not going to be scored.

" Everything is so calm. "

Guide traffic to the sky It's the same as what you need for your dad's job.

"Many things are happening in his work," Brennan said. "A lot of things are happening while playing online.

" You are the last line of defense. "

This report by Canadian Press was published in July 2022. First published on the 4th.

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