Bryson Yaschyshyn won 14 games last year with the Pembina Valley Hawks of the Manitoba U-18 AAA Hockey League and was one of the top netminders in the league.
His 2.60 goals-against average was the fourth-best in the league while his outstanding .932 save percentage was the best. He made 30 saves in game five of their first-round series against the Southwest Cougars
as the 18-year-old propelled his Hawks into the second round. Bryson made some incredible saves in their second-round series against the Brandon Wheat Kings, however, the Wheat Kings were too much to handle.
Brandon won the league and advanced to the national final after winning the Telus Cup West Regionals.
Yaschyshyn solidified himself as a top-tier goalie and while playing with Pembina Valley last year, Bryson also played one game with the Winkler Flyers of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL). He was back with Winkler this year and made 17 saves in a win against the Swan Valley on October 12.
Following that game, the Flyers decided to part ways with Bryson and not long after, he was Dauphin-bound as Doug Hedley brought in Yaschyshyn to serve as the team's backup behind 20-year-old Cole Sheffield.
Bryson joined the Kings and immediately became a great teammate.
"Joining a new culture here in Dauphin has been great for me," said Yaschyshyn. "We have a great group of guys and great coaches. I've really enjoyed my time in Dauphin, I'm proud to be a King."
After winning his first game with Dauphin on November 16 when he made 19 saves in a victory against Swan Valley, Yaschyshyn was outstanding two weeks later making 21 saves in a win against the Virden Oil Capitals. Bryson won his third game with the Kings on January 11 against the Winnipeg Freeze and then struggled in his next start, an 8-0 loss against the Virden Oil Capitals on January 31.
Following two losses last weekend, Bryson got the nod on Sunday as the Kings played at the ICON Arena against the Flyers, the team that didn't believe in Bryson. Bryson was on a mission to prove the Flyers brass wrong and did he ever.
"You always want a good bounce-back game after a tough performance," said Yaschyshyn. "It's always fun going into a game where you want to play against an old team like that. I had all my family and friends there as well, it was a great atmosphere."
Bryson grew up just down the road in Morden and in front of his family and friends, he put on a show, a King Show. He made 34 saves, several of which were highlight reel ones, as Dauphin downed the league-leading and defending champion Flyers, 2-1.
It was Bryson's biggest game of his junior career as he propelled Dauphin to their third win over Winkler this year.
"It was a phenomenal feeling, it's honestly hard to describe how it felt to win that game," continued Yaschyshyn. "Going back and playing against a team, you want to go back and prove something. I have a message on my mask that I look at every day and it says "Prove Them Wrong". You're always going out to prove people wrong because they didn't believe in me, so it was an unbelievable feeling to prove them wrong."
Dauphin returned to the ice Wednesday and suffered a tough loss against the last place in the West Swan Valley Stampeders. Dauphin was denied their first chance to qualify for the Turnbull Cup playoffs. Despite the defeat, Dauphin still sits atop the West in a comfortable spot with 29 wins and 60 points, seven more than the Northern Manitoba Blizzard, and nine more than Neepawa.
As the team reported to the rink on Thursday morning, the page was turned and the focus shifted to preparing for what's next, not what happened in the past.
"It's not often that you walk onto a team that connects so well, our team gets together extremely well," continued Yaschyshyn. "Guys help each other out when things aren't going the way we would have hoped and everyone stands by one another. We have an incredible group and I'm happy to be a part of it."
Dauphin's next test is the Neepawa Titans who will come to Credit Union Place on Friday evening at 7:30. Whether Bryson starts in that game or doesn't, the star from Morden will wear the Kings jersey with pride knowing this is a special group capable of incredible things.
Friday's game is the second of a four-game homestand and Bryson says the vibe heading in is positive.
"To be the best in the West means something," ended Yaschyshyn. "We're out here to prove people wrong and make a big trip in the playoffs this year."
Darnell Duff chats with Bryson Yaschyshyn. You can hear Darnell's full chat with Bryson during the Dauphin Kings Power Play Show after the 4:00 p.m. news, weather, business, and sports on Friday.
Get To Know Yaschyshyn:
What are some of your hobbies? I love being outside whether it's hanging out at the lake or playing other sports. Also love spending time with my friends.
Not many goalies join their teammates at the blue line during O Canada, why do you? I stand alone in that net but at the end of the day, I'm on the ice competing with 19 other guys wearing the same crest. If I have an opportunity to be beside them, that's where I want to be. We're a team.
What is your favourite hockey memory? That other night in Winkler was a great feeling. Also winning the provincial championships when I was 13, was a neat experience.
What is your favourite music? Country
What's your favourite post-game meal? Pizza
What's one destination you'd love to visit? Sweden
What about your favourite childhood memory? I would say playing mini sticks with friends and family
Who is your favourite NHL goalie and why? It was Carey Price because he was always so calm and smooth. Now it would be Juuse Saros or Dustin Wolf because they're small and athletic which is something I can relate to.
