Rookie Myers turning heads in Buffalo
Last Updated: Friday, October 30, 2009 | 4:37 PM ET
By Tim Wharnsby, CBC Sports
The Sabres' hulking defenceman Tyler Myers, centre, ranks fifth in team scoring with two goals and three assists. (Lynne Sladky/Associated Press)Look up, way up.
If you get the reference, that's the way Bob Homme opened his Friendly Giant television program, and that's the way the opposition acts when they glance over at 6-foot-8, 225-pound rookie defenceman Tyler Myers.
The 19-year-old Myers has turned heads nine games into his NHL career. His impressive play and average ice time of 20 minutes, 20 seconds — third-highest on the 7-1-1 Sabres — made the decision easy for Buffalo general manager Darcy Regier and head coach Lindy Ruff to keep Myers and not return him to his junior team, the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL.
Myers, who ranks fifth in team scoring with two goals and three assists, will play in his 10th game, meaning a season of his three-year entry-level contract will kick in, when the hometown Sabres play the rival Toronto Maple Leafs at HSBC Arena on Friday night (7:30 p.m. ET).
"It's exciting, but I obviously don't want to stop after 10 games," Myers said. "It's early in the season and I want to keep improving and show I can build as the schedule gets tougher."
This approach has allowed Myers to rapidly find his place in the hockey world. His father, Paul, is in the oil business, and the family was living in Houston when Tyler was born. He didn't have any interest in hockey until his dad took him to an IHL Houston Aeros game.
Shortly after his first hockey game as a spectator, the family moved to Calgary and Myers began to play. He made up for lost time with his determination.
"If there is a guy who is committed to winning and does it the right way, it is Tyler," Kelowna coach Ryan Huska said. "If you could see the difference in the way he is now compared to when he came to Kelowna as a 16-year-old, this is one guy you don't have to worry about. He brought a bowl of fruit to the rink every day to make sure he's eating right.
"He acts in a very professional manner, and that's why there are no concerns with him."
Huska also marvelled at the humble ways of Myers, once a teammate of Maple Leafs defenceman Luke Schenn.
"One thing about Tyler that's different from a lot of high-end players is that as good as he is on the ice, you would never know by the way he acts off the ice," Huska said. "All of his teammates want to be around him. He's very grounded. You have to credit his parents for keeping him humble. He doesn't let his accomplishments go to his head, and he wants to play his very best every time."
Myers, who was drafted seven spots after Schenn, was queried about his dedication and commitment to eating right.
"All the guys gave me a hard time [in junior], but I enjoyed it," he said.
