Brandon’s Tyler Coulter is in the midst of the best season of his pro-career career (ECHL’s Rapid City Rush). Heading into tonight’s game against Ryan White and the Wichita Thunder, the former Brandon Wheat King currently sits second in league scoring with 42 points in 40 games.
The longer than normal offseason provided Coulter, now 24, with the opportunity to further work on his skating and skillset. “This summer was a long a 9 months away from hockey games but probably the most I have skated in any offseason with Dave Lewis and Riley Dudar working on getting faster and improving my offensive game” he told bdnmb.ca. In between rounds of golf at Shilo and Pleasant Valley, he also found time to instruct at the Hockey Factory with Ty and Dave Lewis and skated with the Manitoba pro group.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, he and his teammates have had to adjust accordingly. “Once you enter the arena for any game you do have to stay around your dressing room and away from anyone not in your teams bubble. So the routine of going for a run or doing stairs has changed to skipping rope or riding a bike.” While it’s very different not playing in front full crowds, he feels as though the level of competition has improved with only half the league playing this year.
Away from the rink, Coulter has managed to keep himself occupied. “It has been different with social distancing but we are lucky to be able to have our own gym and lots of outdoors activities like trail biking, fishing and golfing all within 20 minutes.”
