Brown settles into his role
Pats expecting a lot from No. 1 goalie who proved he belonged last season
There was a lot going on behind Tyler Brown’s mask last season.
Although he may have appeared calm, cool and collected in his first season as the Regina Pats’ No. 1 goalie, Brown admits there were times when the spotlight was a little overwhelming.
That’s no longer the case as a more self-assured version of Brown prepares to open the WHL regular season on Friday (7 p.m., Brandt Centre) against the Prince Albert Raiders.
“I’m a lot more calm,” explains Brown, who went 21-19-1-5 last season with a 3.15 GAA, .909 save percentage and two shutouts. “Just having that experience under my belt, there’s not as much pressure as there used to be. I’ve adapted to the starter role and it’s a big weight off my shoulders instead of the huge load I felt last year.”
Brown says he’s a lot more confident than the guy who opened last season as Regina’s No. 2 goalie — the same role he occupied as a wide-eyed rookie in 2014-15.
After 12 months as their backup, the Pats decided a promotion was in order. They traded veteran Daniel Wapple on Nov. 5, opening the door for Brown to take over and for top prospect Jordan Hollett to become his understudy.
It proved to be an effective combination for the Pats, who posted a winning record (36-28-3-5) and upset the Central Division-champion Lethbridge Hurricanes in the first round of the playoffs. Regina moved on to a second-round series against the heavily favoured Red Deer Rebels and came within an eyelash of eliminating the 2016 Memorial Cup hosts.
When the dust settled from an agonizing 2-1 Game 7 loss, the Pats ultimately put their setback in perspective, viewing it as a sign of bigger and better things to come.
That included Brown, who was one of the team’s true playoff standouts (2.71 GAA, .916 SP, two shutouts). The 19-year-old netminder is drawing upon that experience as he commences a new season as Regina’s go-to guy between the pipes.
“I’m ready for it,” says Brown. “Especially after getting that experience in the playoffs, going into a Game 7, learning how to play at home, on the road, all types of situations. This being my third year, it’s going to be a lot different. Having that experience under my belt is really going to lift me up.”
Brown will be counted on to help carry a team that is striving to join the league’s elite. If the Pats are going to achieve that lofty objective, they’ll need a goaltender who can handle the weight.
Based upon Brown’s performance last season, head coach/GM John Paddock is confident he has the right man for the job.
“Obviously he has to repeat it and be even better,” says Paddock. “(Brown) is a veteran guy now. I haven’t really paid attention to him or Jordan. You could say we have really good (players at) centre ice but I also think we have really good goaltending.”
Although Hollett is Regina’s goalie of the future, Brown remains the clear-cut starter of the present. Instead of looking over his shoulder, Brown’s energy is being channelled into taking his own game to another level.
“You always want to be pushing yourself,” said Brown, who has developed a close relationship with his backup. “We’re really good buddies. (Hollett) is a great goalie. We battle each other in practice. He’s 6-foot-5 and 200 pounds looking at the (NHL) draft this year so he’s definitely going to be pushing me to be better as well.”
The Pats believe their entire team will be better as a result.
“We have tons of confidence in Brownie,” said veteran Chase Harrison. “We know we have two good goalies. Brownie has come a long way. He’s definitely a top starting goalie in this league and we have all the confidence behind him.”