Diversions
Tmej leaves his mark on Western Capitals.
SUMMERSIDE – Dominik Tmej’s experience with the Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals extends far beyond wins and losses.
It’s about resurrecting a career, giving back and leaving a lasting impression on a community, both on and off the ice, that has become his second home.
“I’ve said this story a few times the last couple of days and I always get emotional,” said Tmej in an interview with the Journal Pioneer. “I just want to thank (Capitals general manager) Pat McIver and everyone because when I got cut from Bathurst (of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League), I thought my hockey career was over.
“Summerside was the only team that took a chance on me and I will always be grateful for that because they picked me up at a time when I was really low. They had my back, gave me an opportunity and I made it my goal that I would never let them down.”
Tmej, who was born in the Czech Republic and moved to Bradenton, Fla., which is near Tampa Bay, when he was 13 years old, held up his end of the deal. In 88 regular-season games during three years in the Maritime Junior Hockey League (MHL), he posted a record of 70-10-3 (won-lostovertime losses), a 2.16 goalsagainst average, a .933 save percentage and an astounding 17 shutouts.
“He’s one of the best goalies, statistically, to ever play here over three years,” said Caps head coach Billy McGuigan. “That’s a testament to his work ethic, character and preparation every day.”
Unfortunately for Tmej and the Caps, his final season came to an unexpected end last week, when the Canadian Junior Hockey League cancelled all playoffs, along with regional and national championships, due to the coronavirus (COVID-19).
“Obviously, we didn’t expect this,” said Tmej, 20. “It’s out of our hands and it’s out of our league’s hands.”
It doesn’t make accepting the news any easier, especially for a team with championship aspirations that posted a league-best 42-7-3 regularseason record.
Tmej was part of the team’s core group, including defenceman Brodie MacMillan, and forwards Brodie MacArthur, Kallum Muirhead, Zach Thususka, Josh MacDonald and Cam Roberts, that played together the last three years. MacArthur and Muirhead were in their fourth season with the Caps.
“We wanted to win it all for each other,” said Tmej. “That’s why it hurts so much for all of us.
“We have been building up to this for quite some time now. It’s just a bad ending to a beautiful story.”
FIRST CHAPTER
The first chapter of that story was written in the fall of 2017.
“The way we got him was pretty unexpected,” said McGuigan. “Dave Kennedy, who was the goalie coach at the time in Bathurst, reached out to our goalie coach, Eric Morency, and that kind of got the ball rolling. He was essentially the third goalie in Bathurst and he wanted to place him here in Summerside with us.”
McIver swung a deal for Tmej’s MHL rights and the rest is history.
“At that time, we were a team struggling and we had doubts if we could make the playoffs that year,” said McIver, who described the trade as a franchise-changing moment. “Our whole season changed the minute Dominik walked into the room.
“Come to the end of the season we were one of the top teams and we lost in
Game 7 of the division final to Edmundston, which won the league. With a couple of bounces, we may have been able to win the league that year.
“Last year, we finished first overall and this year, we finished first (overall) again and Dominik was a big part of that success.”
McIver said Tmej is a perfect example of a young player for kids to mentor.
“Dom’s work ethic is second to none,” said McIver. “He was always well prepared, focused, the first guy on the ice, last guy leaving.
“I admire his work ethic the most and his desire to win.
“Not to mention, he’s an unbelievable person and has been just a pleasure to deal with over the last three years.”
When told of Tmej’s comments, McIver downplayed his role and said he deserves all the credit for his success.
“He didn’t come back sulking and he got right to work,” said McIver. “I think he reeled off six shutouts in his first 10 games or something like that. We knew we had something special then for sure.”
MEMORIES
Tmej said he leaves the Caps with many fond memories and friendships.
“I don’t think I have had so much fun going to a rink and being around a group of guys as I have the past three years,” said Tmej. “Zach Thususka and I, and our families, became close as well. It’s those friendships you don’t realize how important and amazing they are in your life until now.”
Tmej, who admitted it's an emotional time for the players knowing some of them may never see each other again, said it was a pleasure playing in front of the Caps’ passionate fans.
“We not only feel bad for us, but we also feel bad for them because I know they believed in us, wanted us to win this year and celebrate with us,” said Tmej.
McGuigan said the Caps had “zero issues” with Tmej and praised his willingness to give back to the community, including his work leading a Summerside peewee team through off-ice workouts last season.
“It was nice to be able to give back not just to a team, but to a city that gave me so much over the last three years,” said Tmej, who is in no rush to leave P.E.I.
“I have a girlfriend here now and part of my life is here now,” he continued. “I am going to stay here as long as I can, then go and see my family for a bit and come back up here to train with Morgan McNeill.
“As I said, it’s been three years here, but it feels I could stay here forever.”