Gould taking big strides in third WHL season
The numbers don’t lie when evaluating Rylan Gould’s evolving impact on the Swift Current Broncos. The Headingly, MB native totalled five goals and 12 assists in his first 130 Western Hockey League games. Gould already has nine goals and 24 assists in 33 games this season.
“I think a lot of it has to do with the summer I had and the trust within the coaching staff, the management, and my teammates. My first few years in the league I was just kind of getting my feet wet and seeing how things are. Now this year I’m just sticking with what got me here and just continuing to work hard and prepare well. Working with Riley Dudar I feel like that helped out a lot. Just getting my confidence up, I think my confidence has been a pivotal point for my season so far,” said the 5’10’’ forward.
“He’s one of those special people,” added Interim Head Coach Taras Mcewen. “He’s one of those guys that we talk about that shows up to the rink and wants to get better and just takes it day by day. I think he’s done a really good job of that this year. I’ve really liked how he came in. I thought he did a lot of work in the summertime to show up ready and be prepared. He wanted to be given more responsibility and when we’ve given him that he has taken that and run and been able to play up and down our line-up with anybody. He’s just one of those guys that’s been really consistent in the way he works on the ice and that’s been the biggest difference. The offense will come if you play the right way consistently and that’s something he’s done and the production has followed that.”
“It’s just not really being satisfied with anything because it’s a long season and you’re only as good as your next game and your next shift right. It’s just waiting for the next moment and being prepared for it,” added Gould.
Gould was a second round pick, 42nd overall, in the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft. He made the Broncos as a 16-year-old and put up 13 points in 66 games in 2021-22. Last season, his offensive production regressed to four points in 64 games.
“I wouldn’t say frustration, but it was doing what the team needed at the time,” explained Gould. “I got caught up in some depth and whatnot. I told my teammates and coaching staff that whatever the team needs I’ll do. At the time they wanted me to play a role focused on defense and just playing on the fourth line as a solid two-way player. I took that on the chin and just tried to learn everything, learn something new every day, and just try and get better every single day. I feel like that kind of helped me go into this season where I’m just not taking any games or moments for granted because you’re opportunity can be thin, so I’m just playing the role of whatever the team needs.”
Gould has seen his role grow immensely during his third season.
“He kind of does everything for us with the way he gets in on the fore-check and disrupts plays and uses his stick. He’s definitely not our most skilled player, but he’s someone that will work consistently and he’s good in the face-off dot, so the ability to go on the power play and help with recoveries and being in good spots and supporting the puck has been a huge add to our power play,” explained Mcewen.
“It’s been great. I just want to do whatever I can to help the team win. It’s nice to be trusted in all situations. It’s been great so far,” said Gould, who has also seen plenty of time on the penalty kill as well.
“I think he’s a smart player and sees things very quickly. His ability to be committed and block shots and wants to get better. He’s a real positive player on the ice and in the dressing room. He’s just one of those guys that you really like and we’ve leaned on him in the first half for sure,” explained Mcewen.
The Broncos have been locked in a heated Eastern Conference playoff race all season. That pressure was intensified in November when Head Coach Devan Praught was suspended for an on-ice incident during practice. Praught and the team eventually ‘mutually parted ways’ once the five-game suspension concluded.
“I think we’ve dealt with it well so far. It’s obviously a tough situation to go through at the start of a season, but at the end of the day all we can control is our attitude and effort. We can’t control stuff that’s above us, all we can do is focus on how we play. I feel like we’ve been focusing on our game and our play and I think it’s been good so far,” said Gould.
The Broncos went into the holiday break in seventh spot in the Eastern Conference with a 16-14-1-2 record.
“I feel like we’re confident going into the second half. I think as a group we know that we’ve got a lot better in us, which is encouraging because we haven’t played to the standard that we feel we can hold ourselves to. I think there’s a lot of stuff to be happy about, but there’s a lot of room for improvement. We’re excited to hit the second half in full stride.”
The Broncos were only three points behind the Moose Jaw Warriors for third leaving them plenty of room to climb the standings.
“I think our consistency. I think we find if we play our game every night we can beat any team in the league, so just consistently playing our game and sticking to our process I feel will get us over the hump.”
The Broncos are still searching for their first playoff appearance since winning the league championship in 2018.
“I feel like we see ourselves as a contender this season. I think that we should sit at the top of the standings, I think that’s where we belong. It’s almost like it’s enough talking about it and now it’s our time to go prove it,” said Gould.