“I want to create offence,” Meunier putting in hard work in the offseason
Being a rookie in the Alberta Elite Hockey League (AEHL) didn’t seem to phase Ty Meunier one bit. In 35 regular season games, the St. Albert, Alberta product scored 27 goals and added 26 assists for 53 points playing for his hometown Raiders. His nine powerplay goals were tied for fifth most in the league, while his seven game winning goals led all players.
“The season started off well, we had a really good team,” Meunier explained. “Our playoffs didn’t quite go how we wanted, but I had really good teammates around me. We had a great team and a great coaching staff. When I went to Prince Albert in December, I felt like my game had raised to another level when I came back for the end of the season. That was super helpful and I’m thankful they called me up for practices and stuff like that.”
Meunier was one of three Raiders prospects to travel to Oakville, Ontario for Hockey Canada’s U17 development camp.
“It was awesome, getting to be a part of anything Hockey Canada is super great,” he said. “The coaching staff was great, and super professional. It was fun meeting guys from the Q and the OHL and just seeing the different talent and skill sets and just taking things away from their game, and them taking things away from your game. It was a really fun experience.
“When Daxon and I found out we were on the same team, we were pretty pumped. I think we have all built a great relationship with each other. Riley and I were in the same hotel, so that was fun hanging out with him. We were learning where each other was on the ice and knowing what we like to do, and that was super helpful.”
As mentioned, Meunier joined the Raiders for a week in December. While he didn’t suit up for any games, he still took away some valuable components being around the team and being on the ice for practice.
“The biggest thing for me was the preparation. Before a practice or before a game, anything like that. Knowing what the other team is doing, knowing what you’re doing, being locked in that way. And then also the speed and pace that the WHL plays at all the time. How you have to think the game is a bit different also because everyone is so fast.”
One thing Meunier has been working on this offseason is getting stronger. His 5’8 frame, add an inch or two for offseason growth, won’t be the tallest in the league, but he is confident that he will have the ability to compete with anyone in the league.
“I’ve been working a lot on my strength this offseason and getting ready to compete with these older, bigger guys. As a winger, I want to be strong on the walls, corners, that kind of thing, making sure I’m using my body to protect the puck and make plays that way. I want to create offence while still being reliable defensively, that’s a big thing for me.”
