Following a brief taste of the world of professional hockey in the spring, North Battleford’s Blake Tatchell is set for the next step in his career.
The 25-year-old centre signed a one-year contract with the ECHL’s Wichita Thunder last Tuesday after four seasons with the Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves in the NCAA.
“It feels good,” Tatchell said. “I’ve been looking for a chance to play some pro hockey and to be given the opportunity to start my pro career in Wichita is something that I’m very fortunate about.”
After playing five games for the American Hockey League’s Lake Erie Monsters once his college career came to an end in March, Tatchell began to look for a home when the off-season began.
After a number of conversations, including ones with former teammates on the Battlefords North Stars, he found the place he was looking for in Wichita, Kan.
“Everyone told me how great the fan support is there and that the atmosphere at the rink is great,” Tatchell said. “The rink and everything there is top notch.”
Another factor that Tatchell, who was named the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s MVP in 2012 while playing for the North Stars, was excited about was the chance to play under head coach Malcolm Cameron.
Cameron, who was hired by the Thunder in May, has helped to turn around teams in short order.
He led the Long Beach Ice Dogs and Texas Wildcatters to 44 and 46-point improvements respectively in previous ECHL coaching stints and he was behind the bench for the Regina Pats in 2015 when they won their first Western Hockey League East Division title in six seasons.
“He has that experience of bringing teams up and winning games on a regular basis,” Tatchell said. “That’s my number one goal as well and it’s exciting to play for a coach who’s the same way.”
“It’s flattering to hear a player say that and I’m not sure what I’ve done to deserve that praise but I’ll certainly take it,” Cameron added. “I’ve run the gamut over the last few years with being in the minor leagues, with the Pats and working at the Okanagan Hockey Academy in British Columbia for the last couple of seasons. I really enjoy working with the players and I’m probably more of a players' coach.”
The Thunder, who moved into the ECHL in 2014 after more than two decades in the Central Hockey League, have missed the playoffs in the last two seasons and were at the bottom of the league standings in 2015-16.
“Obviously we’re looking to improve on that showing and I’m really excited about the team that we are constructing here,” Cameron said. “I wanted to go with a younger team with first and second-year players that are hungry to move up to the next level.
“Blake fits that to a tee. His coach in college (Matt Thomas) is a friend of mine and he spoke very highly of him. He’s got a good skill level and high hockey IQ and he’s used to playing in tough situations.”
Tatchell, who had 103 points in four seasons with the Seawolves, believes his time in college hockey and his brief stint in the AHL will help him as he transitions into the pro ranks.
“I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to play a lot of minutes during my time in Anchorage,” Tatchell said. “The coaching staff there really gives you a lot of experience to help develop your game and get you ready for the next level.
“Having the chance to be with the Monsters was awesome. They went on to win the Calder Cup and to be in that environment where great leaders and a great team chemistry that’s willing to do whatever it takes to win was pretty cool to see.”
Before the Thunder’s training camp starts Oct. 1, Tatchell will attend the Ottawa Senators rookie camp in September.
Although he attended a development camp with the Winnipeg Jets in July 2014, this will be the first time that Tatchell has been to a pre-season National Hockey League camp.
“When I found out that I will be going to the Senators camp and have a chance to play in a few games, I was pretty pumped up about it,” Tatchell said. “I consider myself lucky to be going there and it’s pretty humbling to have been invited by a team like them.
“I’m looking to make the most of my opportunity. I’ll be one of the older guys there and I don’t have much of a background with the Senators, as I wasn’t signed or drafted by them. I’ll be looking to make a name for myself and get noticed so I’ll be working as hard as I can to achieve my goals.”
