Tyson Jost’s game is built on hard work.
The Penticton Vees forward had that instilled in him by his mother, Laura, who raised him and his younger sister, Kacey on her own.
“My mom is one of the hardest-working parents I’ve seen in my life,” said Jost. “She raised me well. I get to look at her everyday and see how hard she works and strives for her goals. I believe that goes a long way in my play.”
Jost, 16, enters his first season in the BCHL after earning a bronze medal at the Telus Cup major midget national championship last spring with the Okanagan Rockets, alongside current teammates Brendan Barry and Liam Finlay. It was a year in which Jost notched 44 goals and 88 points in 36 games. He added another nine goals and 18 points in seven B.C. Major Midget League playoff games.
“It was a great year,” said Jost. “It’s too bad we couldn’t get gold because we thought we had a chance. Bronze isn’t a bad thing at all.”
Possessing obvious offensive skills, Jost also cares about the defensive side and desires to be a two-way player. The Everett Silvertips’ draft pick, seventh overall in 2013, is motivated by playing the highest level possible.
“I’d love to play in the NHL one day. That’s my main goal,” said Jost, who went to Hockey Canada’s under-17 development camp with teammate Dante Fabbro July 31 to Aug. 4.
Right now Jost is focused on getting better each day with the Vees. On the weekend, they earned a split (3-2 win, then 5-3 loss) with the West Kelowna Warriors in a home-and-home set that started in the South Okanagan Events Centre Friday. Jost believes the Vees have a great team and they just need to learn to bring their best effort every game, and added they also need to get things, such as their lines, ironed out. Jost has played with co-captain Cody DePourcq, Matt Serratore and more recently Lewis Zerter-Gossage and Finlay, whom he started playing with at Kelowna’s Program of Excellence (POE) hockey school.
Asked about his own play, Jost said it was pretty good, however, he knows he can be better.
“I think I can bring a little bit more,” said Jost, who joined the Vees through a connection at the POE.
As Jost continues to develop, the Leduc, Alta., native carefully watches what Jonathan Toews of the Chicago Blackhawks and Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins do on the ice.
“It’s hard not to like those players,” said Jost of two of the National Hockey League’s best players. “Being the hockey kid that I am, I always watch YouTube videos on them. I watch their games and study their play. That’s just one of my hobbies. Try to take stuff and implement it to my game.”
Vees coach-general manager Fred Harbinson has liked what he has seen from Jost. Harbinson said that he has noticed Jost get a little frustrated in his first few games. That has come from not hitting the score sheet.
“He made a lot of plays that could have been converted into goals,” said Harbinson. “We’re really happy with him. He’s worked hard over the summer. He’s a kid who is going to have great hockey ahead of him here.”
Vees notes: Forward Cam Amantea was wearing a yellow non-contact jersey in practice. He had shoulder surgery during the off-season and won’t be ready for another month. However, he was cleared to practice and can shoot the puck. The Vees next exhibition game is Sept.14 at 5:30 p.m. when they host the Merritt Centennials.
