YORKTON - The Yorkton Terriers have sent goaltender Tysen Smith to the Melfort Mustangs in exchange for a Player Development Fee (PDF).
The 2004-born Smith out of Prince George, B.C., played 14 games for the Terriers this past season, earning a 1-8 record to go along with a 4.79 goals-against-average (GAA), and a .870 save percentage. In those 14 contests, Smith faced 50 shots, twice, stopping 46, and 45 respectively against Humboldt and Nipawin.
Terrier G.M. and head coach Mat Hehr said the Terriers are solid in goal, and this gives Smith a fresh start.
“We have good goal-tending depth and we wanted to give Tysen a chance as a 19-year-old to go to a place to compete for a starting role,” Hehr told Yorkton This Week. “Since we have two 19-year-olds returning, we wanted to be fair to Tysen and give him the opportunity.
“We thank him for his time in Yorkton and wish him the best of luck in Melfort,”
The Mustangs look at Smith as a player they feel can contribute.
“We believe Tysen has the ability to be a really solid goaltender in our league,” said Mustangs Head Coach and General Manager Trevor Blevins in a team release. “He’s already gained some valuable experience in the SJHL and has the size and mobility to succeed at this level with the right opportunity.”
Prior to joining the Terriers last season, Smith started the 2022/2023 season in the AJHL with the Spruce Grove Saints. He was 3-1, with a 2.76 GAA, and a .883 save percentage. That was followed by a five game stint in the KIJHL with the 100 Mile House Wranglers where he was 2-3 in five appearances, sporting a 3.79 GAA, and a .902 save percentage.
Between 2020 and 2022, Smith played U18 AAA hockey for the Cariboo Cougars, playing in a total of 27 regular season and playoff games.
