Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Ennis ready for Russians

As a preview of Game Five of the ADT Canada-Russia Challenge, Wednesday's Medicine Hat News is running a piece on Team WHL assistant captain, Tyler Ennis. The left wing has been clicking of late, and the international contests should offer the Tigers dazzler an opportunity to shine.
"It’s funny, I mean I’m 19 years old but still look like I’m 12," said Ennis, who now stands 5-foot-9 and weighs 165-pounds -- and frankly looks pretty much like any other 19-year-old dude. "Even making the jump to major junior was a big thing," said Ennis. "I feel like I’ve been here for a while and now I’ve got to make that jump to the next level again." The next level as far as junior hockey goes begins in December, with an invite back to the national junior team selection camp ahead of the post-Christmas tournament in Ottawa. Ennis is already involved in the process. He attended the summer camp in Ottawa under then-head coach Benoit Groulx. After slow start to the WHL season, Ennis has now piled up 13 goals over 26 games. He has points in 15 of his last 17 games and has obviously found his fearless style of play again. "I’m really happy that my game’s turned around and I’m starting to play really well," he said. "I had a slow start, but I feel great. That’s important heading in (to the WHL-Russia games)." "Everybody has it in the back of their heads that it is sort of a tryout game for an invite to the (world junior) camp. I had a lot fun last year when the game was in Medicine Hat. I can go into this game with lots of confidence."