The leaders of the Trinity Western University (TWU) mens hockey team think they may have uncovered a diamond in the rough in 麻豆社国产minor hockey product Dylan Mooney.
Mooney, who stands 6 feet, 7 inches tall, was picked up by the club this summer and TWU head coach Dwayne Lowdermilk said hes looking forward to seeing how Mooney develops over the course of his first British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey (BCIHL) season.
Im very excited to work with Dylan as he has a lot of hidden potential, Lowdermilk said. He is a very good defensive defenceman and his size, at 6-7, is an obvious asset. He possesses a lot of similar qualities as some of the big defenceman in the NHL. Dylan will be a work in progress but it will be a fun season to watch him develop amongst our strong defensive core.
Mooney played his entire minor hockey career in 麻豆社国产and was a key member on several top local teams. Back in 2005, he was part of a banner-winning Pee Wee rep team that featured the likes of current WHL defenceman Dalton Thrower, MJHL goalie Corey Koop and KIJHL defenceman Trevor LeBlanc.
He also participated in the Midget Tier 3 B.C. Hockey Championships when they took place in 麻豆社国产in 2009 and last season played for both the 麻豆社国产Midget Eagles rep team and the 麻豆社国产Wolf Pack Junior B team.
Mooney said he was contacted by Lowdermilk after the coach saw his profile on a recruitment website.
I didnt really have an option for this coming year and my parents put me on a recruitment website, which was where Dwayne found me, he said. It kind of went from there and I thought I might as well get started with my education while Im playing hockey.
He admitted its been a change from playing against 16- and 17-year-olds to playing against older, more mature players.
It is intimidating seeing guys with beards coming down on you, he said. Im still 18 and some of the guys are 23 or 24. Its a pretty big step obviously, but Im slowly getting used to it.
Despite the challenges of playing against older and more skilled players, Mooney said hes enjoying his time so far at TWU.
Its different and a big change, but everybodys nice and my teammates are great, he said. Ive bonded with them pretty quickly so far and Im totally enjoying it.
Mooney admitted that he looks at this season as a time to develop and said he thinks the coaching staff should help prepare him for the future. Lowdermilk is a former defenceman and was drafted in the third round by the New York Islanders before playing a short stint with the Washington Capitals.
Theyre teaching me how to play better defensively for a big guy, Mooney said. Theyre trying to teach me how to play kind of like [Zdeno] Chara of the Bruins. Thats what Im aiming for too.
He also pointed out that hes trying to emulate teammate Aaron Heggie, who stands 6-6, and has developed into a strong player under Lowdermilk.
TWU is winless after three games in the BCIHL but the season is still young and the team hopes to build on last years fourth-place finish. Mooney and the Spartans will next travel to Eastern Washington University to take on the Eagles for a back-to-back set of games on Friday and Saturday (Oct. 21 and 22).
For more information on the team, visit www.twu.ca./athletics/hockey.
