DRYDEN,Ont. – Fire up NHL 21 next September and you’ll probably see a familiar face as you scroll through the farm system. Seeing a fan favourite in the Dog Pound fills you with pride, seeing one make the jump up to the ECHL’s Wichita Thunder is another experience entirely.
Kyle Pouncy, an imposing D-Man from the 2014-15 and 2015-16 SIJHL finalist Ice Dogs, always had a connection with the community. The 6’3” Kamloops, B.C. native was far from home during his time in Dryden. We became his home, however, as he explains,
“Taking the leap of faith to Dryden was one of the best decisions of my life. Dryden presented me with the chance to grow as a person and player. Kurt and his staff helped me understand the importance of the little things and held me accountable to that standard, which prepared me for the next level,” said Pouncy after four solid seasons with the Northland College Lumberjacks of the NCAA’s division III.
He looked back to what impact OUR hometown had on his journey, “I was lucky enough to play with an amazing group of gentlemen, where we had two memorable runs to the finals. The connections I built in the small town of Dryden and the community are something I cherish to this day. Living with the Sveinson family (Mike, Shawna, Dylan), and one of my closest buddies, Matt Houston, were some of the best times of my life, and I’m forever grateful to those individuals, along with many others.”
The Wichita Thunder have been active since 1992 and are currently the ECHL affiliate to the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors and the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers. Pouncy brings an intense two-way defensive talent to the Kansas hockey hotbed.
College hockey is a different animal, and touching base with alumni in the post-secondary hockey programs all over the continent continues to draw out reflections on similar life lessons.
“Like Dryden, I’ve been able to continue to grow on and off the ice at Northland College. Being a student-athlete can teach you a lot, through time management and many other stresses that come every day. Learning to find that balance between hockey and school became the key for me. My coaches at Northland, Seamus and Mike, believed in me from the start, and I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to play my game knowing they had my back,” Pouncy reflected.
“Through that, I was able to develop and improve on the ice, as well as mature in the classroom in those four years. I believe college has truly prepared me for the next step in life, and I’m very blessed to have met the people I have along the way here that made it possible. Every day is a chance to get better and I’ll be relying on that mindset like I have been moving forward.”
All the best as you skate into Wichita as one of #OURpack, Pounce! Once a Dog…