New goalie adds colour to Cats
(Sports) Monday, 01 October 2007, 23:43 PST
JIM SWANSON, Citizen Sports Editor
The first hints that Tommy Tartaglione is a California kid come not from his flowing locks -- they are black, not blond -- or the Italian last name that’s more suited to New Joysey than Long Beach.
Nope. The first proof he’s a SoCal guy is the South High Ice Hockey hoodie.
Yes, ice hockey. Not simply ‘hockey,’ the way a rink rat from Moose Jaw would say it. Ice hockey is a phrase he uses himself.
“There’s two different types of hockey -- road hockey and ice hockey,” explained the 19-year-old goaltender, acquired last week by the Prince George Cougars to give incumbent starter Real Cyr more than a gentle nudge in practice.
“I have to make sure everyone knows what I’m talking about. South High is my school -- they wouldn’t let me be the goalie, though, because it’s more rec, so I was a defenceman and led the team in penalties. I was a power-play specialist, stand in front of the net and tip in point shots. I got eight or nine that way.”
He won’t have to do that for the Cougars. Though Prince George head coach Drew Schoneck wouldn’t commit, those who head to CN Centre for tonight’s game against the Tri-City Americans -- plenty of prime seats available -- can expect to see Cyr on the bench watching Tartaglione get his first start as a Cougar.
Cyr has been torched for all three losses through the early days of the regular season, and he only finished one of them. His 8.26 goals-against average and .786 save percentage are screaming for a breather.
“I haven’t made the call (on tonight’s starter) yet,” said Schoneck. “Tartaglione came in and did a great job after Real was kicked out. He’s animated, he moves the puck well -- we’ve already nicknamed him Denis Lemieux (from Slapshot). He’s been on some teams and learned what it takes to play, and we want him to come in and push Real to make each other better.
“He’s happy to be here. I know in the past sometimes when a guy gets traded up here it’s like a death sentence, but he couldn’t be happier. He just wants an opportunity.”
Tartaglione, the fourth Californian and fifth American on the roster, has been labeled many things in his junior career -- among them, unorthodox, flamboyant, mobile and enthusiastic.
“My favourite one is, ‘makes the save,’” said the former high school football defensive back.
“A buddy of mine told me their scouting report said: ‘No style, but does what he can to make the save.’ That describes me right there.”
Tartaglione, who hails from Harbour City, Calif., which is next to Long Beach, is with his fourth WHL franchise. He arrived as a Vancouver Giant, was traded to the Regina Pats when he got caught in the crossfire of the Dustin Slade controversy, and was picked up by the expansion Edmonton Oil Kings over the summer. After being cut by Edmonton, Tartaglione was in Surrey getting icetime with the BCHL Eagles, awaiting a new WHL home.
He met up with the Cougars in Chilliwack on Thursday night, and has fit in well. The personable netminder has been called “a good teammate” by former organizations.
“I’ve been caught behind 17-year-olds my entire life, someone younger than me, so it’s nice to finally be the younger guy and get the chance to have someone mentor me,” he said.
Tartaglione stopped all 10 shots he faced in Saturday’s 6-4 loss, jumping the boards after Cyr engaged in a mid-ice scrap with Bruins starter Matt Esposito.
“It was nice to come into a no-pressure situation and get the rust out,” said Tartaglione, who posted good numbers for Regina last winter -- 10-6 with three shutouts, a 2.88 goals-against average and 89.9 save percentage.
“I was watching the line brawl, saw some good fights, then all of a sudden I saw Cyrsie going, and he was on top of the guy, just pummeling him. It gave me a laugh and took all the pressure off.”
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Give CYR a Chance
