Nighthawks captain Tataryn embracing final year in MJHL

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 30/10/2023 (612 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Brett Tataryn has the Niverville Nighthawks aiming high for their second season in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL).

Tataryn, a 2003-born forward from Argyle, was named as the team’s inaugural captain last year, and has returned to Niverville with the goal of helping the team take their next steps in junior hockey.

The Nighthawks were able to make the playoffs last season before falling in the first round to the Portage Terriers.

“We have a couple guys who have been in playoffs, all the returners,” Tataryn said after a shootout victory over Portage.

“Hopefully we can get the younger guys on the same pace as us, and we can expect a lot to come, hopefully make a big push in the playoffs.”

Welcoming new players to the fold is one of Tataryn’s favourite roles as captain.

“I was in the same spot as them, being a rookie coming in for my first year of junior,” Tataryn said.

“If you make them as comfortable as they can be, it helps everything, it makes it way smoother.”

Tatayrn played a key role in Niverville’s big win against the Terriers, potting a first period powerplay goal to break the tie. The captain carved out space in front of the net, and showed great reactions to knock home a loose puck after a point shot was tipped on goal.

“I wanted that one pretty bad, it felt good to get that one,” Tatayrn said.

“You gotta be ready for anything, deflections, or even like that play, tight in the net.”

Despite some strong play, Tataryn had been limited offensively this season, before exploding for a hat-trick during Niverville’s 4-0 win over the OCN Blizzard during the MJHL showcase Oct. 24.

Nighthawks general manager and head coach Kelvin Cech was full of praise for his captain.

“(Tataryn’s) habits are incredible, he cares so much and the guys follow his lead, whatever position they’re playing,”

“Huge performance from him, he’s a leader for a reason.”

Tataryn’s selection of captain was an easy one, as he lead the Nighthawks as a 2003-born player last season. He said he didn’t feel any pressure to change his style in his second year as captain for the same junior franchise.

“You’ve just got to lead by example,” Tataryn said.

“I’m not really trying to force anything. You’ve just got to set the standard as high as you can, and hopefully guys will follow you.”

That standard included working hard in the off-season.

“I’m proud of everybody, how hard they worked over the summer,” Tataryn said.

“We started pretty hot, kind of got stuck up for a bit, but then found our way again, now we’re rolling again.”

The top three teams in the MJHL’s east division have already distanced themselves from the pack, as Niverville has already opened up a 12-point lead on fifth-place Selkirk. The top four teams in the division will make the playoffs.