Things are different with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic but the season rolls on for Tyler Tucker and the Utica Comets.
Tucker, who hails from northeast of Thunder Bay in Longlac, was a seventh round pick by the St. Louis Blues in the 2018 Entry Draft and is enjoying playing in New York state.
“Our team hasn’t had any issues with COVID-19 cases yet,” says Tucker. “Obviously it would be good to not have any all year but you can’t predict these things.”
The adjusted schedule means the Comets are only playing four teams during the regular season. They’re situated in the North Division along with these other teams:
- Binghamton Devils
- Hershey Bears
- Lehigh Valley Phantoms
- Rochester Americans
- Syracuse Crunch
- Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
When discussing Saturday’s game against the Devils: “I know we have to be tested before we leave the rink in Utica. Once we’re on the bus, we’re not allowed to stop at any travel centres or anything like that. That means it’s a straight trip to the arena in Binghampton and then home afterwards to limit exposure as much as possible.”
Tucker’s day getting drafted into the National Hockey League was, according to him, uneventful.
“It was a special day but I was working the morning of the draft,” Tucker notes. “I remember just watching it and seeing other guys get picked. In fact one of my good buddies [Andrei Svechnikov, Carolina Hurricanes] was the second overall pick in that draft. When I was picked, I was excited and loved getting all of the texts and calls of support.”
While playing in the OHL with the Barrie Colts, Tucker had a two game stint in the American Hockey League with the former San Antonio Rampage who are now known as the Henderson Silver Knights.
The Utica Comets are a shared affiliate between the St. Louis Blues and Vancouver Canucks this season.
