Tyson Empey has been a sophomore sensation this winter for the State University of New York at Geneseo men’s hockey team.
As a rookie at the NCAA Division III school last season, Empey had two goals and five points in 11 games. In his second season, the Swift Current product has lit the lamp a team-high 15 times and posted 27 points, which is second on the squad. On Jan. 27, Empey recorded five points, including two goals, in a victory for his nationally ranked Knights.
“I think one of the main things that has helped me increase my point production is how I have taken advantage of the opportunity I have been given to succeed this season,” Empey said. “I have received lots of extra ice time with our assistant coach to work on lots of different skill and scoring drills aside from regular practice time, which have transferred well into our games allowing me to make the most of the opportunity I have been given.”
SUNY-Geneseo head coach Chris Schultz said that last season Empey was on a team deep in senior talent. While Empey didn’t get a lot of ice time, Schultz said that he productively used his off time to get better.
“He went from being a guy in and out of the lineup to first unit power play and on our top line this year,” the head coach said. “This improvement doesn’t happen by accident. He worked tirelessly on the ice last year in the mornings improving his skill development and shooting.”
Schultz said that Empey is a coach’s dream player. Empey has already shown leadership ability and provided Schultz with a great example to point future players to if they find themselves on the outside looking in.
“When he wasn’t getting in last year, he didn’t sulk, complain or even come in the office to discuss why,” Schultz said. “He just got up every morning and made himself better. When we gave him the opportunity at the start of the year, he embraced it and he hasn’t looked back. Maintaining this success level is going to be difficult, but if there is a person that won’t rest on his laurels, it is Tyson.”
Empey is greatly enjoying his time in New York state. Off the ice, he has been accepted into the accounting program and is on track to complete the five-year course of study a year early. Empey has also found another hockey family.
“I love what Geneseo hockey stands for,” he said. “It is a hard working environment that is very competitive and everyone is always putting in extra work to make themselves and the team better. I feel it is a more tight knit team compared to juniors because we are with each other all day every day and there are no trades in college. We are essentially one big family since we live together and have lots of classes together on top of seeing each other every day at the rink.”
Before SUNY-Geneseo, Empey played four years in Flin Flon. Schultz believes playing for the Bombers has helped Empey achieve success in college.
“I think Coach [Mike] Reagan did a great job with him and it goes to show you what great coaching at the junior level can do to help a top program at the D3 level.”
In his final Flin Flon season, Empey captained the Bombers to the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League finals.
“My most memorable moment of the 2015-2016 Bombers season was the playoff run,” he said. “I will never forget the bench clearing brawl against the Weyburn Red Wings after they stole our moose leg. Then being able to go up against first-place North Battleford the next round and knocking them off in five games.”
