Turko’s smarts overcome size disadvantage

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 03/06/2022 (1481 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When you’re not the biggest guy on the ice, you better be one of the most smartest.

Five-foot-five, 124-pound forward Brady Turko was selected by the Brandon Wheat Kings in the fifth round of the most recent Western Hockey League draft, and the talented right winger from McCreary grew up understanding the challenges he faced.

“Some guys that are big don’t really have their head up that much when you think about it,” Turko said. “As a small guy, you always have to be looking around, scanning everything because when a defenceman steps up on you, you’re not going to stand there, you’re going to go flying.

“You really have to learn to keep your head up younger than you usually do when you’re smaller.”

In 32 games with the under-15 AAA Brandon Wheat Kings squad that won a provincial championship, Turko finished third in team scoring with 81 points on 30 goals and 51 assists.

After the draft, Wheat Kings director of player personnel Chris Moulton said Turko plays a cerebral game.

“Brady is a smart player who has the ability to read plays and create offence,” Moulton said. “He’s also a well-balanced guy who understands how to play away from the puck. He also has a chance to be a bigger player as he gets older.”

Turko was skating before he turned three with his brother Easten with the encouragement of parents Taras and Amanda.

“My dad used to make a rink at our old house and me and my brother used to skate,” Turko said. “He taught me how to skate when I was around two and a half.”

Taras Turko played college hockey with Utah, and after the program folded, skated with Minot State. Following university, he played senior AA hockey, mainly as a high-scoring forward in the North Central Hockey League with the McCreary Mustangs.

Brady began to play organized hockey at age four or five, always skating up front, although he took his turns in net when he could.

“Playing hockey every day is so fun,” Turko said. “I just can’t explain it. It’s everything about the sport, meeting new people. When you get on the ice and you’re playing with all your buddies and you build new friendships, it’s so fun.

“I wouldn’t trade hockey for anything in the world.”

Odut moved to Brandon to attend the Western Canada Hockey Academy last season, where he trained under a group that included primary instructors Dave Lewis and Craig Anderson. They also happened to be the coaches for the U15 AAA Wheat Kings.

“It was a great year,” Turko said. “Our coaching staff was incredible. I’ve had coaches since I was three or four years old and none of them compare to how good our coaching staff was this year.

“Dave Lewis and Craig Anderson both have kids who went through the process so they know everything there is to know about hockey. Just to learn from them really helped me a lot to develop and become a better hockey player.”

Needless to say, when you’re playing on the top U15 team in the province, the scouts are watching. Turko said he did his best not to pay attention to them.

“They tell you to try not to think about it, and I didn’t think about it that much,” Turko said. “You go out there and try and play as hard as you can and do what you do every day.”

He certainly plays a dynamic game. Turko seems to be around the puck a lot, and seldom gets hit hard by opponents.

He said that’s part of his best hockey attributes.

“I have great vision,” Turko said. “I see the ice really well, and I’m a good playmaker. I’m a good skater, I’m good on my edges.”

But like all youngsters — Turko doesn’t turn 15 until mid-September — he considers his game to be a work in progress.

Turko said getting taller and stronger would help, but he also wants to improve his shot and quickness on his first three strides.

“Every little thing helps,” Turko said. “You’re not perfect at anything. NHL players are working on everything every day, so I can get better at everything.”

Still, Brandon’s scouts obviously saw a lot to like.

When Turko’s name was called, he was at the home of fellow Wheat King draftee Easton Odut with a bunch of their U15 AAA teammates.

“I was just so happy,” Turko said. “It’s like my second hometown. I’m originally from McCreary but it couldn’t have worked out any better. We moved here to play hockey for Brandon and to get drafted is just a million times better.”

His phone immediately blew up with messages and calls of congratulations.

“I almost wanted to put it away and just enjoy the moment a bit more instead of texting everybody,” Turko said. “It was crazy.”

He didn’t have long to wait after the draft to get his first taste of the organization. Just eight days later, Turko and 28 of his fellow Wheat Kings camp were attending prospects camp, with off-ice activities at Westoba Place and on-ice sessions at J&G Homes Arena.

“I had a little bit of nerves coming into camp,” Turko admitted. “Being only five-(foot)-five and skating with a bunch of guys that are six-foot-three like Charlie Elick and Roger McQueen, it’s been kind of a relief even that I know I can skate with those guys.

“It’s nice to be here and skate with all those guys and get the experience now before you go to Wheat Kings training camp with the bigger guys.”

Turko called it motivational, adding he appreciated the efforts by the team to make him a better player. He added now it’s up to him to fulfil his side of the bargain.

“I’m obviously excited but the work is just beginning,” Turko said. “Just because you get drafted, that doesn’t mean you’re going to play on the team. You still have to get better every day.

“It’s a great experience and I’m super proud to be drafted to the Wheat Kings but the work is just beginning. It doesn’t change my work ethic because I got drafted.”

» pbergson@brandonsun.com

» Twitter: @PerryBergson