The Bielik twins’ similarities and differences have helped them earn roles as Virden Oil Capital rookies.
David is contributing on the Manitoba Junior Hockey League team’s blue line. Joey is helping the team up front. While the 5-foot-8, 145-pounders play different positions and roles, Oil Caps head coach Tyson Ramsey said the 18-year-old Winnipeg products definitely have some similarities.
“They are highly skilled and bring a youthful exuberance to our group,” he said.
David said the twins are lucky to be able to billet with Oil Caps assistant coach Brett Braybrook and his two sons. They are pleased to be playing in Virden.
“Definitely the best thing about being an Oil Cap is playing in front of such an amazing fan base here in Virden,” Joey said. “Being able to have night in and night out a consistent and amazing fan base that truly does care about how we are doing as a team really makes it amazing to be able to play in such an awesome town.”
His brother has noticed this season how close the Oil Capitals players are.
“We hang out a lot as a group and have lots of fun together, which allows us to have stronger bonds on the ice and to play better as a group,” David said.
Joey said that the twins have always been on the same team since they started playing hockey. The brothers are happy to be junior hockey teammates.
“I think the best part of having my brother as a teammate this year is that the transition to junior hockey is much easier,” David said. “Being away from home and getting used to a new environment takes some time to adjust but having a guy like him to do it with makes it a lot easier.”
On the Oil Caps blue line, David has earned valuable minutes. He has recorded six assists in 12 games this season.
“David has elite skill and skating ability,” Ramsey said. “He sees the ice so well and has really adjusted well to the speed and size of junior hockey.”
At forward, Joey has lit the lamp once so far this season. He has accumulated three points in 10 games.
“Joey plays with skill and has a very high IQ for the game,” Ramsey said. “He has been a good penalty killer and has the ability to play up and down our lineup.”
When asked if people mistaken the twins for each other, Joey said it “definitely is a constant daily occurrence for sure, but that’s not a problem.
“Dave and I look basically exactly the same and the guys on our team and our coaches are all getting better at it and getting more used to how each of us act and the little differences, which is great,” Joey said.
Off the ice, David said they are not very alike. For example, he is pursuing science studies through the University of Manitoba, while Joey is enrolled in that institution’s Asper School of Business.
“We both are in different faculties at school, and if you were around us at home or in the locker room, you’d be able to tell our personalities are a lot different, and we never like to dress the same,” David said.
