It did not take long for Virden’s Wyatt Kalynuk to adjust to the level of NCAA Division I college hockey.
In his first season at the University of Wisconsin, the son of Randy and Leanna Kalynuk was named All-Big Ten Honourable Mention. The skilled defenceman shared the team’s Rookie of the Year award and was picked for the Big Ten All-Rookie Team.
“I just think I’ve trusted my ability all year long,” Kalynuk said. “When things went wrong, I didn’t panic. I think being able to maintain confidence was big for me.”
Playing for Badgers head coach Tony Granato, a former NHL All-Star, Kalynuk impressed the coaching staff with his calmness and how easy he was to coach, associate head coach Mark Osiecki said. The mobile defenceman established his skating ability and his shot as his strengths.
“He has a great ability to retrieve a puck very quickly and get it in the hands of the forwards,” Osiecki said. “When shooting from the blue line, he has a great knack for getting the puck through to the net. It comes off his stick like an NHLer.”
Kalynuk posted one of the most productive freshman seasons in University of Wisconsin history for a defenceman, according to the team’s website. In 24 Big Ten games, he tied the conference freshman of the year, Michigan State’s Mitchell Lewandowski, with 18 points. Kalynuk led the Big Ten defencemen with 15 assists in conference games. For the season, he finished fourth on the Badgers with 25 points, including three goals. Kalynuk was a key player as the quarterback on the Badgers’ power play.
While he was successful, Kalynuk said there were some challenges moving from the junior United States Hockey League to the NCAA Division I ranks.
“The biggest adjustment for me coming from the USHL was probably just the size and strength of the players,” he said. “Guys are older and stronger than they were in juniors. Also, the speed of the game is definitely a little quicker.”
Kalynuk greatly enjoyed his first season with the Badgers.
“The best part about playing for Wisconsin so far has probably been being able to learn from such a great coaching staff. Mark Osiecki has been an unbelievable teacher for me this year. Also the atmosphere we have at each home game is something I would look forward to each game. Ten thousand fans each night never gets old.”
He also has enjoyed life off the ice at the University of Wisconsin and in Madison. Kalynuk has succeeded in the classroom, he said, partially due to the help of the tutors. He praised the team’s academic advisor, Mary Weaver-Klees, for the “unbelievable job” she does of keeping them on track. As for the community, Kalynuk said:
“The best part about studying at Madison so far has probably been the campus. The campus here is probably one of the nicest campuses in the country. There is so much to do - especially in the summer with lakes on both sides of campus.”
Growing up in Virden, Kalynuk developed his game under the tutelage of Virden Minor Hockey coaches. He also spent hours playing outside at the Chevron Rink. Kalynuk played as a 16-year-old for his hometown Virden Oil Capitals in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. He went on to play three seasons in the USHL – one with the Lincoln (Neb.) Stars and two with the Bloomington (Ill.) Thunder. Last year Kalynuk was selected in the NHL Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers. No matter where he has played, Kalynuk has been supported by his family, which includes sisters Quinn and Lexie.
“My family has once again been extremely supportive for me this year,” he said. “They don’t miss a game. They made it to eight games this year. My biggest supporter, Grandma Betty (McSorley), made all eight as well.”
