Tanner Lewis believes there are a number of advantages to playing for his hometown Virden Oil Capitals.
“First off, to be able to live at home and not have to adjust to a different environment or household made everything so much easier,” the son of Dale and Tracy Lewis wrote in an email
interview. “I did not have to have weeks or months in order to get comfortable in my living conditions."
“However, I feel that the ability to play in front of my friends and family every night and to have tremendous support so close to me at all times is a true blessing.”
The 18-year-old recently completed his first Manitoba Junior Hockey League regular season and is now helping the Oil Caps in the playoffs. Playing for your hometown Junior A team can come with challenges, distractions, and pressure, but Oil Capitals head coach Troy Leslie said Lewis has handled it all very well.
A 6-foot, 170-pound forward, Lewis enjoyed a solid rookie regular season. He often took on a defensive role with some penalty killing duties. In 54 games, Lewisscored 10 goals, compiled
16 points, and received 25 penalty minutes.
“He is a strong skater,” Leslie said. “He has a bit of a scoring touch too.”
The Oil Caps see great potential in Lewis. “What he is going to offer is more so in the future with his ability to score.”
Lewis has also been a good fi t with the Oil Caps with his personality. Leslie said the young man is respectful, a role model for youth in the community, and just “a real good kid.”
As a child, Lewis developed his game with Virden Minor Hockey and anywhere else he could. “I always had a deep burning love for the game, according to my parents,”
Lewis wrote. “I would always make my dad or my older sister (Jordyn) play mini sticks with me in the living room. It was a dream of mine to make it as far in hockey as I could when I first started playing, and it is still my goal to this very day.”
Later his younger brother Braeden, who is seven years his junior, played a role in Lewis’ development.
“As soon as he was able to sit up, I put pillows around him and a hockey net behind him and I would take shots on him. I was so excited the day he could sit up and be my goalie.”
When Lewis was young his father, the current Oil Caps president, coached with Leslie on the Southwest Cougars midget AAA team. Lewis later became acquainted with Chad Leslie,
Troy’s brother and the Oil Caps director of player personnel.
“Together the Leslie brothers have taught me so much knowledge of the game and also how to treat myself off the ice to be a respectful human being,”
Lewis wrote, “I cannot imagine where I would be if these two men weren't involved in the Oil Capitals organization.”
During his hockey career, he had the opportunity to learn from Bob "Ace" Caldwell and Don Dietrich. Lewis attended a number of hockey camps Caldwell was a part of and played for Troy Leslie and Caldwell for a season on the Cougars.
“Ace has been the one who has taught me how to respect the game, and the people we meet in our life. He has always been there to add his opinion to help improve my game, and is
always keen on knowing how everything is going when I see him around the rink.”
Lewis said that Dietrich has been a huge inspiration to him. Dietrich has been involved with the Cougars and is a former NHL defenceman who has had a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
“He has taught me that no matter how big the goal is or how long it will take you to achieve it, if you want it, you fight and battle until you reach it, no matter what,”Lewis wrote.
His father has also played a crucial role in Lewis’ career.
The young man praised his father for teaching him about the game, being a role model, driving him to practice, making a backyard rink in cold conditions, and financially supporting his
passion for the game. Lewis is grateful for the support of both of his parents.
“Living at home and being able to have my dad there for the hockey side of the game, and being able to eat my mom's cooking is amazing. I will never be able to thank them enough
for all they have done for me throughout my life.”
His grandparents, Barry and Linda Haskett and Audrey and Hardie Lewis, are also very supportive.
The season ticket holders listen intently to the radio or follow online when the team is on the road.
Lewis said the support of all his family members is great and he is grateful to play his junior hockey at home in front of them. He has embraced all that junior hockey has offered him.
“I've enjoyed being able to be at the rink every day and making friendships with my new teammates. Some of my teammates I've played against throughout my life, and it is very cool
to not only get to know them as a player, but also as the person they are away from the rink. Also the fact that most people my age are off working or going to college, and I get to play the game I
love every day, and having my only worry be, when do I need to be at the rink, is a dream come true.”
