Virden’s Bryn Chyzyk is having fun as a rookie while learning the ropes of pro hockey.
The son of Dave and Michelle Chyzyk has spent the early part of his first professional season going back and forth between the American Hockey League’s Rockford IceHogs and the ECHL’s Indy Fuel. Both teams are affiliates of the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks. The IceHogs are the Blackhawks’ top farm team.
“It has been fun to be a part of the Chicago Blackhawks organization,” Chyzyk wrote in an Internet interview. “Starting from main camp in Chicago - just to share the ice with some of the best players in the world was a crazy experience in its own. To see how they train, how hard they work every day, and what it takes to get to the next level.”
The 6-foot, 181-pound forward has played two games with the IceHogs, who are based in Illinois. In his first 12 games with the Fuel, he has three assists. Indy head coach Bernie John said that injuries have prevented Chyzyk from showcasing his full talent.
“He is a really good kid. … We were excited for him to bring scoring punch to our team but, with the injuries, it hasn’t happened yet but I am sure it will,” John wrote in an email interview.
Andrew Smith, the team’s public address announcer and editor of IndyPuck.com, said of Chyzyk:
“He's got tremendous speed. He hasn't played a lot in Indy because of an injury, but his speed is notable. You can tell he's got some high-end skill that is going to develop more and more as he gets used to the speed of the professional game. I know the coaching staff is looking forward to getting him back into the lineup.”
The Fuel are based in Indianapolis. Chyzyk has enjoyed his time in Indiana.
“Indianapolis is a great city,” he wrote. “There are lots of fun things to do. The organization treats their players very well and it has been fun to be a part of.”
While with the Fuel, Chyzyk has focused on working on his play around the net offensively.
“Working on your game around the net can take you from a 10-goal scorer to a 30-goal just by tipping pucks and finishing off rebounds,” he wrote.
During his time with the IceHogs, just a step away from the NHL, Chyzyk has strived to polish his game defensively.
“The AHL is filled with so many good players, trying to find a role within the league is tough. I have been trying to be a consistent penalty killer that the coach can trust when the team is down a man.”
Chyzyk joined the pro ranks after playing four seasons at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks.
“Pro hockey is completely different from college,” he wrote. “Instead of practicing all week and putting all your energy into two games a week, often in pro you have four to five games in a week so taking care of your body and conserving energy is crucial.”
Chyzyk’s hockey journey started in Virden. He was cut from the Directors Cup team and twice at the midget AAA level. Chyzyk developed his skills with the Virden Golden Bears high school team and, in his final year of midget AAA eligibility, the Southwest Cougars. He was the Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s Rookie of the Year with the Dauphin Kings and had a successful final junior season with the Fargo Force of the United States Hockey League.
At UND, Chyzyk increased his points total every season. As a senior, he had 22 points and served as an assistant captain. Chyzyk helped UND earn three straight trips to the NCAA Division I Frozen Four and capped his college career with a national championship. He graduated last spring with a business management degree. Through the ups and downs of his career, his family has always been there.
“My family support means the world to me,” Chyzyk wrote. “Without the time, money and dedication they sacrificed to me throughout all of minor hockey, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I get to play a game I love as a job, and that’s in large part to them, so I cannot thank them enough!”
