Kyle Bortis

Huskies men’s hockey player Kyle Bortis has been a consistent offensive powerhouse for the Dogs in his four seasons with the club.

He is currently second in the Canada West points race with 10 goals and 21 assists. With that kind of on-ice dominance Bortis will be a leader on the Huskies squad into the playoffs later this month and the CIS men’s national hockey tournament in March.

Far from seeking the limelight, Bortis understands the importance of playing as a team in order to be a winning club and credits his personal success to his teammates.

“I’ve been playing with a lot of good hockey players on our team,” said Bortis who has been shifted around with three different offensive line combinations this season.

“It’s not hard to fit in with them and contribute offensively. I give a lot of my success to the linemates I play with.”

With two weeks remaining, Bortis is trying focus on the final four games of the regular season but says that it’s hard not to get caught up in the excitement surrounding the Huskies. The team has already clinched a post-season berth and, as hosts of the CIS men’s hockey championship, have the only guaranteed entrance into the national tournament in March.

“I think whether we say it or not there is always going to be a buzz about nationals,” Bortis said.

“It’s something you have to try to not think about too much and worry about the game at hand.

“Our team slogan is ‘One Goal’ and that goal could mean many things, but for us I think it’s being able to focus on the practice that leads into that one game. We can’t look at the big picture. It’s more of the process of getting to the national championships.”

While he knows that hosting the national tournament will be something he will never forget, Bortis says his favourite memories will always be of the players he shared the Huskie dressing room with.

“A great memory that I will always keep with me is playing with a lot of the guys I grew up playing with and against. I know we’re going to be friends for life from here.

“It was a big decision to come play with the Huskies after junior hockey. At the time it was a hard decision but in hindsight it’s not, thanks to the great tradition and great program this team has built,” Bortis said.

When the Melfort, Sask. product isn’t on the ice himself, he enjoys watching the pros. He is excited that the NHL is back in full swing so he can watch his favourite team, the Montreal Canadiens.

“When I was growing up my dad was a Toronto Maple Leafs fan, so I was persuaded to be a Montreal fan. I couldn’t cheer with him so I cheered against him,” Bortis laughed.

Like many athletes, Bortis follows his own specific routine before and during the game to try and gain a mental edge over the competition.

“Superstition or not, I do dress left to right and that’s something I’ve always done,” Bortis said.

“After warm ups and between every period I also re-tape my stick…. If there are any marks on my stick I like to have fresh tape.”

It’s difficult to question the tactics of a player enjoying so much success this year.

Your next chance to catch Bortis and the third-place Huskies men’s hockey team is Feb. 1 and 2 at Rutherford Rink when they take on the fourth-place Calgary Dinos at 7 p.m.

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Photo: Raisa Pezderic/The Sheaf