It took three seasons, but the Okotoks Bisons finally found the perfect role for one of their biggest contributors on the backend.
Eddie Tracy joined the Heritage Junior Hockey League team as a skilled forward in 2010-11 and struggled to find ice time in parts of his first two seasons with the Bisons. However, since the 20-year-old Calgarian was converted into a defenceman late last season, the coaching staff can’t keep Tracy out of the lineup.
“It was tough at times when there were big games and I wouldn’t be in them,” Tracy said of his ice time last season. “But I knew my role, knew what I had to do. I just stuck with it.”
The stick-to-itiveness was rewarded in year three as Tracy has played in all 12 Bisons contests and logged top-four minutes on the blueline while registering two goals and six points.
“It feels good to be recognized now by the coaching staff,” he said.
The five-foot-nine blueliner said adjusting to the transition game and sharpening his angles on the ice have been the most challenging aspects of the position change.
“I’ve found that it’s a way better fit for me back there,” Tracy said. “I wasn’t too confident when they first put me back there, I was a little iffy about it, but I grew to love it.
“It’s really come full circle and really helped out.”
The Bisons lost two mainstays on defence, alternate captains Lane Wagner and Peter Soroka, to graduation in the offseason leaving a gaping hole on the blueline.
“It was a big thing with them leaving and us having to step in and pull off what they pulled,” Tracy said. “It’s tough because they were really strong d-men, but I think we can do it.”
Bisons general manager Jay McFarlane said Tracy’s a shining example of what can happen when you pay your dues and patiently bide your time.
“There’s a good example of someone who has gone through the system, who has put in his time,” McFarlane said. “Whether he was the lineup or not he always had a good attitude and now he’s been rewarded with full time ice.”
Moving Tracy to the backend last season has been a resounding success for all parties.
“It’s been a win-win,” said McFarlane. “Eddie is in the lineup now full time and has earned his stripes and he’s just way more affective as a defenceman.”
McFarlane said the 20-year-old Tracy’s skill set, featuring a nifty set of hands and great vision as a natural playmaker, lends itself better on defence.
“From an intensity standpoint he’s better composed on the backend,” McFarlane said. “When he was up front from a speed factor he was getting beat occasionally or was inconsistent, but he doesn’t seem to have any issues at the back.”
Tracy’s usual defence partner Dylan Griep said he’s helped the new defenceman adapt to the position by getting Tracy to play more conservatively.
“He likes to rush it and he’s good at it, but he’s got to play defence now so he’s got to stay back,” Griep said. “But he’s made the switch easily and it comes natural to him.”
Ascending herd
The Okotoks Bisons (9-2-1) extended their unbeaten run to nine games with another successful weekend set.
The Bisons earned a 4-4 tie on the road with the Airdrie Thunder on Oct. 26.
Phil Dillon led the Okotoks charge with two goals and three points while Jordan Eddy and Eddie Tracy each found the back of the net once.
Okotoks then made quick work of the Medicine Hat Cubs, Oct. 28 at Murray Arena, by thrashing the South Division rival in a 7-0 rout.
Bisons winger Ty Fehr broke out of his scoring slump by registering his first three goals of the season. Okotoks captain Chase Fallis finished with a Gordie Howe hat-trick, scoring in the first period, earning an assist in the second, and came to the defence of linemate Jeremy Smith, after a hit-from-behind, for a spirited third period tilt.
Tyler Hughes stopped all 27 shots he faced to pick up his first shutout of the season.
Okotoks squares off with the first-place Coaldale Copperheads on Friday at 8 p.m. at Murray Arena, and then welcomes the Three Hills Thrashers to Okotoks for a 1:15 p.m. face-off on Sunday.
For more information on the Bisons go to www.okotoksbisons.com.
