That’s because for much of the season, a Warriors prospect was battling Bedard for the scoring lead in the entire CSSHL. As in the whole thing, across all divisions.
And when Warriors general manager Alan Millar talks about late-round picks working hard and earning their spot, well, Richmond, B.C.’s Thomas Tien did just that.
Tien — who the Warriors selected in the 11th round, 236th overall in the 2019 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft — signed a standard WHL players agreement on Tuesday, capping an impressive season with a much-earned award.
“We are very excited to announce the signing of forward Thomas Tien to a WHL Standard Player Agreement,” Millar said in a press release. “Thomas is a very hard working, competitive player who combines a good skill set with a strong will and determination in his game and in his development. We are very pleased that Thomas and his parents Ed and Anne have chosen the Moose Jaw Warriors and the WHL to pursue his hockey and academic goals.”
If the now 5-foot-8, 155-pound forward had a strike against him heading into his draft year, it was his size and definitely not his offensive production, as he scored 24 goals and 64 points in only 30 games with the St. George’s School Bantam Prep team.
A couple of inches of height and a few more pounds on his frame led to Tien lighting up the CSSHL U-15 loop this past season, including a goal and an assist in a 4-3 win over Prairie Hockey Academy in November.
Overall, Tien would score 33 goals and 77 points in 34 games, finishing second in team scoring, before adding another three goals and six points in two playoff games. Playing up with St. George’s Midget Prep team he’d score twice with three points in eight games. Tien was nominated for the Elite 15 Most Valuable Player honour at the end of the campaign.
“Thomas is a player with lots of speed, skill, and character,” commented Assistant General Manager Jason Ripplinger. “He is a determined and competitive player that we want to build our team and culture around.”
