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Former AAA Star Tyson Empey commits to NCAA Div. III

May 25, 2016 | 5:00 PM

After a heartbreaking loss in the SJHL finals to the Melfort Mustangs, Tyson Empey’s summer took a positive turn when he committed to the Concordia University of Wisconsin Falcons.

A four-year SJHL career with the Flin Flon Bombers was preceded by a year with the Battlefords AAA Stars, a year Empey looks back on fondly.

“I thought it was a good opportunity (to) grow as a hockey player and move away from home for the first time,” Empey said of his decision to come to the Battlefords. “It turned out to be one of the most fun years I’ve ever had. We all went to the same school, me and my roommate Brock Weston spent a lot of time at Dairy Queen.”

The Swift Current native recalled being 15 years old and receiving a call telling him the Bombers had listed him, procuring his services once he became junior eligible. He admitted he was a little worried about going to the Bombers considering they were so far away from home.

As it turns out, Empey thoroughly enjoyed his time in Flin Flon and said he plans to visit every summer when he’s home from school. One thing Empey will try not to think about when he visits is what happened the last time he played a game there.

“It was pretty upsetting. Four years, you think you’ve got a long time,” Empey said of losing in the finals to the Melfort Mustangs. “Having no idea where I was going to end up was kind of stressful. Having to leave Flin Flon and all the great people I met was tough, but everything worked out and I get to continue my career.”

Empey said the first time he had contact with the Falcons was after a game in North Battleford. He said he feels it’s the best fit for him considering their want for hard-working, gritty players. He’ll juggle practices and games with the Falcons while working towards a business degree.

“They want some hard-nosed players. They’re a newer team, it’s a big athletic school,” Empey said. “They’ve got 28 programs of NCAA teams and they have lots of good facilities. I thought it would be a good place to go and continue my career.”

The Falcons are members of the Northern Athletics Conference of Division III which features 12 teams in Wisconsin and Illinois. The team was founded for the 2007-08 season and posted a record of 11-12-3 last season.

There are five other Saskatchewan natives on the Falcons roster: Jack Romaniuk of Melfort who was a member of the Mustangs in 2014-15, Brandt Weldon of Prince Albert who played three seasons in Flin Flon, Adam Fauchoux of Prince Albert who spent three seasons with the Melfort Mustangs, Travis Marit of Assiniboia who was a one-time Battlefords North Star and Eric Therrien of Willow Bunch who played three seasons in the AJHL and BCHL.

 

Email: cjnbsports@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @craig_beauch