Spokane Braves alum Tyson Feist has advanced from the Arizona Coyotes Prospects Development camp Sept.9-13, to their Rookie camp and Rookie Faceoff tournament.
Getting the opportunity to showcase himself to an NHL organization was an exciting moment for the Dawson Creek, B.C. native, who has worked hard for a long time for that shot.
When Feist learned he would be attending the development camp that recently ended, he started training even harder.
“The camp was awesome,” says Feist from Arizona, as the Rookie Camp and Tournament go from Sept. 15-20. “It was a great introduction into what it’s like playing in the NHL.They treated us like NHL players and it showed me another level of what it’s like to be a pro and where I have to get to, to make it to the next level.”
So far Feist accomplished what he hoped for experience-wise. His other focus was to do the best he could to get noticed.
“Performance wise, I feel like I have been good,” says the Kelowna Rocket. “I’m getting positive feedback and getting better every day, which is all you can ask for.”
Feist says his play has built his confidence a lot, especially after receiving positive feedback to learn and adapt his game to make it more suitable for the pro level. It gives him confidence heading back into Junior.
A defensive defenceman listed at six-foot-two, 181 pounds, Feist likes to play hard in the corners and a physical game. He wants to add an offensive element and has been focused on that side of the puck, as well as moving up the ice.
“I want to make myself available to be that third guy high,” he says. “My skating, it’s pretty strong, but you can always work on things.”
Feist spent the summer skating with pros, including Montreal Canadiens defenceman Joel Edmundson, who won a Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues in 2018-19. Feist says there is value in skating with pros.
“That just shows you what you need to work on. It just shows you, you have a long way to go,” he says. “Training and gaining weight was a big thing for me this summer.”
Feist looks up to Edmundson because of the way he plays so he asked him questions.
Should Feist return to Kelowna following the Coyotes Rookie Camp and Tournament, his focus is to be a leader, which has always been a goal for him.
“I take pride in being a pretty good leader to the young guys,” he says. “It’s going to be a pretty young group this year. There are definitely going to be lots of opportunities for that. I want to have a very good year, personally just with point production, and everything to put me to the next level.”
A stint with the Braves in 2017-18 helped Feist make a permanent jump to the WHL with the Spokane Chiefs. He started the season with the Chiefs before being sent to the Braves, where the organization felt it was best for his development. In 27 games with the Braves, he put up 17 points and played eight games with the Chiefs.
Feist wasn’t sure what to expect with the Braves, but getting a lot of ice time helped build his confidence. He praised the work of former coach Garry Redding.
“He gave me lots of opportunities to build my confidence. He gave me freedom to make mistakes and learn,” says Feist. “They did a really good job with me there.”
Playing against older guys helped him develop his game as Feist says everything was a little bit faster.
“It gets you a little bit closer to the next level,” says Fiest. “It was a good experience for me. The Braves, they were awesome. The KIJHL is a great league for developing young guys.”
