If you talk to him for more than a minute, you’ll definitely get the impression that highly sought recruit Tyson Jost is very excited to be joining the University of North Dakota Hockey team for the 2016-17 season. While Jost’s future teammates were playing in the Frozen Four, he was watching the game on TSN. Jost was impressed with his future team’s play.
“It was special,” Jost said. “I was getting shivers and my leg was shaking when I was watching it. Those guys deserved it. You can see that they worked so hard throughout the year. Bubbs (head coach Brad Berry) is an amazing coach and he stepped in and did an amazing job with the team. I know I wasn’t there but from what I heard he was amazing and the guys like him a lot.”
Jost Has Some Unfinished Business
Before Jost joins the Fighting Hawks hockey team, Jost has some unfinished business. Currently, Jost is making his debut at Ralph Englestad arena playing with Team Canada in the IIHF U18 World Championships. His first game action with the Canadians went smashingly. During game one, Jost scored two goals and add three assists in under 30 minutes. Jost played on Team Canada’s top line and his efforts helped the Canadians bomb Team Denmark 10-2.
“Pretty special, Jost said. “Going out for warmups and just looking around the rink and thinking someday this is going to be my home. It was really special to get the win like that.”
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Not only did Jost’s debut impress the hometown fans, his head coach was impressed with his team captain’s play.
“I thought he was fantastic,” Canadian head coach Shawn Clouston said. “I thought he played the game right. He played with energy. He played gritty. He played smart and obviously he was a big contributor tonight.”
Jost Buys Into UND’s Hockey Culture
During my brief conversation with Jost, he couldn’t hide his excitement. The arena and the UND coaching staff has made quite an impression on the 17-year-old from St. Albert, Alberta.
“I love it. I can’t wait to get here,” Jost said. “I think I’ll come here in the summer. I can wait to get the season started. In warm-ups and the game sometimes I catch myself glancing up into the stands. Just thinking, I am going to be playing in front of a bunch of Sioux fans who are all going to be cheering for us.
“It’s definitely special and it’s an amazing facility and a place to play. I am hoping to go back-to-back with the national championship. It’s really special looks like we’re going to have a great group of guys next season.”
It appears that Jost has already bought into UND culture. He’s coming to UND with the intention of playing for an NCAA title and hanging a ninth championship banner from the rafters of Ralph Englestad Arena.
“It’s definitely special and it’s an amazing facility and a place to play. I am hoping to go back-to-back with the national championship. It’s really special looks like we’re going to have a great group of guys next season.”
College Hockey Best Route for Jost
Jost is a highly talented prospect and is projected to go in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft. For some, it would seem logical that Jost plays major juniors in the Western Hockey League of the Canadian Hockey League would be the best route for him. Many of his teammates on Team Canada are already playing with CHL teams.
“Nothing against the CHL or anything, that’s a great league,” Jost said. “But when I came to North Dakota I was 14 or 15 years old. I was blown away. It popped into my mind right way. I was like a kid in the candy shop.
“I was calling my mom saying I am ready to commit right now. They were trying to settle me down, they wanted me to look at other options. I think in the back of my mind I always wanted to be a Fighting Sioux one day. I am here now, so, I am part of the group, can’t wait to get started. I am humbled and proud to be a part of it.”
Boeser and Jost on the Same Line?
After UND won the Frozen Four, UND All-American forward Brock Boeser announced that he was coming back for his sophomore season. UND fans rejoiced. His new teammate Jost is pretty happy about this, too. There’s a very good possibility that Jost could be on a forward line with Boeser.
“He’s such a special player,” Jost said. “You saw what he did this year. He put great numbers and he’s a great guy off of the ice. I got to spend some time with him during my official visit here. He’s such a good kid and It’s going to be pretty cool to have someone to look up to like him. He can show me the reigns or what not. It’s going to be pretty special. I don’t know what the lines are going to be or whatever, that’s a long time away. If I do get the chance to play with him it’s going to be pretty cool.”
UND fans are already speculating what their top line could look like if Jost plays with Boeser. Imagine if Nick Schmaltz returns, too. That could be an amazing line if it comes to fruition.
Eric is a 1996, 1999 graduate of the University of North Dakota. Eric covers the University of North Dakota Hockey and Division I college hockey. Eric is the Contributing Editor for Inside Hockey.
