There are a lot of new faces in the Moose training camp right now. Those players get used to the club and get a heap of new information every day. So it helps to bring back players who are familiar with the city, the coaches and the organization that those new skaters can look up to.
Tyson Empey is heading into his third season with the Moose after signing with the club this summer. Empey knows the struggles in camp alongside his new teammates, going from U18AA in Swift Current, to U18 AAA in the Battlefords, to Junior-A in the SJHL, to NCAA Division III at SUNY-Geneseo, the ECHL and now the AHL.
“I’ve been that guy in two-way trades, in tryout trades, everything like that. I’ve been through it all,” Empey explained while watching the team practice. “I like being able to talk to those guys and see their story, how they got here, try to relate to them and give them as much advice as I can through what I’ve been through.”
The Swift Current, Sask. The product put pen to paper on his extension with the Moose early in the offseason, giving the grizzled forward and his family some useful stability over the summer. Perfect for a family that welcomed a new addition in May.
“It was great to know where we were going to be a little earlier than other years,” Empey added. “It’s nice to come back and get to know each other. I have family in Saskatchewan so they were able to help us move and help the kids. It’s really exciting to be back.”
With everything in the hockey world taken care of, Empey was able to just enjoy the family summer.
“It couldn’t have gone any better for us,” Empey explained. “Being there for my wife during labor and being there for all the first days. Being able to adjust to being a new dad has been really exciting.”
Empey and the Moose return to the ice Wednesday for the third day of camp at 10:30 a.m. for all hockey centers. All ice sessions are open to the public.
The Moose open the season on Saturday, October 2nd at 2pm when they host the Chicago Wolves for the Home Opener presented by Canada Life. The teams will return to action on Sunday, October 3 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets for both games are available at: moosehockey.com/tickets.
