Mugford sets pro goals for hockey season

Playing professional hockey is a goal many young Prince Albertans dream of - but just a handful actually make it to the big leagues.

Tyler Mugford has worked his way up the ranks to start his first season of professional hockey this fall with the Ontario Reign. It's an East Coast Hockey League team out of Ontario, California.

The 24-year-old Prince Albert native has been playing hockey since he was three or four years old, starting out in his backyard.

"It definitely something I have always strived to achieve," he said, referring to playing in the pros.

He spent the past four years playing and studying at Cornell University in New York state.

Now, he's excited to head south. He doesn't mind the weather as an added benefit, either.

Reign is still a young team in the league. It has only been around for one season, but managed to take home a division title.

The style of the team is similar to how Mugford plays, his coach said.

Reign coach Karl Taylor is looking forward to seeing Mugford in the orange and blue.

Taylor said the left-winger will fit in well with the team, being such a physical player.

"I am really excited," Taylor said.

"He is fearless, he is big, he uses his body to his advantage, and I think the pro game is going to be really geared to how he plays."

The minor-league team is affiliated with the Los Angeles Kings, whose scouts have watched Mugford since the beginning of his senior year at Cornell.

"I expect him to be hard to play against and real physical and be a guy that can create energy and turn the tide of a game when it's not necessarily going the way you want it to be," Taylor said.

Mugford wants to maintain his on-ice style and believes he'll adapt to the pro game.

"With the style they play, I knew I could fit right in and hopefully contribute offensively, as well as my usual defensive style," he said.

He's known for his penalty-killing ability and defensive play.

Mugford even took home the Eastern College Athletic Conference defensive player of the year award last year.

"It's kinda been my knack since I played here with the Mintos," he said.

"It's been my defence-first style that's been getting me where I've been going."

Another aspect to his journey is the opportunity to try out for the Manchester Monarchs, the American League team that is one step below the NHL's Kings.

"If all goes well, I will put some time in up there for a little bit, said Mugford, who heads to New York at the beginning of next month to begin a month and a half of training with pro players and coaches.

From there, he will head the Manchester training camp in New Hampshire.

If he makes the Monarchs, he will stick around. Otherwise, he'll be on his way to California to play with the Reign.

"As for my chances for next year, we will let my play determine that," Mugford said.