Vey a sleeper and a keeper
While most of the attention has been focused on some of the other prize recruits on the Hockey Huskies, most notably Steven Da Silva and Chris Durand up front and Chad Greenan in the back end, Vey continues to fly under the radar.
During his National Hockey League Entry Draft year as an 18-year-old, Vey’s season got cut short by a serious shoulder injury, putting him out of action for nine months. Vey rebounded to post back-toback 20-goal seasons with the WHL’s TriCity Americans, yet he never garnered any pro shots.
So, after his major career wrapped up, 6-foot-3, 205-pound centre decided to stay in his home province.
“IknewfromChristmasonIwasgoingto do the school thing,” Vey, who grew up on a farm in the Wakaw area, said Tuesday. “I met with Dave and the U of S was always in the back of my mind, coming home to a good school with a winningbackground — they’re always competitive, year after year. I was real impressed with Daveandeverything fell into place.”
So far, things are slow to fall into place with the Hockey Dogs.
Vey has two goals and no assists in eight games.
“Shaun Vey is a very poised studentathlete, who is here for the right reasons,” said Adolph. “Without a doubt, he’s going to be a long-term player for us. Shaun has struggled at this point, being a studentathlete and combining the time restraints. Time management has overwhelmed him a little bit.
“He hasn’t quite been the player I hope he’s going to be and he hopes he’s going to be, but, on the other side of the coin, he’s really taking care of his time management and getting a solid grip on school. It’s hard for first years. Some guys breeze right into it; other guys struggle.
“But I have all the confidence in the world that he’ll figure it out. He’s adjusting and he’ll be fine.
“I still think he’s going to be a real sleeper.”
Vey says he’s just happy to be playing hockey and get an education.
“The shoulder’s good now,” said Vey, who still wears a protective brace for protection. “It doesn’t really restrict me.”
Compounding his dislocated shoulder were stretched or frayed nerves.
“I still don’t have all the feeling in my shoulder and (initially) it caused me to lose all my muscle mass,” noted Vey.
As a first-year U of S Huskie, he shoulders much more.
“It’s definitely been a new experience trying to balance school and hockey,” Vey admits. “The hockey is really good. We’ve struggled here the last little bit, but we had a good practice and we addressed some of the things we need to work on and we’ll get a lot better.
“This is great hockey. It’s a couple of steps above the Western Hockey League. You’re playing with bigger, stronger guys — mature men. It’s definitely a step up, but it’s been a lot of fun.”
Saskatchewan (5-2-1) plays host to Alberta (3-1-0) in a Canada West showdown Friday and Saturday at Rutherford Rink, the site of many classic battles between the arch-rivals.
“To play a team like that, everybody gets a little bit more excited,” Vey said. “Everybody knows we haven’t been our best the last couple of weekends. This is a good opportunity to step up and really improve our play.”
Vey, the first pick in the second round of the WHL Bantam Draft by the Vancouver Giants, hasn’t totally given up on the pro dream.
“Iwouldn’truleitout,”saidVey.“School is still my main priority. That’s what I’m going to get done. I plan on being here for four or five years. If an opportunity arises after that, I would definitely consider it.”
Adolph sees a long-term Dog until then.
“He’s a real solid, two-way player who has an offensive side that has yet to be tapped,” said Adolph. “I just see him as one of those guys, like a Curtis Austring, an intelligent, even-keeled player who’s going to be a contributor on and off the ice for us.
“We feel he’s a keeper. He’s a sleeperkeeper.”
