Thursday, March 21, 2013

‘Brothers’ Recall Time at Miami

Getting a chance to play former teammate Ryan Jones is special to San Jose’s Tommy Wingels.

'Brothers' Recall Time at Miami
Tommy Wingels is in his first full season with the San Jose Sharks.

With eight former RedHawks in the NHL, it’s not too unusual for Tommy Wingels to face off against a familiar face. Nevertheless, from a story on the Edmonton Oilers web site, it’s clear that he considers the chance to play against former teammate Ryan Jones extra special.

“I can honestly say that he helped steer my career in the right direction and was a huge help in getting me to this point,” Wingels said. “He’s a ‘brother’ of mine, no question.”

Wingels expanded on the role of Jones and the Miami program in helping him reach the NHL in the feature by Ryan Dittrick.

“Ryan and I spent some together this summer back in Miami, which was a blast. We love going back there and we both credit the program for doing so much in our careers and getting us both to the NHL.”

…

“It was an unbelievable experience,” said Wingels. “The program they have there is exceptional in terms of producing guys at the next level (some notable graduates include: Brian Savage, Alec Martinez and Wingels’ Sharks teammate, Dan Boyle), as well as getting a good college experience. Truthfully, it was the best three years of my life so far. I built lasting relationships with some great people, I learned how to grow as an individual and was given a path to a career in the NHL.

“I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

The matchup certainly seemed to bring out the best in Jones and Wingels. Jones, who missed most of this season due to injury, scored his first goal of the year early in the third period. Five minutes later Wingels knotted the score at 4-4 with his second of the year.

From there the game went to a shootout. The clinching goal? Wingels’ teammate, and another former RedHawk, Dan Boyle.