Blue-chip recruit: Saskatchewan Huskies winning with former Blades captain Trevor Wong

Photo by Michelle Berg /Saskatoon StarPhoenix University of Saskatchewan Huskies forward Trevor Wong (8) takes on Trinity Western Spartans at Merlis Belsher Place. Photo taken in Saskatoon, Sask. on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.

Darren Zary

Saskatoon StarPhoenix

It was just a matter of time.

Eventually, the dam was going to burst and Trevor Wong was bound to break through, offensively, at the U Sports level with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies.

The former Saskatoon Blades captain finished his Western Hockey League career with eye-popping offensive stats. He racked up 101 points last season, including 86 assists and 15 goals in 68 games.

After a somewhat slow start, Wong is starting to ramp up his offensive production with the Dogs thanks to eight assists in his last four games.

Wong, who had two goals and four assists for six points in 16 games prior to Christmas, now has three goals and 13 assists for 16 points in 20 games.

“Everyone looks at his stats in junior and offensive players, when you’re not necessarily producing on the score-sheet, questions are asked, but I’ve had zero issues with how he’s come in and fit himself into the lineup and I thought, over the course of the first half, there was a learning curve for sure,” says U of S head coach Brandin Cote, whose team hosts the arch-rival University of Alberta Golden Bears on Friday night (7 p.m.) and Saturday (5 p.m.) at Merlis Belsher Place.

“We knew that was going to happen against bigger, stronger guys with less time and space for a playmaker. Also, just finding chemistry with new teammates, right?”

Cote believes they’ve found that with line-mates Vince Loschiavo and Justin Ball.

“It gives him some veteran guys with some stability,” adds Cote. “When he makes plays, they can bury and so I think that combination really works. You can tell he’s become more comfortable in finding pockets where he can make plays and guys are actually finishing.”

There’s always a transition period going from junior hockey to university hockey. It’s no different for the 5-foot-9 Wong.

“For sure, I think it takes a bit of time once you’ve been in (another) system for a long time,” he admits. “It’s kind of a thing that naturally happens, with new teammates, new environment, new coaches, everything like that. It’s been really fun though. I’ve been really enjoying it.”

Wong made the decision to stay in Saskatoon despite being from the B.C. lower mainland.

“It was pretty tough,” he admits. “It kind of took me a while to figure out where I was going, what I was going to do. I had some (minor) pro offers, but not really the ones I wanted, so obviously, from there, I had to figure out where I wanted to go to school. There was a lot of decision-making but, ultimately, I’m really happy I made the decision to come here and stay in Saskatoon.”

FORMER BLADES CAPTAINS HEAD-TO-HEAD

This weekend’s series will feature two former Blades captains going head to head as Wong battles a former teammate, defenceman Aidan De La Gorgendiere.

“It was a little weird playing against him for the first time when we went there,” admits Wong, who will also face Blade graduates Eric Florchuk, Blake Gustafson and Noah Boyko. “I know what kind of guy he is — no friends on the ice … After the game, we can sit and chat.”

The stakes are high, with first-place in the East Division and potentially first place overall on the line.

“It’s massive,” Wong says of the weekend tilt. “Obviously that’s our rival and we’re trading points, so it’s been a good battle so far, the games we’ve had against them this season. It’s a real good series for us to get back at them for points and obviously we’re playing at home for the first time so it’s going to be really exciting. It’s going to be a good weekend.”

The key?

“This weekend, it’s taking (advantage) at home. We played them twice (two weekends, four games) there. It’s going to be different in our barn. We play to our strengths … We just have to get up for the game.”

Wong has been playing on a line with team captain Ball and Loschiavo ever since Ball returned to the lineup after missing the first 14 games.

“Two guys who have been here for a long time and kind of embrace the Huskie culture here and obviously two great players,” says Wong. “They definitely help me a lot.”

Ball says Wong is a “very special player, very, very skilled.”

“It’s been a treat watching him play and we’re very lucky he came to us and he’s making impact for us,” Ball says. “It’s something special. He’s the big recruit this year and it’s special to see him here this year and having fun and contributing like he is.”

dzary@postmedia.com

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