STM grad is Gretzky's first choice

Also See: Providence Health Care recognizes care excellence

By Pat Macken

"With the third overall selection in the 2007 National Hockey League Draft, the Phoenix Coyotes select, from the Burnaby Express, Kyle Turris."

Kyle Turris (left) told The B.C. Catholic he tried to set a good example for younger students while attending St. Thomas More Collegiate. Selected third overall by the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2007 NHL draft, Turris is described as “very giving” by Burnaby Express owner Darcy Rota.

On June 22, when this announcement was made by none other than Wayne Gretzky, arguably the greatest player to ever grace the NHL's ice, the professional hockey career of a talented St. Thomas More graduate began.

Kyle Turris began skating at the age of 2, when his parents would take him to family skating in New Westminster. As so often is the case, both of Kyle's parents were successful athletes themselves. His father Bruce, a consultant, is in the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame, while his mother Vikky, a bookkeeper, was a top-level high-school sprinter.

With this pedigree one might expect a brash, cocky, spoiled prodigy, but his parents' greatest influence was in the values they passed on to their son. Turris states his parents have been his largest influence, and that they emphasized treating others with respect and maintaining the humble belief that he was no better than any other person.

The accomplishments of this 17-year-old New Westminster native are outstanding and already include:

• Being the highest drafted BCHL player ever.
• Having 66 goals and 55 assists in only 53 games (2006-2007 season).
• Leading the Burnaby Express to the 2006 RBC Royal Bank Cup.
• Being the MVP of World Junior A Challenge (won by his Canada West team).
• Helping Canada strike gold at the 2006 Junior World Cup in Slovakia.

Despite all these on-ice accolades, it is Turris's character that has been prominently mentioned in recent weeks. Tim Shoveller, one of Kyle's teachers, states, "Kyle is an extremely good person; he is very responsible, always letting us know when he will be away and keeping up with his school work."

Turris, for his part, gives credit to his teachers: "Whenever I have gone on road trips and missed classes, the teachers have always made themselves available for tutoring sessions." He says St. Thomas More has such an incredibly close-knit community that he has found it "fun to come to school everyday, without having to act a certain way to be cool." Fellow students and teachers would often attend home games of the Burnaby Express to show their support.

"My time at STM is something I will never forget; the school spirit, the attention each teacher gives to the kids, is unlike any other school."

Bruce and Vikky have done such a terrific job of raising their son to be a kind person, staying grounded to his roots, that NHL management has taken notice.

"The Great One," Gretzky, also known for his integrity and character, was extremely impressed with Turris's off-ice demeanour. Darcy Rota, a former Vancouver Canuck and the current Burnaby Express owner, refers to Turris as "very thoughtful, very giving of himself."

Turris describes himself as a play-making centre. He fashioned his game much after his hero, the recently retired Steve Yzerman, formerly of the Detroit Red Wings. Not only can he score but he is also very able defensively. In other words, Turris is a two-way player who according to reports has great leadership qualities.

He saw himself in a leadership role at STM as well. "I tried to conduct myself in a good manner for younger kids to look up to. If they see a Grade 12 [student] breaking the rules then why can't they? so I try to set a good example."

He reminds aspiring athletes to "have fun. Don't take it too seriously; it's just a game."

Phoenix will have to wait to see Turris perform live, as he plans on keeping a promise he made to attend the University of Wisconsin (one of the top NCAA hockey programs) in the fall. While on a full scholarship Turris will follow this path as a back-up plan if "hockey doesn't work out."

As Turris prepares to leave STM and move on to the next stage of his life, he reflects on the Catholic lessons he will carry with him.

"The Catholic faith helps me understand what is important in life and the value of treating others with respect, the way you would wish to be treated."

At a time when professional sports generate an extremely individualistic, "look out for number one" attitude, we can trust that Kyle Turris will attempt to spread a selfless team approach. He will carry the solid principles of love and kindness he received from STM and his parents wherever he plays.