By Warren Kozireski
Tommy Bleyl had a season to remember in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) with Moncton becoming just the second defenseman in league history to win both the Defenseman of the Year and Best Defensive Rookie in the same season.
That was after the 6’0”, 170 lb. right shot blueliner led all QMJHL skaters in assists with 66 and all defensemen in points (81).
Those are numbers or a pace he has never come close to in his career even going back to his teenage years with the Mid-Fairfield Rangers program or high school with Burnt Hills/Ballston Spa or the Albany Academy.
“I wouldn’t say it was a surprise; I went into the season with a lot of expectations for myself and I certainly exceeded those expectations,” Bleyl said after his physical testing at the NHL Draft Combine in Buffalo where he interviewed with 30 of the 32 teams.
“I guess it was a little unexpected, but with the help my teammates and my coaches anything was really possible.
“I would say I’m a two-way defenseman; I have pretty good feet and pretty good hockey IQ and move pucks with my feet.
“In the D-zone I’m pretty physical and competitive but not overly physical but feisty and competitive and in the O-zone I’m pretty good laterally and get pucks through on net.
Now he has seen his NHL Central Scouting draft ranking rise from 35th among North American skaters at midterm to 17th in the final rankings.
He said he models his game after Mike Matheson of the Montreal Canadians and Adam Fox of the New York Rangers.
“I would say (a strength) is my competitiveness in the D-zone. It’s been a work in progress with my positioning and everything, but being competitive is something I’ve always needed to be as a small guy growing up.”
Bleyl is committed to Michigan State University, but not until the 2027-28 season.
