The Calgary Hitmen are hoping that a new beginning can change the course of Ryely McKinstry’s career.
The Hitmen announced Monday afternoon that they traded a conditional pick in the 2019 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft for McKinstry, a left-handed defenceman from the Vancouver Giants.
Following an incredible minor hockey career, McKinstry’s time in major junior hasn’t lived up to the hype or potential.
He was named the Top Defensemen of the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League for the Calgary Bisons for the 2012-13 season and was selected 23rd overall by the Giants during the Bantam Draft.
A Calgary product, McKinstry racked up nine goals and 36 points in 29 games leading up to the draft with the Bisons of the AMBHL.
“We think that (Ryely) is going to be a puck-moving d-man for us that will compliment Layne Toder and Jake Bean — if (Bean) returns from the (Carolina) Hurricanes. He was always known for his ability to move the puck in minor hockey and it gives us more options on the back end,” said Hitmen General Manager Jeff Chynoweth.
McKinstry debuted with the Giants in a pair of games during his 15-year-old season, but spent the majority of the season with the Calgary Buffaloes of the Alberta Midget Hockey League, where he played alongside WHL superstar Matthew Phillips, currently of the Victoria Royals. That season, McKinstry buried nine goals, finishing with 24 points. His Buffs would reach the Chrysler division final, where the Red Deer Chiefs, who had future Hitmen Luke Coleman as an affiliated player, swept them in three games.
Early into his 16-year-old season with the Giants, McKinstry was named to the Canada Black squad for the World U17 Hockey Challenge, alongside future Hitmen Bean and Beck Malenstyn. Jake Kryski also suited up for Canada Red.
“I think Ryely has a lot of potential for us. I had the pleasure of knowing him for a while as we crossed paths with different teams at different camps, and I was excited when I heard the news,” said Malenstyn, following the Hitmen’s second practice with the new d-man. “The biggest thing I remember about him is his poise with the puck. He’s not afraid to make the simple plays, and going back as a forward, you can rely on him. He sees the ice well and has the vision to shoot the puck when the opportunity presents itself.”
Canada Black finished last in the pool with a 1-2-1 record and McKinstry was held pointless. The momentum of representing his country and minor hockey career did not pan out his first year with the Giants.
That season was derailed by injuries, a trend that would follow him over the next few seasons. He only managed to supply two goals and two assists in 30 games with the Giants.
McKinstry was still viewed as a nationally ranked defencemen and was invited to the Ivan Hlinka developmental camp the following season, alongside Bean and Malenstyn.
He returned to the Giants, but only appeared in 11 games during his 17-year-old season. It would also be the last time he played for the Giants, as he missed all of last season as well.
Despite all of that, the Hitmen still weren’t scared.
Prior to the trade, Chynoweth met with McKinstry and his parents in Calgary to discuss things.
“We had a good conversation about everything. He wants to come in and prove himself. He unfortunately hasn’t had the chance to show what he is capable of. We think he is going to be excited to play in his hometown,” said Chynoweth.
And he was bang on.
Upon learning about the trade, McKinstry’s interest and excitement peaked.
“I first found out about the trade through my agent. It is a great honour to be part of the Hitmen and their great organization,” said McKinstry. “I’m a hometown kid that grew up idolizing these guys. It’s a great honor to throw on the jersey.”
McKinstry has only thrown on the practice jersey thus far. He will don the real thing tomorrow night when the Hitmen take on the Prince Albert Raiders at the Art Hauser Centre in Prince Albert.
“I’m really excited to be here. There’s a great group of guys in here. I’m just going to try and play my game and do whatever it takes to win,” said McKinstry.
It’s that team-first mantra that Stukel remembers from their time together over the course of two seasons in Vancouver.
“I was great friends with him in Vancouver; he’s a very nice kid. He will be a big help for us on the blue line if he can stay healthy,” said Stukel, who played for the Giants for parts of seasons from 2012-16. “He was a great d-man, had a great stick and made great outlet passes.”
McKinstry’s body composition has changed slightly from the days when he shared a locker room with Malenstyn and Stukel. He currently stands 6-foot-1 and tips the scales just shy of 200 pounds.
On the ice, he looks smooth and natural. This week at practice, McKinstry was paired up with Brady Reagan, a 20-year-old blue liner that knows the ins and outs of the Hitmen defensive systems.
Nothing can be taken for granted, especially one’s health. But, if McKinstry can do his part, stay in the lineup and show the skills that made him a nationally ranked defencemen, the Hitmen could have really bolstered their blue line, not only this year, but next year as well.
“You always want to look at your roster a year in advance. It would be nice to have some options with the 1998’s moving forward. If he performs at the ability we think he can, it will make some tough decisions for us and not only help out the team, but his career, too,” said Chynoweth.
McKinstry claims he is 100 per cent healthy mentally and physically, and is looking forward to his first WHL game in some time.
Adding him onto a roster that still contains Bean for the time being, gives the Hitmen five left-handed shots and four right-handed sticks. Matching up right- and left-handed blue liners is not something of concern for Chynoweth or the coaching staff. They will play whoever can help the team the best that night.
The big question mark remaining is the presence of Bean.
Bean was not one of the six names the Hurricanes sent down to the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League earlier this morning and remains with the team.
In three pre-season games with the big club, the Hitmen undrafted product has appeared in three games with one assist and a plus-one rating.
The Hurricanes pre-season game finale is scheduled for Friday night when they host the Washington Capitals. They will open their season Oct. 7 when they host the Minnesota Wild.
The Hurricanes have nine regular season games to decide what they want to do with Bean.
As for the Hitmen, they are happy moving forward with or without Bean, wanting the best for the 19-year-old’s career.
Adding McKinstry can only help soften the blow of losing a talented defencemen like Bean.
The Giants didn’t want to comment on the article, as they wanted to respect McKinstry’s career moving forward with the Hitmen.
Giants’ play-by-play man Dan O’Connor issued a statement on behalf of the organization, stating: “The organization wishes (McKinstry) the best moving forward in his hockey career.”
The Hitmen will take on the Giants for the first time this season Jan. 31 in Langley.
Hitmen fans will get their first glimpse at McKinstry Oct. 6, when the Everett Silvertips make their way to the Scotiabank Saddledome.
