Canton's Tyler Sensky Living the Dream With Plymouth Whalers

Photo of Tyler Sensky by Rena Laverty

Wednesday – Plymouth at Owen Sound - 7 pm, 88.1FM WSDP.

Thursday – Plymouth at Barrie – 7:30 pm, 88.1FM WSDP.

To hear Plymouth Whalers’ defenseman Tyler Sensky tell his story, it’s a typical refrain found with young players in Kitchener, London or Owen Sound – where the Whalers play on Wednesday night against the Attack.

Young players in Ontario Hockey League cities often aspire to play for their home-town team.

But Sensky’s story has a unique, local angle. The Canton-native always wanted to play for the Whalers. He’s getting his wish now.

Now in his first full season with the Whalers, Sensky continues to develop as a steady, stay-at-home defenseman who currently leads Plymouth in plus/minus.

Injuries and suspensions to other defensemen have given Sensky a chance to develop quicker and he is taking advantage of the opportunity.

Some local players feel there’s a lot of unwanted pressure in playing for their home-town team. Sensky feels differently.

“I was always a Whalers fan,” he said recently. “I was part of the fan club. I went to almost every single game. I have pictures of me in a Whalers jerseys when I was five-years-old.

“Ryan Ramsay (2001-03) was my favorite Whaler. He could score goals and was a hard working player.”

Taken by Plymouth in the 12th round (236th overall) of the 2013 OHL Priority Selection, the Whalers selected someone they knew very well. Like Stefan Noesen, James Wisniewski, Pat Peake, Damian Surma, and Alex Aleardi – among others - Sensky spent a long time in the Compuware Youth program.

“I spent five years with Compuware – all my AAA years, expect for one,” he said. “It was great. I had great coaching, great teammates and it seemed like we always played on a championship team. It was a great learning experience.”

The Whalers’ selection of Sensky was a cause for celebration within the family.

“It was a dream to be drafted by the Whalers,” Sensky. “My dad (Scott) started crying when I got drafted. It’s been amazing. I could not ask for a better experience.”

Like a lot of first-year Whalers, Sensky had to sit and watch his first year. He did play in the Outdoor Classic game on Dec. 29, 2013 at Comerica Park among six regular season games and two playoff games.

Sensky uses a basic approach to succeed.

“I’m just looking to make the simple play and trying the make sure the puck doesn’t end up in our net,” he said. “If the puck gets out of our zone, that’s all that we need – and then our forwards can put the puck in the net.”

He’s made a smooth transition from last year’s position coach (Joe Stefan) to John Vigilante this season.

“I skated with Vig over the summer,” Sensky said. “He’s always encouraging us to make the simple plays. He’s probably the reason why I’m leading the team in plus/minus right now, because he tells me if I make the simple plays, I’ll be fine. That’s what I’m trying to focus on.”

Vigilante appreciates Sensky’s approach to the game.

“So far, so good with Tyler,” Vigilante said. “As long as he keeps working hard and remains a student of the game, he has an opportunity to be a real good player for us. He’s on a good path right now.”

AWAY AT WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS: Whalers Sonny Milano and Alex Nedeljkovic are not on the trip to Owen Sound and Barrie for a good reason. They are trying out for Team USA for the upcoming 2015 World Junior Championships, being held Dec. 26 – Jan. 5 in Toronto and Montreal.

Plymouth defenseman Yannick Rathgeb also received an invitation to play for Switzerland.

The Whalers have re-called goaltender Tyler Johnson to fill in while Nedeljkovic is away. Left wing Jacob Collins – recalled last weekend – remains with the Whalers and will play this week in Owen Sound and Barrie.