OHLs Cuma In Charge

If you were to ask an OHL scout who Tyler Cuma was at the beginning of the season you may have gotten some blank stares and some dog-eared scouting notebooks may not even have had his name in them at all. Fast forward to nine months later and you would be hard pressed not to see his name circled somewhere close to the top on those same lists.

That sums up Cuma in a nutshell. A player who came out of no where and whose sheer will and determination to succeed was never questioned once throughout the season. His consistent and strong play was largely responsible in leading his team the Minor Midget Mississauga Ice Dogs to an impressive 20-8-3 record.

"I didn't start off like I wanted too" admits the left shooting Cuma. "I kept a positive attitude, practised really hard and with the help of the coaching staff eventually things fell into place."

A good coach is able to identify the strengths of his players and make the appropriate adjustments for the good of the team. So when Cuma was approached before the season by the coaching staff to play defence from his normal forward role needless to say he was a tad apprehensive. Being a team player who bought into the team concept, Cuma agreed and accepted his new role admirably. The move paid off, as Cuma learned on the job and eventually became one of the best at his position and was drafted sixth overall by the Ottawa 67's as a result.

The 67's saw the potential in Cuma and wasted no time drafting him.

"I couldn't be happier to be part of the 67's organization" says a glowing Cuma. "Coach Kilrea is a legend, he has helped so many players before me realize their dreams of playing in the NHL and I am happy that he thought so much of me to take me in the first round."

Cuma joins a fairly experienced defence corps. Players such as Elgin Reid and San Jose draftee Derek Joslin are entering their third seasons with the 67's and already have a Memorial Cup appearance under their belts. Surrounding Cuma with those types of players is exactly what Ottawa management wants as their presence alone will have a positive influence on grooming their future number one blue liner. Cuma is realistic and understands that cracking this roster is not a guarantee.

"I look to be in a 5 or 6 pairing and work my way up" states Cuma. "I know there are quite a number of defensemen returning so I am going to have to prove myself by the way I play."

The way Cuma plays is exactly what got drafted him so high in the first place!

Cuma is certainly a player an OHL team can build around on the back end. He has great power play quarterbacking skills and has offensive abilities one simply can not teach. He plays a physical game as he looks to punish forwards with bone crunching hits. He boasts modest size at 6'1, 175 but will most certainly get bigger and stronger once he fully develops.

"I feel that my vision is my best asset" states a modest Cuma. "If there are any areas of concern that I need to address in the off season it is my foot speed. I need to make some minor adjustments due to the new rules. At times I have a tendency of lunging when I attempt to make a hit so I will have to learn to just play my man straight."

It was considered a very strong draft year for defenders this season in the OHL. There were four defenders chosen ahead of Cuma and remarkably he was the sixth overall pick. Many of these defenseman may even be drafted into the NHL in a few short seasons, a dream they all share along with Cuma. However a more obtainable goal is currently in Cuma's sights and that includes earning a roster spot on the Under 17 Ontario Team. The competition will be tough for Cuma. His work ethic and skill set has gotten him this far and having a little faith from Mike Futa, Director of Operations for the Team Ontario didn't hurt either. Cuma has plenty of time to impress the coaching staff before the final selections will be made in mid November for all participating players who will compete in Whitehorse for the Canada Winter Games.

"I thought I played really well" comments Cuma during Team Ontario's three day evaluation camps held in Guelph. "I did not have the best regional camp but I was fortunate that Mr.Futa had confidence in me and called me on as a wild card. I really want to prove that I belong and that I am worthy of making this team. It is a chance to represent your province which hopefully leads to other things like the Under 18 team and my ultimate goal making the World Juniors."

Cuma's accession to OHL stardom is not a guarantee. However if the past is any indication to the future, history may just repeat itself and in a few short seasons Cuma may realize his goals on the biggest stage of all, the NHL.