Tyler Bunz: Living out His Dream at the Oilers Development Camp

Picked 121st in the 2010 NHL Entry Level Draft last month, Edmonton goaltender Tyler Bunz’s dreams came true when he was selected by his hometown team, the Edmonton Oilers. Despite being the youngest of three goalies at the recent Oilers development camp, Tyler managed to make quite the impression, where he faced shots from prospects like Taylor Hall, Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson and Jordan Eberle.

Only 18 years old, this past season, he opened in net for 57 games with the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers, achieving his record best goals against average and save percentage in his three years there. Youthink had the opportunity to interview Tyler about playing in net and his experience at the development camp where over 500 people packed Clareview Arena every morning from July 6th to July 9th to watch him and the other prospects for the first time.

YT: Why did you choose to be a goalie?

TB: I actually didn’t want to be a goalie, I wanted to be a forward. My parents "mysteriously" switched my position on the signup sheet from forward to goaltender. Kind of ironic how it turned out to be the better decision for me!

YT: Who is your idol in terms of goaltending?

TB: Marc-André Fleury has always been my idol. I love the way he plays, and how hard he competes. He's a very quick goalie and is always aware. He reads and anticipates plays before they even happen, which is something every goalie needs to learn to do.

YT: Do you have any pre-game rituals, or a pump-up song you listen to before you go on the ice?

TB: Every player has their own pre-game rituals, not because they're superstitious, but it gets them into the same feeling they have night in and night out so they aren't out of step. I don't have a favourite pump-up song, we just listen to someone's iPod in the dressing room.

YT: You’re from St. Albert, right outside Edmonton, so what’s it like getting drafted by the Oilers? Did you cheer for the Oilers when you were growing up?

TB: It's a dream come true. I never in a million years thought that out of all the teams, Edmonton would be the one to choose me. It's an honour to be looked at as a future goalie prospect with the Edmonton Oilers. I loved them as a kid and have always cheered for them growing up, so to be drafted to your favourite team, and hometown team, is very special.

YT: What did you think about the amount of people showing up to watch the development camp over the week? Were you surprised?

TB: At first I was, but then you think about how much passion the city has for the Edmonton Oilers, and how they have supported them through the ups and downs and it doesn't surprise you at all. They love the Oilers and it was amazing to see how much people came to watch.

YT: How do you think you did at the camp?

TB: I thought I had a pretty good camp. I enjoyed every part of it and it was an experience I'll never forget. The level of play was exceptional and it was good to get good and bad criticism from their goalie coach, on what to continue doing, and what to work on.

YT: What was the most exciting part of the camp?

TB: I think the most exciting part was meeting all the guys, like Hall, Eberle, Svensson, Pitton, etc. The whole group was full of great guys and it was fun to compete with, and against those guys.

YT: What do you have planned for your future?

TB: I see myself playing in Medicine Hat for at least three more years, hopefully signing a contract, playing in the AHL then moving up to the NHL. Goalies take a while to develop so it takes a longer period before they are ready to make that next step.