Q&A with Regina Pat Canadians goaltender Kelton Pyne
REGINA, Saskatchewan — Kelton Pyne is a grade 11 student at Greenall High School in Balgonie, Sk. is a goaltender with the Regina Pat Canadians of the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey league. The White City resident was named a Second Team All-Star this season, his second year in the SMAAAHL. He played last year with the Estevan Bears but moved to the Pat Canadians after being listed by the Pats.
On February 8, 2022, Pyne got called up to the Regina Pats and played in his first Western Hockey League game on the road in Edmonton. He stopped 36 of 42 shots in a 6-3 loss to the Oil Kings. Three nights later he made his home debut as he lead the Pats to a 5-0 win over the visiting Calgary Hitmen. Pyne stopped 24 shots en route to his first shutout in just his second WHL game. He would go on to play in nine games for the Pats, finishing with a 5-2 record and two shutouts. He also posted a 31 save shutout in his only Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League start, a November 3, 2021 start for the Melville Millionaires.
Pyne played his minor hockey with the Prairie Storm organization. 2021-22 was his 11th season playing hockey. We sat down with this 2022-23 Regina Pats hopeful for a Q and A.
What are your personal goals?
Kelton Pyne: I love every aspect of hockey and I want to play professionally.
What is your biggest challenge within your sport?
Pyne: I think the biggest challenge has been how to deal with mistakes and not hang onto them. You must learn from them, but you can’t dwell on negative outcomes.
What do you love about your sport?
Pyne: The high level of competitiveness and being around my teammates.
Do you have a pre-game ritual?
Pyne: I am consistent with my pre-game meals. I usually have chicken alfredo. At the rink I prepare for every game the same way. I focus on keeping my thoughts on the game at hand.
What is the best piece of advice you received form a coach or mentor?
Pyne: To never lose that drive and motivation that I had after going undrafted in the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft.
Pyne has improved his game immensely since 2020 and will push for a spot in the WHL this fall. He may have been passed up in the WHL Prospect Draft, he certainly has put himself in contention for a spot with the 2022-23 version of the Regina Pats. Over 20% of WHL players are undrafted. Kelton Pyne hopes to join NHLers Shea Weber, Jamie Benn and Duncan Keith as undrafted WHL prospects to play in the WHL and fulfill his goal of playing professionally.
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