Dana Tyrell’s first 36 games of the 2011-12 hockey season have been an unusual balance of time.
The Airdrie-born forward played his 18th game with the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning, at Toronto, Jan. 3, and started the season with the AHL’s Norfolk Admirals for 18 games.
“I had a good training camp, but they had to cut one last guy,” Tyrell said before Tampa’s match up with the Maple Leafs. “(Steve) Yzerman called me into the office and told me I was going to the minors. I wasn’t quite expecting that one, but it didn’t have to do with my play; it was more of an opportunity to gauge some other assets. I was down there for a month, but I’m glad to be back up now.”
Tyrell, a former Airdrie Xtreme and UFA Bisons standout, signed a new two-year, $1.2-million contract with the Lightning on Nov. 28. Heading toward unrestricted free agency on July 1, he said he was excited to get a new deal signed and end the uncertainty.
“It’s good to have done and I know I’m going to be playing in the NHL for the next two years,” said Tyrell, Tampa’s 2007 second-round pick. “It’s definitely important and definitely takes it off my mind so I don’t have to worry about it all summer.”
The Lightning has struggled thus far in 2011-12, after coming within one game of the Stanley Cup finals. But the team, sitting 12th in the Eastern Conference with 37 points, has won three of its last four, as of press time, Jan. 4.
“We definitely haven’t been playing the same that we did last year,” Tyrell said. “We have some catching up to do if we want to make the playoffs. We have to put some games together if we want to have a successful season like we did last year.”
Tyrell, who has five points with the Lightning and had nine points with the Admirals, said Tampa’s Southeast Division has proved tougher this year with the unexpected success of the Florida Panthers and Winnipeg Jets.
“With them not having quite as successful years last year, they were able to do lots of rebuilding over the summer,” he said. “They’re doing really well and they’re fun teams to play against. They’re teams we’re trying to catch, so when we play them, those are huge points to get.”
Tyrell has been averaging between eight and 14 minutes of ice time per game with Tampa, but said his play has been too inconsistent thus far.
“I’m trying to use my speed and my intensity a little bit more, but I’m still trying to get comfortable. I just have to keep pushing and try to be a better player,” he said.
“I think it will come with more opportunities. With that comes confidence, and when you’re confident, you can play your best. That’s what I need to get back.”
