Alexander Uryga is originally from North Vancouver, British Columbia. But now, it's a few provinces away where he calls home. The 20-year-old is in his first year with the Swan Valley Stampeders after starting the season with the Olds Grizzlys in the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
Since coming to Swan River, Uryga has played 47 games including playoffs and he's become a dominant force with his ability to change a game with a massive hit or a big goal.
"It's definitely a lot different than living up in Vancouver, but it's a really tight-knit community here and the fans love us," said Uryga. "It's like nothing I've experienced before. All the guys are super close together and it honestly couldn't be any better."
In the 43 regular season games, the 20-year-old added 34 points (15G) which is a very solid offensive input. It's in the playoffs where the veteran has taken his game to the next level. In the team's four Turnbull Cup playoff games so far, Uryga has six points (2G).
The 40 points total this year also ties a career-high for Alexander. He had 40 combined with the North Vancouver Wolf Pack who play in the Pacific Junior Hockey League back in 2015-16.
"I think the biggest thing is realizing my role on this team. We already have the top scorers like Tripp, Goethals, but our team really needs physical players and I fit that role," said Uryga. "I'm just trying to help this team in any way I can."
Since that season with the Wolf Pack, Uryga has been around the world to play the game he loves. He played two games in that season with Kelowna before going to play six games with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs in the BCHL. The first big change came in the 2017-18 season when he was Poland bound.
Uryga completely ripped up the junior scene in Poland. Playing with Polonia Bytom U20 team, he had seven regular season points in two games and he added nine more points in just four playoff games. While he was having that success, Alex also made the jump up to the men's team. It marked the first time that Uryga played against grown men at the professional level.
"My dad got a call from the organization, so I thought I might as well go experience the hockey in Poland and it was a great idea," added Uryga. "It was really different because I was playing with the older guys and I couldn't rely on my size anymore to have success because everyone else was strong as well. It really showed me what hockey is like outside of Canada."
"I had to learn some tricks out there which I was able to bring back here," he added.
Those six playoff points this year came in the Parkland battle as Uryga's Stamps' did quick work of Dauphin in sweeping them in four games. The Stamps' are now preparing for their MJHL semifinal series against the Steinbach Pistons. The best of seven will begin this weekend at the Centennial Arena.
"Our main goal is to obviously win the Turnbull Cup and Anavet Cup and go to the National Championship," said Uryga. "With that being said, that is a long way away so we're just going game by game at this point."
Stay tuned for more Stampeder coverage leading up to their semifinal series against Steinbach.