Nick Doyle played 113 games (including playoffs) with the Waywayseecappo Wolverines. Those 113 contests came after he suited up in 52 games with the Portage Terriers, 16 of which came in the 2017 playoffs as Portage beat OCN in six games to win the Turnbull Trophy.
Portage lost the first two games of that series by a combined score of 14-3 before they stormed right back to win four straight games and Doyle had two assists in the playoff run.
In his final year as a junior hockey player last year, Doyle served as the team's captain as they advanced to the postseason in fifth place, but they never found out far they could go as the season was shut down in early March. Over his two seasons with Waywayseecappo, Nick scored 17 times as he finished with 61 points with the team.
"I didn't really know what to expect when I was traded. They were going through a change with their coaching staff and arena," said Doyle. "With that said, I couldn't have asked for more. I would say my two seasons with Waywayseecappo were my two favourite seasons as a junior player."
As is the case for most junior players, the goal is to advance to the next level whether it be professionally or collegiately. Two months into Doyle's tenure as Wayway's captain, the Minot State Beavers of the ACHA reached out to Nick as did some other teams south of the border. Ultimately, Nick made his decision and he is now on fire with Minot State as they have entered their Christmas break.
Former Dauphin King Brayden Pawluk committed to the Beavers and it was just what Doyle was looking for. After playing one season for the Omaha Lancers, he moved back to Canada to play full-time for four seasons and now, the former MJHL champion and Wolverine is once again living south of the border as his first season with Minot State is well underway.
"It's definitely a transition living out here. Things are done differently," said Doyle. "There was a little bit of an adjustment period, but I've gotten the hang of it, and I'm enjoying my time here."
MJHL flavour:
Nick is just one of many former players who played junior hockey in Manitoba. On top of Brayden Pawluk, Doyle is joined by Dylan Cassie, Justin Metcalf, and Carter Barley, just to name a few of the players that used to play in the MJHL.
"It's always nice joining a team where you know some of the players," said Doyle. "It just makes things that much more comfortable and I think that benefits me coming in as a rookie to one of the top teams around."
Offensive domination:
Doyle spent his junior days as a defenceman and he was expecting that to be the case as he began his college career this year. That isn't the case; however, as the former Wolverine has gotten plenty of offensive opportunities.
When Connor Navrot -- a former Swan Valley Stampeder -- was sidelined with an injury, Doyle joined the forward group and he's done nothing but score. In nine games, Doyle has scored five times and he has 11 points, a total that is tied for the second-most on the team. Carter Barley, a former Portage Terrier and Selkirk Steeler leads the team with 13 points.
Doyle's five markers are also the second-most on the team, behind Wowryk who played with the Steelers, Terriers, and the Winnipeg Blues.
"I would definitely say I have overachieved so far, I didn't expect to produce as much as I have," offered Doyle. "I've only played one game on the back end so far this season, so I've been given a great chance to produce and I'm just doing whatever I can to help this team win."
And winning is what Minot State has done as they enter the Christmas break at 8-1 and they have won four straight games. The team's only loss was a 6-5 defeat against the Jamestown Jimmies.
"Our chemistry is off the charts right now," ended Doyle. "We have great goaltending, a solid back end, and our forwards are finding a way to score. We're clicking in all areas right now and everyone is pleased."
