Taylor Gauthier plays for Prince George, but is from elsewhere.
Jared Young is from Prince George, but plays elsewhere.
These two athletes are again making strides as they continue to raise their stock; Gauthier in hockey and Young in baseball.
The 17-year-old Gauthier is not only pencilled in as the PG Cougars starting goalie in the 2018-19 season but is one of two (along with Nolan Maier of the Saskatoon Blades) tending net for Canada’s Under-18 team at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Edmonton.
The 23-year-old Young is making a habit of being named the Chicago Cubs minor league player of the month.
He received that honour both in June and July.
Gauthier, whose hometown is Calgary, had a taste of international hockey last season when he wore Canadian colours at the World Under-17 Challenge in Fort. St. John and Dawson Creek, but the Hlinka Gretzky Cup is higher profile.
“When you keep progressing with Team Canada, it means a little bit more every time,” said Gauthier.
“Instead of three (Canadian) teams, there is only one so it’s that much more of an honour. Instead of six goalies, I’m one of the two selected to wear the maple leaf.”
Gauthier played in Canada’s 4-3 exhibition loss to the Czech Republic, allowing four goals on 32 shots.
He was the back-up in the tournament opener, a 10-0 whipping of Switzerland where Maier made just 15 saves for the shutout.
Gauthier was in net in the 4-2 victory over Slovakia, a game where Canada outshot the opponent 58-19.
Meier got his turn against Sweden, the third game and final one of the round robin.
The Canadians edged the Swedes 4-3 as Maier blocked 18 shots.
Canada, which has won the tournament 21 out of 27 times, including 9 of the last 10, will play in the semi-finals tonight against the United States.
The gold and bronze medal games take place on Saturday.
“Anytime you represent your country at this kind of level you are going to feel a little bit of pressure, especially having it on home soil for the first time,” said Gauthier.
“The boys are clicking really well and I think we have a good chance at it this year.”
Just two weeks down the road, Gauthier will be at the Cougars training camp.
In his rookie WHL season, he put up modest numbers with an 8-18-2 record, a 3.96 GAA and a .885 save percentage on a team that struggled in its own end.
Those stats should improve dramatically as his responsibility increases.
Last year’s starter, Tavin Grant has been released.
“It was tough news to hear. He and I had a pretty good relationship. He helped me throughout my first year in the league. It’s a business. He and I both understand that. I am just looking forward to getting into camp with Isaiah (DiLaura) to compete for the number one spot,” stated Gauthier.
Meanwhile, Young has been in the swing of things which has led to his recognition within the Cubs organization.
He graduated to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans High-A Level last month after starting the year with the South Bend Cubs where he was named a mid-season Midwest League All-Star.
“Some of the adjustments are minor. It’s the same game just a little bit better baseball,” said Young in an interview this week.
The 23-year-old Young is batting .307 with 14 homers and 67 RBI’s in 94 games between South Bend and Myrtle Beach in his first full season of minor league baseball.
In 25 games with Myrtle Beach, he is batting .289 with four homers and 14 RBI’s.
“It’s been a good year so far and a little longer than I anticipated but it’s been a lot of fun.”
Young has been a true utility player, appearing in 66 games at first base, 17 games in left field and two games at second base.
He was selected by the Cubs in the 15th round of the 2017 MLB Draft out of Old Dominion University, however, in the midst of the season, there is virtually no contact with the big league team.
“They’ve got their hands full up there trying to win another championship and we’re down here in the minors so it’s a little bit different than what some might think.”
While Gauthier is set to enter his NHL Draft year, Young has been progressing rapidly within one of baseball’s best organizations.
Both are making the most of an opportunity of taking their talents to the next level.
For the second straight month, @jaredyoung9 of @Pelicanbaseball is the Minor League Player of the Month for the @Cubs | https://t.co/uxy8a2kJVD #CityofPG #Sports pic.twitter.com/EXnaKcP7aY
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) August 9, 2018
FROM THE QUOTE RACK:
HBO announced that LeBron James will be hosting a new talk show set in a barbershop in Los Angeles and it’s called “The Shop.” Apparently, LeBron’s talk show is going to be him and four random guests you may or may not have heard of. You know, like when he plays basketball.
*Late Late Show host James Corden
Johnny Manziel threw four first-half interceptions for the Montreal Alouettes in his first CFL game. So Johnny’s auditioning to get back with the Cleveland Browns?
*Comedy writer Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com
A study says athletes feel constant pressure from our win-at-all-costs culture. This means there should be a great sigh of relief coming from everyone playing for the Cleveland Browns.
*Comedy writer Jim Barach http://jokesbyjim.blogspot.ca/
Former Steeler Martavius Bryant is reportedly having difficulty learning the Raiders offense, so Coach Jon Gruden has simplified it for him—–he is now the pebble in the sand instead of the bottle cap.
*Contributor Bill Littlejohn
Star receiver Antonio Brown arrived at the Pittsburgh Steelers training camp in a helicopter. Holdout RB Le’Veon Bell, not to be outdone, immediately booked a Brinks truck.
*Dwight Perry of the Seattle Times http://www.seattletimes.com/author/dwight-perry/
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
Carmelo Anthony wants an Atlanta jersey with his name on it, even though he was waived without playing one second as a Hawk. In fact, he’s just a technical fowl.
*Comedy writer RJ Currie www.Sportsdeke.com
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Hartley Miller is the sports director and morning news anchor for 94.3 the GOAT.
He also is the 94.3 radio colour commentator for P.G. Cougars home games.
His column appears Fridays on myprincegeorgenow.com.
Send along a quote, note, or anecdote to [email protected].
Follow him on Twitter: @Hartley_Miller