Golden Knights prospect Tyler Wong says he’s a natural scorer
Golden Knights prospect Tyler Wong expects to score a goal every game.
He didn’t expect to score three of them Sunday.
Wong recorded a hat trick in the team’s preseason opener against the Vancouver Canucks and has been one of the Golden Knights’ top performers in training camp.
The 5-foot-9-inch winger said Thursday morning he’s always been a point producer and goal scorer and added that he thinks he’s showcased his offensive abilities to Vegas’ coaching staff during camp.
“I know it’s just one game, but I’m looking to carry that on … in the future,” Wong said. “That’s my game. I like to be quick on the ice and win my battles … I don’t back down from anyone.”
Wong, 21, was a prolific scorer with the Lethbridge Hurricanes in the Western Hockey League, recording 51 goals and 109 points in 69 games last season.
He acknowledged the “big jump from the WHL to the NHL” but indicated he’s going to stick with his score-first mentality, regardless of the competition.
“My whole life I’ve been told, ‘You’re not big enough, you’re not fast enough, you’re not going to make it,’ ” Wong said. “These guys took a chance on me, and I’m looking to prove them right. I’ll do whatever it takes to do that and continue to produce.”
Finalizing the roster
Golden Knights coach Gerard Gallant said Thursday morning he hopes to have a handle on his regular-season roster by the final two preseason games.
“You’d like to have your team pretty closely set … we’ll have that,” he said. “We’ll give everybody an opportunity to play some games and get an opportunity to get some looks, and we’ll go from there.”
Gallant said he knows about 17 or 18 players who definitely will make the team and is letting everyone else compete for the final few spots. Vegas must submit a 23-man roster before opening day.
“That’s why we play the exhibition games. That’s why the rookies play the rookie games,” Gallant said. “As we move on, we’re going to get down the numbers … it’s not easy … guys are working hard and battling for those spots.”
Contact Sam Gordon at sgordon@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BySamGordon on Twitter.
