The Heart of a Champion
May 23, 2014 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Allen Americans News Release
Allen, Texas - The Allen Americans wrapped up their second straight Presidents' Cup title this season, with defenseman Daniel Tetrault finally hoisting his first ever Championship Trophy.
He was signed by Allen as a free agent last off-season, bringing almost 15 years of professional hockey experience to the Americans locker room, as well as leadership and true hockey grit. This was Tetrault's 3rd trip to the finals since the 2001-2002 season, with all of his previous teams falling a little short, until this year. Tetrault was a part of the Austin Ice Bats team of 2001 that lost to the Memphis Riverkings in five games. He also went to the finals a few years back with the Wichita Thunder, losing to Fort Wayne. While hinting that retirement is sooner than later, winning for a team in North Texas, a place he now calls home, made it even sweeter.
Tetrault grew up in Laboquerie, Manitoba, lacing up his first pair of skates at the age of four as a figure skater. His love for the game grew watching his father play in the Senior Hockey Leagues in his home province of Manitoba. Daniel began playing in the Manitoba Youth Hockey Association at age 5 and quickly realized this is where he wanted to be. His older brother, Joel, was a goaltender, and also a big inspiration to Daniel in his youth. He also had two younger brothers who played hockey, Colin, a defensmann, and Justin, a winger who were also gifted young hockey players.
He played four and a half seasons of junior hockey with the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League under head Coach Bob Lowes. Tetrault credits Lowes for really pushing him as a young adult. He compared Lowes' style much to that of Steve Martinson, a hard-nosed, "finish your checks" and gritty coach, who helped mold him into the hockey player he is today.
Tetrault considered quitting hockey in his late teens due to some personal issues in his life at the time, but stayed with it thanks to Lowes and the people around him in hockey. It was after Major Juniors that things began to fall into place for Tetrault. First, being drafted 91stoverall by the Montreal Canadians in 1997, his childhood team, was a dream come true. "It was surreal," said Tetrault. "Sitting in the old Igloo in Pittsburgh and hearing your name called by the commissioner, *'drafted by the Canadians'*, words can't describe that feeling"
Tetrault began in the minors playing in the old WPHL for the Austin Ice Bats. He played there two seasons before moving on to Trenton in the ECHL. It was there where his first AHL call-up came, playing in six games with Bridgeport on the American circuit in 2002. In 2003, he would return to Austin for a half season before getting traded to New Mexico for two years. He would continue his AA hockey journey with stops in Wichita, Port Huron, back to Wichita again, Evansville and finally Allen, Texas. His last stop, as he put it, on the minor league hockey train.
"I felt Allen was my best place to win a championship," said Tetrault when talking about why he chose Allen and not return to Wichita for a third time. "Not to mention, I now live here, so if they wanted me it just made sense to sign here. I always respected the Americans organization on the way they handled their business and the way they treated their players. Guys talk in this league and everyone always said Allen is one of the best places to play in hockey."
It wasn't long before Tetrault quickly became a fan favorite at the AEC, mainly for the way he plays the game. Daniel Tetrault is one of the hardest hitters in the open ice in the league. His leadership on and off the ice was one of the main reasons the Americans pursued him last off-season. "He's a great leader and an unbelievable teammate," said Bruce Graham about Tetrault. The two didn't play together long, as Graham didn't arrive until late in the regular season, but the two quickly formed a friendship.
"We had a great group of guys who wanted to win," said Tetrault. "In the end our team wanted more than everyone we played and it showed on the ice. Our guys never blinked once during the finals, taking care of business in five games to knock out a great Denver team."
In the end, Tetrault finally was able to bring to life his childhood dream, when he took the Presidents' Cup from Mike Berube at center ice. "It was a night I will never forget," he said. "It was surreal, I just kept hoping I wouldn't wake up and it was all a dream. I will be forever grateful to the Americans organization, my teammates and the great fans of Allen for making this the best year of my life."
The Americans will begin their sixth season in the Central Hockey League this October, with the chance to win their third in a row. Whether or not Daniel Tetrault will be on the ice that night remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure, "Tetsie", as he is called by his teammates, will never be forgotten in Allen. He's great leader, friend and one hell of a hockey player. Congrats, Daniel, you finally got your CUP.
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Central Hockey League Stories from May 23, 2014
- The Heart of a Champion - Allen Americans
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