DRAFT: Tychonick's personality shines at Scouting Combine

EDMONTON, AB - It's a little bit like a loop.
Interviewing roughly 80 NHL Draft prospects at the NHL Scouting Combine, that is.
"It's pretty much becoming the same thing every year," said Oilers Director of Player Personnel Bob Green, who was in Buffalo, N.Y., for the 2018 edition of the event two weeks ago.
"Kids, every year, they get a little bit better at dealing with all these things. The pressures of being in their draft year and talking face-to-face to team personnel, that type of thing."

Aside from a few dinners dedicated to select attendees, the interview process is rather routine. Prospects and club personnel meet for twenty minutes and both sides are prepped for the occasion, causing each instance to feel somewhat rushed.
"It's tough to get a really good read on these guys in 20 minutes," said Green.
Unless, of course, you are defenceman Jonny Tychonick.
An energetic individual, who smiles when he speaks and answers each question with honesty. A two-way blueliner, who scores when he shoots and defends in his own end. A 12th-overall selection in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft, who went with his gut when deciding between committing to the Western Hockey League or NCAA.
"Me, I'm having so much fun," Tychonick, who ranked 36th among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting's final prospect rankings, told EdmontonOilers.com.
"I'm being myself. I'm having fun with the whole process. Hanging out with new guys, meeting new people from around the world. It's life-changing. I'm so happy to be here and it's unbelievable."
Himself, he was at the Combine. Tychonick's charisma is hard to come by, as many young NHL hopefuls generally remain reserved at the event. It made a lasting impression on many.
"The other guy who I found really intriguing," Sportsnet Junior Hockey Analyst Sam Cosentino said, "is Jonny Tychonick, who plays with the Penticton Vees."
As a 16-year-old on the Vees roster, Tychonick didn't achieve instant success. His prominence with the club took longer than he had initially expected but the 6-foot-0, 177-pound rearguard endured.
"He told us about his 16-year-old year and how he had some struggles personally," continued Cosentino. "His game reflected that. He was an introverted guy that didn't play a style of game that he's best accustomed to."
In the 2016-17 season, his first year with the Vees, Tychonick mustered three goals and 20 assists in 48 games. In the postseason, he registered four assists in 21 playoff games.
"Well, he seeks the help of a family friend. A sports psychologist. He gets things turned around and becomes a more gregarious, outgoing guy," said Cosentino.
Tychonick flourished in the 2017-18 campaign, netting nine goals and 47 points in 48 games, earning a BCHL First-Team All-Star nod and finishing third league-wide in defencemen scoring. He continued to dominate in the playoffs, adding three goals and 17 points in only 11 games.
"When I watched him back in January, his game showed that (change)," said Cosentino. "Get up and go, get into the play, high energy - that type of guy."
The happy-go-lucky prospect has a humble outlook on almost everything. He goes with his gut when making big decisions and speaks from his heart when explaining them.
"When I was in Saskatoon for (Blades) camp, I enjoyed it. I liked it," said Tychonick. "When I went to North Dakota and Penticton, I got there and I was like, 'Holy.' I loved it and my gut said it was calling my name right now, 'Jonny, you got to come here.' OK, this is the perfect option for me and I won't look back and regret it at all."

Tychonick fields interviews with optimism and confidence, unafraid of showing his true self. That aspect of his personality transcends to the ice. At the World U-18s playing for Team Canada, the 18-year-old wasn't asked to be the all-encompassing blueliner he was for the Vees and took the endeavour in stride.
"I had a little bit of a different role, wasn't kind of the go-to guy," he said of the tournament where he nabbed two helpers in five games. "There's a lot of great D in Canada. It's a battle and it's a process with internal competition and stuff like that. But I think what was most important was doing my role, playing my game and not trying to be something I'm not."
While there's not much merit put into the prospect interviews at the Combine, Tychonick - who met with 24 clubs - could be one of the few players to benefit from displaying his big personality.
"You're really looking to get to know these kids," said Green. "What type of kid are they? Do they have a lot of energy? Do they speak comfortably? Then you get into their backgrounds a little bit with their family."
The rearguard is projected to be chosen late in the first round or relatively early in the second and the Oilers own the 40th-overall selection. Tychonick is realistic about the upcoming Draft and how he's going to navigate his way to the NHL.
"The NHL is a huge step; the NCAA is a huge step. It's faster and stronger," said Tychonick, who will suit up for the University of North Dakota next season. The defender also detailed areas of his game he wants to improve.
"Active stick, body position and controlling my emotions. I think those are all important. I think that comes with maturity as well.
But there's no rush for the smile-happy defenceman, who seizes each day.
"It's going to be fun though and I'm going to take it all in."