New Vancouver Giant Thorpe proving to be everything advertised by the old Giant Miner

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Former Vancouver Giants goalkeeper Trent Miner received one of the last phone calls from team general manager Barclay Parneta before the club switched to Ty Thorpe this summer, and one of Thorpe’s first calls after the deal was closed.

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Parneta had been a fan of Thorpe’s game since his junior hockey days. When Parneta heard from rival Brandon Wheat Kings that he might be able to acquire the right center this offseason, he was instantly excited.

One of Parneta’s final steps before signing a trade was signing up with Miner, whose four-year career as a Giants guard came to an end last spring. Miner and Thorpe grew up together in the Brandon, Man area. They were on opposing teams rising through the ranks for a time, and were teammates on bantamweight.

Miner was routinely praised for his character and preparation during his time in Vancouver. When he told Parneta that Thorpe would fit in with the Giants, it was yet another proof that Parneta was in favor of a trade.

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Vancouver landed Brandon’s 6-foot, 180-pound Thorpe for a conditional selection from the 2023 WHL 6th-round Draft, and Thorpe has been one of Vancouver’s best players in his 3-2-0-0 start. Teams don’t routinely give details on conditional picks in trades, but the sixth round tends to need an update.

Thorpe, 19, has been in the first unit power play, and has been one of Vancouver’s top penalty shootout killers. Perform key matchups. Play in the last minute when Vancouver has an advantage and when they need a goal.

He also appears as one of its leaders. Included in that is being Jesper Vikman’s billet partner and helping the Swedish goalkeeper adjust to life in North America.

“Trent was a landmark character,” Parneta explained. “If he had said something negative, it could have made things difficult for him. He said Ty could do what we do here. He affirmed what we had thought. “

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When Thorpe called Miner after the exchange, Thorpe says that Miner “said all the good things and they have been true.”

“They demand a high level of excellence here,” Thorpe continued. “They have a phenomenal training. And you have to come every day ready to work ”.

Thorpe had already been traded once in the WHL. He was a 2017 third-round draft pick from the Victoria Royals, but they traded him before he settled in there, sending him to his hometown Wheat Kings on the 2018 trade deadline as part of the trade that moved Brandon’s captain. and to the Tanner Kaspick Center to Vancouver Island.

Thorpe already has three goals and six points for Vancouver. That matches his totals in 21 games last spring with Brandon. He scored six goals and 18 points in 60 games for the Wheat Kings in the 2019-20 season.

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He says he just has more opportunities to play offensive situations. He has scored points in the past, including his 15 goals and 33 points in 33 games with the Rink Hockey Academy prep team in 2017-18.

“I take pride in my role on defense and on penalties. But it has been good, being a veteran player, expanding that role and having the opportunity to play in the first six minutes and in the power game, “said Thorpe. “Everybody that came into this league was a high-level guy on their bantam and midget teams. It is not an easy transition. I remember what it was like to try to get into the lineup. It’s good to get back to that more offensive game. “

Vancouver captain Justin Sourdif labels Thorpe a “very underrated player”, and then goes a step further, saying Thorpe is “the best 200-footer I’ve seen in a long, long time.”

“I’m glad he has the opportunity to show what he can do with us,” continued Sourdif, a center. “It has been very good for us. I am very happy to have it. “

Miner, 20, is old enough to be with the Giants this season, but instead is playing on the farm system of the Colorado Avalanche, the team that used a seventh-round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft to secure your rights. He signed a contract with the Avs last May and is currently with the ECHL affiliate Utah Grizzlies.

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