He arrived as a young kid, a 17-year-old still in high school, looking to find his way in the world of junior hockey. Fast forward to now, a 20-year-old who will wear the captains 'C' for the Steinbach Pistons as they come off their most successful season in franchise history capturing the Turnbull Cup and the ANAVET Cup. 

Tyson McConnell has truly come full circle.

For McConnell, his hockey career started in Pilot Mound, Manitoba. A population of fewer than 700 people but with deep roots in the sporting world. It's the home of NHL Hall Of Famer Black Jack Stewart and two time Tim Hortons Brier champion Nolan Thiessen.

It's there that McConnell found a love for the game of hockey. "I grew up playing with a couple little small towns combined," McConnell said. "I played throughout the years there until Bantam when a AAA regional program was formed. My second year there, I made Pembina Valley Hawks Bantam AAA team and I played there a year before moving on to the Midget program where I made the team as a 15-year-old. My second year, I was fortunate enough to win a championship with Pembina Valley. I was also fortunate enough to be the captain which was a great learning experience before coming (to Steinbach) as a 17-year-old."

During his years with the Pistons, McConnell has had great leaders around him like Tyler Penner, Jordan Bochinski and last season with Braden Purtill. Along with those taking bits from each, he also credits a player he was lucky enough to live with. "When I first got here, I lived with Quintin Lisoway," McConnell says with a smile. "He really helped a lot. He showed me what it takes to be a junior hockey player and what it takes."

McConnell has often been a heart and soul type player for the Pistons, one that's continued to find ways to grow his game. As he heads into his 4th MJHL season, he's looking to take yet another step. "I'm just going to keep playing the same way. Take pride in the same areas of the game and hopefully a little more offence. I'm just looking forward to another opportunity at another championship."

With every year there comes new challenges and new pressures. McConnell not only has to think about his play on the ice but how he will bond the team off the ice as well. "I don't really feel the pressure too much for that. We have 12 guys from last year that are coming back, new guys that have played junior hockey and we've become familiar with. I'm really not too worried and I think we're on the right path right now."

When talking about McConnell, the word 'respect' comes up a lot. From players, people in the community, parents and from the coaching staff. The respect goes both ways when it comes to the new captain and the head coach. "I've had a great relationship with Paul (Dyck), right from the get-go, right from when I got here and it's just grown over the years. He's a great person to be able to talk to, he's open to talking about anything and I hope we can build on that going into the season and try and get back to a championship."

After he was told he'd be the captain, McConnell made sure the first phone call went to the people who've supported him from the start. "The first call was to my parents," McConnell said with a laugh. "Actually, I got a text from them during practice, the team announced it and I had a couple texts, so I called them and they said they were proud and happy for me."

His parents weren't the only ones to let him know how proud they were and one of the first messages came from not only a former teammate but from a former billet brother. "Bradley Schoonbaert. He texted in the group chat when he found out. He was happy and it means a lot that a player of his magnitude. He was always a big supporter of me and it means a lot."

McConnell knows that a great leader needs other leaders around him and this year, Will Koop, Brady Tatro and Declan Graham will also wear the 'A's for the Pistons. A group of smart players and great people McConnell looks forward to working with and learning from. "There are numerous guys who are leaders and especially with the three assistants, they're all great guys. They know what it takes to win. It's going to be awesome to rely on them throughout the year. I can't wait to keep growing and working with them."

Being named captain still hasn't really sunk in yet for McConnell but it's easy to see he's excited at the new challenge. "To be chosen to lead this team on the tough trek back to a National Championship, it's something very special."

This will be Tyson McConnell's fourth home opener. The first as the final player onto the ice, with all his teammates and an entire community waiting to greet him. He says it's a moment he'll be sure to absorb. "It's pretty cool to come in as a little 17-year-old in your first opener, your nervous. Now, to come all the way to being the captain, it's going to be a pretty cool moment. Came full circle."