By Mike Klees
UWRF Sports Information

Falcon sophomore Tyler Kostiuk has developed a reputation in the NCHA as a playmaker.

He may not have the numbers that some players have, but he has a knack for scoring that timely goal or finding the open man late in the game. His passing ability makes him one of the most important players on the team and also one of the most popular.

"He is an extremely gifted passer and has great hands," said Falcon Coach Steve Freeman. "He’s a very valuable playmaker."

Growing up in British Colombia, Kostiuk was influenced hockey-wise by his older brother, Todd, who was a year older than him. His favorite NHL team growing up was the Edmonton Oilers, but the player that influenced him the most growing up was Paul Kariya. After a successful high school career in Cranbrook, B.C., Kostiuk went to play for Fernie of the AWHL. In 2003, he was one of the league’s premier players, scoring 19 goals and dishing out a league-leading 61 assists. Freeman discovered Kostiuk, along with current Falcon Jared Sailer, on a recruiting trip to Fernie and convinced them to come to UW-RF. Kostiuk said that he chose to come here because he liked the overall atmosphere of the school.

In his freshman year as a Falcon, Kostiuk showed the same offensive flair that he did in Fernie. He dished out eight assists and scored six goals, including one game-winner against UW-Stout. He was named the team’s player of the Week after scoring two goals to give the Falcons two hard fought ties on a conference road trip. His ability to see the ice and move the puck up the ice made him an important addition to the Falcons roster. So far in the 2004-05 season he has picked up four assists.

Kostiuk says that his main weapon as a hockey player is his passing ability and his puck handling. He is undersized for his position, but is more than able to make up for this with his natural abilities. Kostiuk is also one of the most consistent players on the Falcons, which is the one thing he says the team needs to work on if they want to achieve their goal of a national championship. He believes that they have the talent, but need to work on the mental part of the game.

"We are a hard working team and we’re always looking to get better after every game," said Kostiuk.
Off the ice, he enjoys anything that’s competitive, especially golfing, and enjoys hanging out with the guys. Kostiuk says that he enjoys living in the U.S., but that Canada will always be home.

Kostiuk also has many superstitions including a certain routine for putting on his gear before every game.
After Kostiuk, a marketing communications major, is done playing hockey at UW-RF he plans on going out into the world and getting a job. The thing he will miss most about playing is hanging out with his teammates and with his passing skills his teammates will miss him as well.

"I’m going to miss the whole team atmosphere," said Kostiuk. "Going to the rink everyday and seeing the guys."

Tyler Kostiuk