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After Shortened Season, Inamoto Eager to Make Up Ground

By Becky Olsen, 05/03/16, 8:00AM EDT

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U17 Defenseman Played in 27 of 58 Games This Season


Photo by Rena Laverty

Tyler Inamoto’s first year with USA Hockey's National Team Development Program didn’t go quite as he had hoped.

Injuries, including a broken bone in his foot, limited the defenseman to just 27 of 58 games for the U.S. National Under-17 Team, which went through its usual first-year struggles against older competition.

“It was tough not to play, but I did go and make the best of it,” Inamoto said. “I would go to the rink and hang out with the guys. It was a way to stay involved. I could still work out my upper body, which was good, but it was hard not to be out there.”

Not being able to lace up and play forced the Barrington, Illinois, native to practice patience, something that’s hard when you’re not able to play the game you love.

“I first started playing when I was 4 years old,” he said. “I started in hockey because of my dad. He was a huge fan, especially of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“I loved playing the game. I loved how fast it was and all the action that is part of the game. I was always excited to watch the sport as a kid, and I still get pumped to watch hockey today. I’m a huge Blackhawks fan.”

Inamoto hasn’t always been a defenseman. In fact, he was a forward for his first five-plus years of youth hockey.

“Then one year, I was getting tired of playing forward so I decided to try defense,” he said. “I just fell in love with the position.”

After going to Minnesota and playing for Shattuck-St. Mary’s in 2014-15, Inamoto jumped at the opportunity to join the NTDP this season. Despite the injuries and missed time he finished with three assists on the year and learned some valuable lessons along the way.

“I found it was tough to play against older guys,” he said. “It made you realize how hard you have to work to be successful. It was hard to watch the team struggle when I couldn’t be out there. It’s going to help us next year.”

Inamoto said the Under-17 Team showed perseverance this season, and he expects the struggles on the ice will make the team stronger next year.

“I think by going through what we did this year, we are only going to be stronger,” he said. “We really started to become one unit. I like to hang out with the guys. We enjoy our time off, getting to know each other, whether it is fishing, or bowling or just hanging out. It’s going to be weird to leave here and not see them every day, but I know we will be back together shortly.”

Despite all the trials from this year, he’ll head home with some great memories, especially the game against Russia at the Five Nations Tournament in February at USA Hockey Arena.

“It was such a great game in front of a full house,” Inamoto said of the 5-3 loss. “The crowd was so loud when we scored the one goal to tie the game. It was crazy.”

Experiences like that in international play really drive in the uniqueness of being able to compete for Team USA, Inamoto said.

“Not everybody gets the opportunity to play for Team USA and represent the country,” he said. “It’s special to me, and that I am forever grateful for to have the opportunity to play for Team USA.

“I know the opportunity and every moment I have to earn it. It’s been unbelievable. I need to remember that we are representing something that is bigger than ourselves. I have come to respect everything this country has given me, and I want to represent it the best that I can.”

Inamoto, who also suffered a similar foot injury a few years ago, knows what he needs to do to prepare for his U18 season with Team USA.

“This summer, I’m going back home to Chicago. I will train with Kevin Delaney, who I have been working with for years in the gym,” he said. “My goal is to get bigger, stronger and faster.”

That will be key, especially as he and his teammates take on college opponents next season.

“The speed of the game will definitely be different,” he said. “We will have to be able to play at a faster pace and keep our composure. It might be rough to adjust to at first, but I think we can do it.”

Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.

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Photo by Rena Laverty

Tyler's Favorites

Favorite NHL Player
Ryan McDonagh

Favorite Movie
Unbroken

Favorite TV Show
The Walking Dead

Favorite Actor
Tom Hanks

Favorite Actress
Rebel Wilson

Favorite Music
Florida Georgia Line

Favorite Home-Cooked Meal
Chicken Parmesan

Favorite Activity Away from Rink
Baseball and Fishing