Scott MacDonald
The transition in to the NHL hasn’t been the easiest for Tyson Jost. A first-round pick of the Avalanche, expectations were — and still are — quite high for Jost. And after an inconsistent and overall pretty average first three years of his career, it seems Jost has turned a corner. Through the first few weeks of this season, Jost has been one of the most consistent and effective players for Colorado.
“I feel great,” Jost said recently. “I think honestly at the end of the year last year, and even into the bubble, I thought I took a step….I’m someone who always works hard and puts the work first and wanted to take another step this year, and I’m feeling good right now.”
Jost has carved out a niche for himself, and it’s a role that was somewhat unexpected of him as he was entering the league.
In 2016, Tyson Jost was setting records in the BCHL. After scoring 42 goals and 104 points in 48 games with the Penticton Vees, Jost was named the recipient of the Vern Dye Memorial Trophy as the league’s MVP, in addition to being named the CJHL’s top forward and the CJHL MVP.
The following year, he took his offensive talents to the college ranks, joining the University of North Dakota, where he continued his success on the offensive side of the puck, scoring 16 goals and 35 points in 33 games. Early scouting reports had Jost pegged as a first-rounder with top-line talent and production.
“Tyson Jost is a crafty goal-scorer who carries out plays as quickly as he envisions them. As someone who thinks and plays at a fast tempo, it comes as no surprise that he creates a lot of energy as an offensive catalyst,” read a 2016 scouting report. “He sees the ice very well and has the willingness and determination to win battles in the tough areas. All-in-all, a dynamic offensive forward with top-6 potential at the next level.”
And then something happened when he was elevated to the NHL. That offensive production didn’t — and still hasn’t — quite translated. Through his first three seasons and some change, Jost has scored just 32 goals in a little over 200 games. Though it’s early in the year, Jost is off to another slower start on the offensive side of the puck.
“I can’t lie, I’m a little frustrated with production and whatnot…I don’t know if frustrated is the right word…I mean I’d love to score, to put things blunt,” Jost admitted with a chuckle. “But I think I’m doing good on the other side of things.
“I’m playing really good hockey now, so I just got to stick with it and keep doing the things I’m doing and I’m gonna keep that up.”
Jost, who recently went down in Covid protocol, is playing very well to start this year. In fact, he’s been the most effective defensive forward in the league so far.
“His defending, especially in the zone coverage, he’s way more effective. He’s quicker in areas and harder on pucks, more competitive as a whole. He’s putting the work before the skill and he’s earning more ice,” head coach Jared Bednar said.
Bednar also said he knows Jost is, and has in his career, struggled on the stat sheet. But that matters very little to the Avs coach.
“I think you look at it, he hasn’t scored easy in his time in the NHL and I’m hoping that he’s able to find it and develop it and he continues to work on his skills and his game,” Bednar added. “I hope that he’s able to continue to grow and develop his offensive touch. It’s not coming easy for him right now, but I love his try and I love the way he works and his attention to detail right now.”
He mentioned Jost watches video, is “really in tune with his game” and “he’s a guy who wants to learn” and is doing everything he can to be better. This is big for Bednar, who has always been a big proponent of attitude and effort in his players, and anything less is unacceptable. Jost, throughout his young career, has embodied Bednar’s mantra — this year probably more than ever.
“What I like about him is that he’s added value in other areas,” Bednar continued. “He hasn’t scored a lot; he wants to stay in the lineup and wants to continue to play more minutes. He’s become a great penalty-killer — he was one of our leading penalty killers at the end of last year and he’s one of our leaders again this year on a great penalty kill.”
“He’s been a great hockey player for us this year,” Bednar added.
Tyson Jost, who signed a one-year deal this past offseason, is doing everything he can to earn another contract on an ever-deepening Avalanche roster. So far, in the early parts of this season, Jost is certainly making his case.
“I just got to keep doing the right things and playing the way I am and stick with it. I love my game but I’m not satisfied. I want to keep striving and getting better each and every game.”