Tristan Trudel now may be the face of Peoria youth hockey

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — Tristan Trudel’s summer job is helping the next generation of youth hockey players in Peoria get better.

“It’s always great coming out here and watching my dad do his thing, following in his footsteps,” said Trudel as he stepped on to the ice for summer hockey camp led by his father. “And fun to see these kids develop over the years. I’ve known them since they were little kids.”

Trudel is still a kid. The 21-year-old son of Rivermen head coach Jean-Guy Trudel is coming off his rookie season in pro hockey, helping the Rivermen win a championship. Years ago, he was among the young boys at hockey camps at Owens Center learning from players like Peoria-born Rivermen players like Alec Hagaman and Mitch McPherson.

It was his dream to graduate from youth hockey camp to a pro career.

“Seeing Hags, Mitch, all those guys. They are great role models. I couldn’t have asked for more,” Trudel said.

He made the Rivermen out of training camp last fall and scored 13 goals in 36 regular season games in the SPHL. Then he added three more goals in the postseason as the Rivermen won their second President’s Cup title in three seasons.

“I didn’t expect to make (the team). Playing here and there. Then being part of a playoff roster,” said Trudel. “It’s not something you get to experience coming out of Junior B hockey. Now I want to keep playing and see where it goes.”

With Hagaman and McPherson retired from hockey, Trudel is now he’s the Peoria-born player that all the young kids are looking up to.

“He’s a great role model because he grew up playing Peoria hockey,” said 12-year-old hockey player Blake Crebl at camp.

He’s not alone in that thought.

“He’s a great role model and on the ice, he’s a great leader,” said 13-year-old Trevor Vicary . “It’s fun to see a pro hockey player like him come out here and help us.”

Trudel says he can’t wait for next season to start. In the meantime, he appears to be the most popular player among the summer hockey campers.

“He’s a pretty good role model,” said 10-year-old player Bentley Walley. “He likes to fight a lot. He makes everyone smile.”

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