Tyler (left) and Evan Loura are identical twins from Osoyoos who now proudly wear the Coyotes jersey after years of following the team. Evan sees regular ice time with the Coyotes, while Tyler, a goalie, has been practicing with the team as an Alternate Player, but has only played games with the Grand Forks Border Bruins this year. (Keith Lacey photo)
No one knows what the future holds when you’re only 16 years of age, but for the Loura twins from Osoyoos, they are both confident and hope playing hockey at a high level is in their short and long term future.
Evan and Tyler Loura are identical twins who share a passion for the game of hockey.
“I don’t know what the future holds, but as of right now my goal is to be pursuing a scholarship in the NCAA or playing in the WHL … I just want to play hockey at the highest level possible,” said Evan, a rookie defenceman with the Osoyoos Coyotes.
His twin brother Tyler has been practicing with the Coyotes this season as an Alternate Player (AP) card.
Tyler has also been practicing with the Grand Forks Border Bruins and has been called up to play in four games with the Bruins.
Both the Coyotes and Bruins play in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL).
Tyler is also the starting goaltender with the South Okanagan Midget rep team that plays in the South Okanagan Minor Hockey Association.
Being able to put on a Coyotes jersey has been a dream come true for the Loura twins, who have spent their entire lives living and playing minor hockey in Osoyoos.
“We were both helpers picking up the rubber ducks during the Chuck and Puck promotion during the intermission at home games for two years,” said Evan smiling. “We both grew up going to almost every Coyotes game and to be able to make the team as a 16-year-old is probably the biggest thrill of my life so far.”
It was disappointing when his twin brother didn’t make the squad in training camp, but being able to have Tyler practice regularly with the Coyotes and then see game action with the Border Bruins has been exciting, he said.
“He practices with us all season, so it feels like he’s a part of the team,” said Evan. “All of the players on the Coyotes treat him like one of the boys and he’s fit in really nicely, even though he probably isn’t going to play for us this year unless we run into injury problems.”
Tyler said his goal is to make the Coyotes’ roster next year and hopefully play alongside his twin brother as 17 year olds.
“Being able to practice at this level with the Coyotes has really helped me improve,” he said. “I’ve also been able to get in some games with Grand Forks and that has been a lot of fun just to play at a higher level.
“My hope is I can make the step up next year and be able to play with my brother on the Coyotes. That would be amazing.”
During a game against Grand Forks about a month ago, Tyler was brought into the game and got to face his brother on the ice for the first time ever in a competitive game.
“I just didn’t want him to score on me” said Tyler smiling. “The only other time we had ever been on the ice against each other was during a summer camp in Penticton back in peewee hockey, so it was a big thrill to face him in the KIJHL.”
As a raw 16-year-old, Coyotes head coach and general manager Ken Law has eased Evan into the lineup as the youngest player on the team.
It has been a wonderful learning experience playing against players who are older, bigger, faster and stronger than players he’s ever faced before, said Evan.
“It’s definitely a lot faster and more intimidating than midget hockey,” he said. “When you’re out on the ice against guys who are six-foot-four and 220 pounds, it can be a little frightening, but you quickly realize you can play at this level and you just have to use your skills and try hard and everything will take care of itself.”
Evan and Tyler credit their parents John and Laura for much of their success in hockey. Evan said it’s an honour to step onto the ice wearing a Coyotes jersey in front of mom and dad at every home game.
“Our parents have been so supportive of our hockey careers from day one,” he said. “They both love the game and being able to play in front of them is just awesome.”
Stepping onto the ice for the home opener back in late September was one of the most memorable moments of his young life, said Evan.
“I didn’t sleep much at all the night before and I couldn’t stand still for a second in the dressing room before the game because I had so much nerves,” he said. “I don’t think I’ve ever been as nervous in my life as when I first skated onto the ice just before the game.
“It was something I will never forget. It was so cool.”
Evan had a tryout with the Prince George Cougars of the WHL in September and he hopes to either be playing for the Coyotes or a team in the BCHL next season.
“I just want to play at the highest level possible,” he said. “I’m only 16, so I could see myself playing another year with the Coyotes next season, but my long term goal is to try and get a scholarship and play in the NCAA in the States or play major junior.”
Tyler shares the same aspirations.
“I just want to play hockey at the highest level possible,” he said. “We’re only 16 and there’s a lot of opportunities out there as long as we continue to improve and work hard.”
Law believes both twins have a bright future in hockey – and in life.
“They are both well mannered, polite and very nice kids,” he said. “And they love hockey.”
It was tough cutting Tyler, but he’s convinced he will have a very good shot at being the starting or backup goaltender for the Coyotes next season, said Law.
Evan has shown a lot of promise for a 16-year-old defenceman and he has a bright future ahead of him this season and moving forward, said Law.
“It’s my job to make sure he plays in the right situations against the right players,” he said. “It’s hard to play at this level as a 16 year old, but he’s a very smart kid with great hockey sense and he’s played really well for us so far this year.”
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
