By Alex Gallacher

Since being added to the Huskies roster following a trade with Wellington, Peyton Schaly has been a force on the Huskies offensive line. With nine goals and 16 points in 22 games, the player from Barrie, has loved his time in Haliburton County, but said playing hockey is about a love for the sport. 

Coming from a hockey family, Schaly found his love of the game from his dad and uncle, who were both players at the time. Schaly started to play hockey at a very young age, growing up with a backyard rink. Finding his footing in the OJHL (Ontario Junior Hockey League) shortly after, big things were on the horizon.

“When I was little my dad and my uncle both played hockey,” Schaly said. “We lived right beside each other so we always had a backyard rink growing up.”

Starting out his career with the Brockville Braves of the CCHL (Central Canada Hockey League), Schaly played in the OJHL starting in 2018. First with the Aurora Tigers, then joining the Collingwood Blues/ Colts, Schaly moved over to the Wellington Dukes before being traded to the Huskies alongside Cameron Kosurko and Jonah Cochrane. 

“I started when I was 17, “ Schaly added. “I was in the CCHL before being traded to Aurora. I’ve been on a couple of teams since, and it’s a great league and I’ve enjoyed playing in it.”

Last year, on Nov. 4, Schaly was added in the aforementioned trade from Wellington. Having played the Huskies as a member of the Dukes, moving to a new team within the division was daunting, but overall very exciting. 

Coming over with two of his teammates, the change in both fan capacity and teammates as a whole was a very exciting experience for Schaly. 

“I was very excited to find out I was traded here,” Schaly said. “It’s a great group of guys and great fans. It’s a great atmosphere with great coaching, the energy on the ice and in the room makes it an amazing place to play.” 

Following his hockey career with the Huskies, Schaly plans to continue playing. As of 2022-23, he will be heading to the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) D3 to play with the Plymouth State Panthers in New Hampshire. Assuming that goes well, Schaly wants to go pro after graduation. Looking at a career in Europe or a possible career in the ECHL (East Coast Hockey League) or AHL (American Hockey League), it doesn’t appear he will be putting down a hockey stick anytime soon. 

It looks like he does have a preferred country, one famous for automotive manufacturer Mercedes-Benz and Oktoberfest. 

“My uncle played in Germany,” Schaly said. “So my goal is to follow him over there, he also played D3 as well. So I really do hope to follow the path he kinda laid out.” 

During a season of highs, Schaly’s favourite moment of the season so far was his first home goal as a member of the Huskies. Coming on Dec. 17 against the Toronto Jr.  Canadiens, Schaly was blown away by the atmosphere. The S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena is usually packed to the brim with fans, eager to watch the Huskies play. 

Schaly’s goal ended up being the one goal the Huskies needed to pull out the win that night, and he never did forget that moment. 

“The energy here is insane,” Schaly added. “When you score a goal here the bench gets fired up. The crowd’s energy is unreal, and to be honest it’s one of the best feelings ever. I love the rink, it always looks packed every night. You feel like the fans are on top of you and it’s amazing.”

Playing with the Huskies is an honour unlike no other. Wearing the Huskies’ crest on his chest is something that only a handful of guys get to do on a daily basis. For Schaly, being a Huskies’ player is more than just hockey. It’s family. 

“It’s an honour,” Schaly said. “The town loves you, you gotta represent the team very well. I think that’s one of the best things about playing here.” 

Like a few members of the Huskies, Schaly does have a special talent. If his hockey career doesn’t work out, a career as a carnival entertainer might be on the horizon.

“I’m a pretty good juggler.” Schaly said with a laugh.