Ten pieces. That was Zach Hyman’s account in his first full year in the NHL. He was twenty-four at the time and perhaps had more of a name as a children’s book author than as a professional hockey player. But that is no longer the case, he has developed into a recognized scorer and his tally in the current season can easily be fivefold. Or in other words, it’s almost a tutu.
After a fresh hat-trick, clean by the way, he is at number 46.
Only his former sidekick Auston Matthews boasts a better business card. Yes, Hyman = second best sniper in the NHL! Stunning, isn’t it? In just 63 matches, he surpassed his last year’s record by ten hits.
Many have him pigeonholed as someone who benefits from the fabulous play of superstars. First, he ended Matthews’ actions with Mitch Marner, currently Connor McDavid, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and, according to a survey of NHL players, even the best scorer Leon Draisaitl are sending him pucks.
But have you seen anyone else besides the named fighters excel like this?
No way! Hyman is smart, adaptable, intellectually keeping pace with hockey’s most brilliant minds. “I try to read correctly what my teammates want to do on the ice. And I do it the best I can,” he says.
“I think a lot of people really have him in the box of ‘supplementary players’, but his contribution to our team is huge. He is a leader type, he attacks very well and of course he excels in the biggest game in the NHL – that is, in shooting goals,” he smiles before him Edmonton coach Kris Knoblauch.
Praises are pouring in on Hyman’s address from all sides, and it’s hardly surprising.
Do you know that he has already scored ten times in a row in the home hall of the Oilers? Only one man has accomplished the same feat. A certain Wayne Douglas Gretzky, perhaps the greatest hockey player of all time.
A lot of great shooters played for the Oilers, including Jari Kurri and Petr Klíma, Hyman is now continuing that tradition. As someone you wouldn’t have expected from a few years ago, unlike the pure European bombers. After all, he was only drafted in the fifth round in 2010 and it took him another five years before he even debuted in the NHL.
He gradually made his way to the top. Along with the unique mosses, which he understands exceptionally well.
When he was choosing where to sign in 2021, he wasn’t looking for a vacation destination. He set out to meet the bitter cold. For a simple reason. The idea of playing with McDavid really appealed to him. And since then, he has been regularly rewriting (not only) his records.
He is pleased with his own success, but as a model fighter for the cabin, he is perhaps even more pleased with the cuts of his teammates. Like Connor Brown. He finally got to score a goal after almost two years of waiting. He contributed to the demolition of the Washington Capitals (7:2) and celebrated for the first time since March 24, 2022.
“It was a special moment for him. I’m glad he scored,” said Hyman, to whom McDavid compared Brown some time ago. Maybe even he, on ice rather than on paper, will one day write a fairy tale like number 18.
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