http://massselects.pointstreaksites.com/view/massselects/news-1338/news_464277

Oakie Pair Bolsters Bandits: U18 Oklahoma natives Glass, Boutin share unique situation

By Kevin Conway

Tristan Glass and Hunter Boutin felt an instant connection – albeit somewhat of a stretch – to Scott Drevitch. The Boston Bandits U18 head coach played as an all-star defenseman some 20 years ago for their hometown Oklahoma Coyotes, the major league Roller Hockey International franchise located in Oklahoma City for two seasons during the mid-90s.

Admittedly, the 16-year-old Sooners duo weren’t even born when Drevtich, an 18-year minor league hockey standout, would swap his skates for roller blades during the offseason, playing five seasons in the now-defunct professional dryland league. But when he approached them this summer during a tournament in Denver about moving to Massachusetts and playing for his U18 Bandits, the longtime linemates were easily convinced it was the right choice.

“It’s pretty cool to play for a coach that once played in my home state at a professional level,” says Glass, a 5-10, 165-pound center from Edmond, Okla. “He's a really good coach and he pushes me to the higher level and shows me how to play the game the right way needed to make the D1 or Tier 1 junior level.”  

Boutin, a 5-10, 150-pound left wing, shares the same sentiment about the Bandits headman, but makes no secret that committing to move 1,675 miles from Choctaw, Okla., to Bridgewater, Mass., was made much easier knowing his teammate since their Squirt days would continue to be alongside.

“We weren't really a package deal. It was more like Coach Drevitch convinced both of us to come,” says Boutin, who confesses the toughest adjustment in life as new Bandits has been cooking and cleaning for themselves. “We both went to the CCM Showcase in Denver together and met Coach Drevitch there. We got many offers at the showcase and knew both of us wanted to continue to play together. We talked and decided that the Bandits was the right choice for us.”

Tristan’s father, Allen, was with him in Denver when Drevitch approached the Okies and remembered the former University of Maine and UMass Lowell product from his roller hockey days with the Coyotes. The elder Glass says both players stood out at the CCM Showcase so much so that they were overwhelmed with offers from the next level.

“Oklahoma is a very small hockey market and we compete with a large market in Dallas (for players),” Allen Glass explains. “We knew we had to break free of this and be where people get looks from all the junior programs, all the D1 and D3 college programs, Canadian programs and even the AHL and NHL. We chose Scott and the Bandits program because the area is beautiful, the town is great and the people of Bridgewater are friendly. Quite honestly, they are treated like pros.”

The boys are billeting together with the Wass family of Bridgewater and arranged to continue their education by taking 11th-grade online courses through the Epic Charter School of Oklahoma. They’ll even be celebrating their 17th birthdays together – just 18 days apart – in December.

“With online schooling, a billet family who treats them like one of their own, as much ice time as they can handle and professional training, this transition has been made easy for both families back here in OKC,” Allen Glass says.

Although now taking a major step up competing in the Tier 1 Mass. Midget Select League, Glass and Boutin are already well accustomed to high-profile hockey. The two have been linemates in four USA Hockey Tier II Nationals with the Oklahoma City Oil Kings since their PeeWee days, including capturing one championship and finishing with the U16 silver medal last April during the 2016 Nationals held in Wayne, N.J.

“We found out that the Boston Bandits were accepted to the Mass Selects League, which I understand to be a top league in the region,” the senior Glass says. “This was very exciting since most every game ‘T’ and Hunter play will be scouted by top programs. Looking at top AAA U18 programs on myhockrankings.com shows four of the teams in their Mass. Selects division to be in the top 25 and two are in the top 10. I don't think you can ask to be in a better spot than where they are now.”

As might be expected for two young, first-year U18s who rely on speed and physicality for success, Glass and Boutin are steadily learning how to adjust to the higher tempo and superior strength their opponents possess in the Mass. Select League. Through 12 games, Glass has posted two goals and three points, while Boutin has scored once to go with three assists. The U18 Bandits play in two other leagues in which their point totals are more impressive.

“Being so young doesn't really affect me that much,” Glass insists. “It just pushes me more to play harder and more aggressive against the bigger, older kids. I really like playing in this league because it offers a really high level of play, which is great for developing my game. I feel playing in this league has already brought my game up a lot. The level of play is much higher here than it is in the South.”

Boutin is also up for the challenge, adding, “We both like being on the East Coast and that we play in a really great league. We both knew that we could get much better playing with the Bandits and with Coach Drevitch coaching us.”

Besides the shock of the suddenly chilly New England weather, the Boston Bandits’ Okie tandem agrees they have truly found the hockey home they’ve been searching for.

        “Honestly, I doubt we will ever get them back here to Oklahoma,” says Allen Glass. “They really love it there.”