Chestermere athlete, Tarun Fizer was named the Victoria Royals team captain for the 2020-21 WHL Regular Season.
“Being captain means a lot to me, I have had three different captains since I started with the Royals and each of them were a perfect representation of what being a captain in Victoria means. To have the chance to have the captaincy comes with a lot of responsibility but also with a lot of pride,” Fizer said.
Fizer’s responsibilities as team captain include motivating his teammates, leading by example, and helping the younger players learn and grow.
Fizer first started playing hockey when he was four years old, as his father played.
Fizer has played 170 career regular-season games with the Victoria Royals and has recorded 94 points, along with 34 penalty minutes.
“Tarun is a driven competitor who sets the standard for dedication, leadership, and behaviour for our organization,” the Royals’ General Manager and Head Coach Dan Price said.
Adding, “He has earned this opportunity and we know that he is ready to take on this added responsibility. Tarun is, and will continue to be, an outstanding leader for us both on-and-off of the ice.”
A typical day for Fizer playing with the Victoria Royals includes a morning team meeting, a pregame skate, and downtime before games.
Throughout Fizer’s hockey career he has had to overcome many challenges, including injuries.
“I’ve had to overcome some bigger than others such as a broken ankle right before playoffs, and not being able to play again that season,” Fizer said.
Another challenge Fizer had to overcome was collar bone surgery less than two months before playoffs.
“I had to battle back and work hard just to be able to help my teammates in the second and third rounds of playoffs,” Fizer said.
Despite the challenges Fizer has had to overcome, he has many highlights from his hockey career such as westerns in Bantam AAA, when they were counted out at the tournament for being the host team.
“We battled hard, and, in the end, we came out with a silver medal losing to the top team in Western Canada in the final game three to two,” Fizer said.
Through the difficult times, and the celebrations, Fizer has made lifelong friendships with his teammates.
“Hockey is important to me because through hockey I have gained some of my strongest friendships that will last forever. Without hockey I don’t know what I would be doing right now,” Fizer said.
