Vancouver Giants captain Ty Halaburda has etched his name alongside franchise legends, achieving a significant milestone in the team's 25-season history.
A Historic Tie on the Scoresheet
With a three-assist performance in a decisive 7-3 victory over the Kamloops Blazers on Sunday at the Langley Events Centre, Halaburda propelled himself into a tie for fourth place on the Vancouver Giants' all-time scoring list. His 218 career points now match the total of Ty Ronning, who starred for the Giants from 2013 to 2018.
The 20-year-old centre from Victoria, a second-round pick in the 2020 WHL Draft, now sets his sights on the next rung of the ladder. Craig Cunningham sits in third place with 222 points, a mark well within Halaburda's reach this season. The top two spots are held by Adam Courchaine (273 points) and current NHL star Brendan Gallagher (280 points).
Captain's Climb and Team Context
Halaburda's ascent is a testament to his evolution as a player. Known initially for his relentless work ethic, he has developed into a consistent offensive threat. After scoring a career-high 29 goals last season, he is on pace for 35 goals and 68 points this year. His leadership was formally recognized earlier this year when he was named team captain after two seasons as an alternate.
His versatility has also been key. A natural centre who played mostly wing for three seasons, Halaburda has moved back to the middle this year out of necessity. The shift has been remarkably successful; entering Monday, he led the entire WHL in faceoffs taken (792) and was tied for 10th in winning percentage (53.2%) among players with at least 500 draws.
The Giants (16-19-1-1) have 31 regular-season games remaining. Their next contest is Tuesday at home against the Calgary Hitmen, offering Halaburda an immediate chance to surpass Ronning and close in on Cunningham.
Future Prospects and Franchise Legacy
Halaburda's outstanding season comes at a crossroads. He is slated to join the NCAA's Colorado College Tigers next season and has already attracted NHL interest, including an invitation to the Vancouver Canucks' Young Stars tournament in 2024. With the WHL trade deadline set for January 8, his status as a top-tier over-age player makes him a valuable asset if the Giants, currently 10th in the Western Conference, decide to become sellers.
If he remains in Langley, another franchise record is within reach. Halaburda has played 280 regular-season games for Vancouver. Participating in the team's final 31 contests would push him past Neil Manning's franchise record of 310 games played.
In Sunday's game, teammate Cameron Schmidt recorded a hat trick, giving him 25 goals this season and 97 for his Giants career. That moves him past Halaburda (95 goals) into fifth on the team's all-time goals list.
As the Giants navigate the second half of their season, Ty Halaburda's pursuit of history provides a compelling storyline, highlighting the dedication and skill of a homegrown player becoming a franchise icon.
