After winning NCAA title and making NHL debut, Gulls’ Tim Washe settles in

Last spring, San Diego Gulls rookie forward Tim Washe experienced the kind of run most young athletes can only dream of.

On April 12, Washe won an NCAA championship with his Western Michigan teammates.

Three nights later, Washe made his NHL debut against the Minnesota Wild after signing an entry-level contract with the Anaheim Ducks.

Now, several months later, the 24-year-old from Clarkston, Mich., is settling into a pro career with a San Diego Gulls team that is off to a solid 7-6-5 start and hosts Texas on Friday and Sunday nights.

Seemingly every practice and game brings a new set of lessons for a player who incrementally improved during a five-season college career before reaching the sport’s pinnacle.

“It definitely was an amazing stretch,” Washe said. “To win a title with that group, something that had never been done at our school, was a real special experience and then … to jump right into pro hockey – something that has been a goal of mine since I can remember – it was kind of a whirlwind for sure.

“Now, it’s about putting in the daily work and looking to get better each and every day. (I) really like being a part of this group here and in this organization. It’s a great opportunity and I want to take advantage of it.”

Washe has been among the most impressive rookies in the American Hockey League this season. Over 18 games, he has notched eight goals and seven assists while also displaying excellent defensive skills and consistency in winning faceoffs.

Despite going undrafted, Washe appealed to NHL scouts due to his 6-foot-3, 216-pound frame, defensive instincts, and a set of offensive skills that steadily improved at Western Michigan. He posted career highs of 16 goals, 22 assists and eight game-winning goals last season.

He finished the Broncos’ Frozen Four run with a goal and three assists and was named to the All-Tournament team.

“Some rookies come in and they are 19 years old and some come in at 22 or 23, and he’s a guy who has a lot of experience on his back,” Gulls coach Jim McIIvane said. “To go that deep and win a (national championship) and be a captain of that team, he’s carrying all of that experience to the pro level. Also, he’s a big, mature body that came ready to step in and make an impact right away. He’s been a very reliable player at both ends of the ice and in the face-off circle. He has a bright future, for sure.”

In some ways, Washe sees life with the Gulls as an extension of his college experience. San Diego’s AHL roster is made up primarily of prospects who are around his age. They share similar interests and are pursuing the same NHL dream.

In other ways, things are very different. The game schedule is more intense, as is the on-ice competition.

And without a college course load to worry about, Washe has more free time for life in Pacific Beach, where he enjoys cooking for himself and teammates and taking trips to the water.

Good times for someone who visited just California once prior to signing with the Ducks and was far more familiar with snow drifts than palm trees most of his life.

“Big difference, for sure,” Washe said. “It’s a lot colder back home right now, for one thing. Can’t beat the weather. San Diego is a fantastic place. Leaving college, obviously, you have no idea where you may end up, but I’m very happy to be with this group here.”

San Diego Gulls (7-6-5-0) vs. Texas Stars (7-10-2-1)

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Where: Pechanga Arena