Tyler Wong's story will inspire young hockey players everywhere

If you're looking for an inspiring hockey hockey story, look no further than Tyler Wong.

The undersized forward, who is just 5'9" and 176 pounds, went undrafted and is coming off a WHL season in which he led the league with 51 goals and was third with 109 points. 

Wong is now the player who scored Vegas' first-ever goal and recorded its first hat trick and four-point game in the team's opening exhibition game. The 21-year-old is actually in training camp on an AHL contract with the Chicago Wolves -- the American Hockey League affiliate of the Golden Knights and St. Louis Blues. He isn’t property of Vegas until he signs an entry level contract with the team, with the preseason acting as a way for him to earn an NHL contract. 

He spoke to NHL.com about the opportunity.

"To be able to put on an NHL uniform is an amazing opportunity," Wong said. "This year, I'm coming into it a little bit more mature, trying to not get too nervous or stressed out, taking that experience and putting it into this camp where I can be confident and make more plays."

It's great to see a player like Wong get recognition at the national level considering his efforts off the ice.

Wong won a WHL humanitarian award three straight seasons in Lethbridge. His primary focus was the KidSport initiative, raising about $13,000. Wong and his two brothers were home-schooled in Cochrane, Alberta, and they were involved in Calgary with the Mustard Seed, an organization helping the homeless.He's been giving back since he was a third-grader.

"It was a big part of the way I was raised," Wong said. "My mom is amazing. When we were younger, we would go volunteer and make sandwiches for the local homeless shelter.She was always volunteering her time. To be able to follow in her footsteps a little and be able to do that was something I always thought about. She always made sure me and my brothers knew that playing hockey is not a right, it's a blessing."

Wong is out to prove he belongs in the NHL and spoke to the Las Vegas Review-Journal about his ambitions.

“My whole life I’ve been told, ‘You’re not big enough, you’re not fast enough, you’re not going to make it,’ ” Wong said. “These guys took a chance on me, and I’m looking to prove them right. I’ll do whatever it takes to do that and continue to produce.” 

Whether Wong makes the Golden Knights this year or not, the young forward is certainly one to keep an eye on.