Prospect shaking off the rust
Apr 10, 2005 19:01:08 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2005 19:01:08 GMT -5
www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/WinnipegSun/Sports/2005/04/10/990222-sun.html
There is no easing your way back into things at this stage of the season, especially not when your team is fighting for a playoff spot. Welcome to the world of top-end defenceman Mike Komisarek, the Montreal Canadiens prospect who returned to the Hamilton Bulldogs lineup on March 4.
"I sort of got thrown to the wolves, but it's been fine. Things have gone better than expected," said Komisarek, who spent the majority of last season with the Habs and had been rehabilitating a hip injury he sustained while with the parent club. "After not playing for a year, it takes quite a few games to get off the rust and into the swing of things. This is the best time of the year for us, as players and it's a chance to come back right in the middle of a playoff race. We were 14 points back and now we're right in the middle of the hunt."
BEEN A FORCE
Komisarek has been a force since returning to the Bulldogs, who have also reaped the rewards of adding forwards Steve Begin and Antti Miettinen for the stretch drive.
The Bulldogs, who are the primary affiliate of the Canadiens and have a secondary agreement with the Dallas Stars, turned things around at the right time and are the leading candidates to nail down the fourth spot in the North Division.
Komisarek had three assists in 17 games following last night's 4-1 win over the Manitoba Moose, but his presence is far greater than a quick glance at the stats sheet. Throwing the body around is near the top of his list of priorities.
"That's my game," said Komisarek, the seventh overall pick in the 2001 NHL entry draft who spent two seasons at the University of Michigan before turning pro. "I'm having fun out there. I'm not really looking at stats or anything like that, I've got to go out there and be a physical presence, move the puck and keep it simple out there. When I'm doing that, that's when I'm most effective."
Along with having to shake off the rust of not playing for an entire year, Komisarek had to get used to the AHL rule changes, which include wider blue and red lines, no-touch icing, tag-up offsides and limiting where goaltenders can play the puck.
Komisarek feels he's adjusted well, but admits the rule limiting where goalies are allowed to play the puck has made it tougher on defencemen, especially when you face teams that utilize a smart dump-in as part of the fore-check.
Opposition players and coaches certainly take note of Komisarek and his 6-foot-4, 237-pound frame.
"He's a young guy, but he proved himself (in the NHL) last year and he's awfully tough to beat 1-on-1," said Moose centre Peter Sarno.
There is no easing your way back into things at this stage of the season, especially not when your team is fighting for a playoff spot. Welcome to the world of top-end defenceman Mike Komisarek, the Montreal Canadiens prospect who returned to the Hamilton Bulldogs lineup on March 4.
"I sort of got thrown to the wolves, but it's been fine. Things have gone better than expected," said Komisarek, who spent the majority of last season with the Habs and had been rehabilitating a hip injury he sustained while with the parent club. "After not playing for a year, it takes quite a few games to get off the rust and into the swing of things. This is the best time of the year for us, as players and it's a chance to come back right in the middle of a playoff race. We were 14 points back and now we're right in the middle of the hunt."
BEEN A FORCE
Komisarek has been a force since returning to the Bulldogs, who have also reaped the rewards of adding forwards Steve Begin and Antti Miettinen for the stretch drive.
The Bulldogs, who are the primary affiliate of the Canadiens and have a secondary agreement with the Dallas Stars, turned things around at the right time and are the leading candidates to nail down the fourth spot in the North Division.
Komisarek had three assists in 17 games following last night's 4-1 win over the Manitoba Moose, but his presence is far greater than a quick glance at the stats sheet. Throwing the body around is near the top of his list of priorities.
"That's my game," said Komisarek, the seventh overall pick in the 2001 NHL entry draft who spent two seasons at the University of Michigan before turning pro. "I'm having fun out there. I'm not really looking at stats or anything like that, I've got to go out there and be a physical presence, move the puck and keep it simple out there. When I'm doing that, that's when I'm most effective."
Along with having to shake off the rust of not playing for an entire year, Komisarek had to get used to the AHL rule changes, which include wider blue and red lines, no-touch icing, tag-up offsides and limiting where goaltenders can play the puck.
Komisarek feels he's adjusted well, but admits the rule limiting where goalies are allowed to play the puck has made it tougher on defencemen, especially when you face teams that utilize a smart dump-in as part of the fore-check.
Opposition players and coaches certainly take note of Komisarek and his 6-foot-4, 237-pound frame.
"He's a young guy, but he proved himself (in the NHL) last year and he's awfully tough to beat 1-on-1," said Moose centre Peter Sarno.