Fischer adjusting to college game
Nov 10, 2006 15:44:38 GMT -5
Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Nov 10, 2006 15:44:38 GMT -5
Fischer adjusting to college game
The Gophers freshman might have NHL aspirations as a first-round draft pick, but he still has plenty to learn.
Dean Spiros, Star Tribune
Gophers freshman defense-man David Fischer should be excused during pregame warmups tonight at Mariucci Arena if his mind drifts back to a special day in June. The red "C" of the St. Cloud State uniforms is in the style of the "C" on the famed sweater of the Montreal Canadiens, the team that selected Fischer in the first round of the 2006 NHL draft.
But while one day wearing the red, blue and white of the Canadiens would be a dream come true for the Apple Valley native, know, too, that the Huskies are all the reality Fischer can handle right now.
Even first-round picks experience the freshman blues, with those like Fischer who come to the college game straight out of high school often the most susceptible. So while Fischer (6-3, 188 pounds) has played regularly and played well, there are times when he does things that leave him shaking his head.
"Too much fumbling," Fischer said.
The Gophers' coaches have seen it so many times before. As assistant coach Mike Guentzel, who coaches the defensemen, points out, first-year players typically battle with their self-confidence.
"They over-respect the level of play," Guentzel said. "They play not to make a mistake instead of taking the puck and going. You're not going to get away with all the things you did in high school, but don't go the other way and restrict yourself and become passive.
"You still have to have that aggression. Yeah, the game moves faster, but if you're an elite player, a first-rounder like Fischer, you have to make that transition."
Gophers coach Don Lucia, pleased with Fischer's progress and the way he reacts to coaching, sees a young player with typical deficiencies.
"He has to learn to move the puck a second quicker," Lucia said. "He played so many minutes in high school he had to pace himself. We need to get him to where he's going hard at all times."
Guentzel provides the added attention on and off the ice that Fischer needs. Talking, teaching and encouraging whenever he can.
"A lot of it is mental," Fischer said. "Back in high school if you were sick or a little banged up, you could not be totally into it and still play well. Here, if you're not physically and mentally into it every shift, there's a chance you can be scored on."
Fischer began fall practice knowing he needed to add some size and strength to his lanky frame. He was up to 195 pounds at the start of the season and was pleased because the added weight didn't affect his quickness. But he came down with strep throat the first week of October and was forced sit out the series against Wayne State.
He returned for the Ohio State series, but after finishing his antibiotics the strep returned. Fischer lost 10 pounds during the ordeal and has gained only 3 of them back.
So while it would be unfair to say Fischer is struggling, he does look forward to the day when he can again be himself.
"You can't really put a time line on it," Fischer said. "Gradually I'm gaining feeling a little better, calming down out there. I'm looking forward to seeing myself getting involved, making things happen, getting the crowd going."
Etc.
Six Gophers recruits signed letters of intent on Thursday: defenseman Cade Fairchild (Duluth), goaltender Alex Kangas (Rochester) and forwards Mike Hoeffel (North Oaks), Kevin White (Grand Rapids), Taylor Matson (Mound) and Nick Larson (Stillwater).
- www.startribune.com/512/story/800930.html
The Gophers freshman might have NHL aspirations as a first-round draft pick, but he still has plenty to learn.
Dean Spiros, Star Tribune
Gophers freshman defense-man David Fischer should be excused during pregame warmups tonight at Mariucci Arena if his mind drifts back to a special day in June. The red "C" of the St. Cloud State uniforms is in the style of the "C" on the famed sweater of the Montreal Canadiens, the team that selected Fischer in the first round of the 2006 NHL draft.
But while one day wearing the red, blue and white of the Canadiens would be a dream come true for the Apple Valley native, know, too, that the Huskies are all the reality Fischer can handle right now.
Even first-round picks experience the freshman blues, with those like Fischer who come to the college game straight out of high school often the most susceptible. So while Fischer (6-3, 188 pounds) has played regularly and played well, there are times when he does things that leave him shaking his head.
"Too much fumbling," Fischer said.
The Gophers' coaches have seen it so many times before. As assistant coach Mike Guentzel, who coaches the defensemen, points out, first-year players typically battle with their self-confidence.
"They over-respect the level of play," Guentzel said. "They play not to make a mistake instead of taking the puck and going. You're not going to get away with all the things you did in high school, but don't go the other way and restrict yourself and become passive.
"You still have to have that aggression. Yeah, the game moves faster, but if you're an elite player, a first-rounder like Fischer, you have to make that transition."
Gophers coach Don Lucia, pleased with Fischer's progress and the way he reacts to coaching, sees a young player with typical deficiencies.
"He has to learn to move the puck a second quicker," Lucia said. "He played so many minutes in high school he had to pace himself. We need to get him to where he's going hard at all times."
Guentzel provides the added attention on and off the ice that Fischer needs. Talking, teaching and encouraging whenever he can.
"A lot of it is mental," Fischer said. "Back in high school if you were sick or a little banged up, you could not be totally into it and still play well. Here, if you're not physically and mentally into it every shift, there's a chance you can be scored on."
Fischer began fall practice knowing he needed to add some size and strength to his lanky frame. He was up to 195 pounds at the start of the season and was pleased because the added weight didn't affect his quickness. But he came down with strep throat the first week of October and was forced sit out the series against Wayne State.
He returned for the Ohio State series, but after finishing his antibiotics the strep returned. Fischer lost 10 pounds during the ordeal and has gained only 3 of them back.
So while it would be unfair to say Fischer is struggling, he does look forward to the day when he can again be himself.
"You can't really put a time line on it," Fischer said. "Gradually I'm gaining feeling a little better, calming down out there. I'm looking forward to seeing myself getting involved, making things happen, getting the crowd going."
Etc.
Six Gophers recruits signed letters of intent on Thursday: defenseman Cade Fairchild (Duluth), goaltender Alex Kangas (Rochester) and forwards Mike Hoeffel (North Oaks), Kevin White (Grand Rapids), Taylor Matson (Mound) and Nick Larson (Stillwater).
- www.startribune.com/512/story/800930.html
