Special Features - FaceOff October 2012

Abbotsford News Thursday, October 9, 2012

PENALTY KILLING

Talking X’s and O’s with Cail MacLean | P.18

A15

RYAN WALTER

Heat prez excited for new season | P.20

FACEOFF SVENSANITY!

Rookie phenom Baertschi primed for big things PAGE 17 FACEOFF MAGAZINE is the official fan guide for the Abbotsford Heat John Morrow photo

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Abbotsford News Thursday, October 9, 2012

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Abbotsford News Thursday, October 9, 2012

For love of the game

A17

Baertschi has tons of talent, and the joy he plays with sets him apart DanKINVIG ABBOTSFORD NEWS

Pondering what impresses him most about Sven Baertschi, Abbotsford Heat coach Troy Ward waxes eloquent about the rare joy with which the rookie phenom approaches the game.

Then he casually compares Baertschi to an NHL legend.

“It reminds me of a guy I had in Pittsburgh a long time ago,” said Ward, who was an assistant coach with the Penguins from 1997 to 2000. “(Jaromir) Jagr was the same way. He loved to compete, he loved to get out there every day. His personality wasn’t too high and it wasn’t too low. That’s what makes people special – their consistency.

“This kid (Baertschi) smiles, this kid competes, he just enjoys the game a lot. That’s what stands out about Sven, and that’s probably why he plays so well most of the time.”

Baertschi, upon hearing about Ward’s name-drop of Jagr, said it was “special” to be mentioned in the same breath with the future Hall of Famer.

“I’ve always looked up to those type of guys, and he’s so fun to watch,” he said with a grin.

“You should have fun (playing hockey) . . . You just play a sport and make money at that – and a lot more than other people do in their normal work day. You better enjoy it, or if you don’t, I don’t know where the problem is.

“You go out there and play, and you’re on the ice, and not many people can say that.”

That happy-go-lucky mentality has somewhat insulated Baertschi from the disappointment of the NHL lockout, which cost him a chance to crack the Calgary Flames’ roster this fall.

The 19-year-old winger from Langenthal, Switzerland served notice last season he was ready for full-time NHL duty. He lit up the Western Hockey League to the tune of two points per game (33 goals and 61 assists in 47 games) with the Portland Winterhawks, and during an emergency recall to Calgary in March, he scored three goals in five games.

Baertschi will sharpen his skills in Abbotsford for as long as the lockout persists, and while it’s not the NHL, he’s focused on making the most of the opportunity.

“For sure, it was a little disappointing,” he said, reflecting on the lockout. “But there’s not much you can do. After they

Swiss rookie Sven Baertschi is regarded as one of the top offensive prospects in hockey.

John Morrow photo said there’s not a chance there’s going to be an (NHL) training camp, I was really looking forward to coming here to Abbotsford and making sure we get the season started here. I’m happy to have a place to play here, so I can’t complain.

“It’s great to have a job that you love. For me, it’s just a perfect world right now.”

Baertschi put on 10 pounds of muscle in the off-season, which should serve him well as he embarks on his first full year of pro hockey. He said the weight gain wasn’t necessarily due to his weight-room routine, though.

“I had some really good workouts and everything, but this summer was actually the first summer I’ve been able to gain some weight,” he said. “I did the same things the summers

before, but it’s just my body – it’s getting stronger now.

“It was good to get some weight, but you’ve got to do the other stuff too. You’ve got to make sure you’re still quick.”

Part of the adjustment from junior to pro hockey is simply learning to play against bigger players. The rugged play notwithstanding, Baertschi has still found room to display his elite shot and stick-handling during Heat training camp.

“I’ve taken a couple hits during practices, but I’m used to it,” he said. “In the Western Hockey League, it’s still physical there too, but I didn’t have guys 220 pounds out there. I definitely have to get used to the game.

“I’m still trying to improve every single day.”

And he’ll have fun doing it.

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A18

Abbotsford News Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Abbotsford News Tuesday, October 9, 2012

ART

THE

Heat assistant coach Cail MacLean co-ordinates the team's penalty killing unit, and he took some time during training camp to talk X's and O's

KILL of the

+ BALANCING ACT

+ BLOCK PARTY

Penalty kill strategy is a tension between protecting the middle of the ice, while taking smart chances to repossess the puck and clear the zone. The degree of aggression with which teams approach the PK is often the most distinguishing feature.

“We have guidelines to dictate when we’re going to turn that pressure on,” MacLean noted. “Any time you judge that the other team doesn’t have full control of the puck, they’re scrambling. The bottom line for us as a group is to recognize those compromising positions. When we see that, we want to go.”

+ THE BREAK-UP

When hockey people talk about a “good stick,” they’re not touting the merits of Sher-Wood vs.

Easton. It’s about using your twig effectively to shut down passing lanes.

“Players with really good intelligence have their stick not only on the ice, but active,” MacLean said. “You’ll see really elite players bait the opposition into using a passing lane when they know full well it’s there and they’ll move their stick at the last second.”

K ET C I T Y U TO B HT MIDNIG1 OCT. 1

The Heat seek to form regular pairs of forwards and defencemen for the PK. Complimentary skillsets are important.

“Forward-wise, you’re concerned with the forecheck – how we accept the rush against us,” MacLean said. “Our game plan will require maybe one pure skater as a penalty killer, and the other forward might be more defensively responsible and maybe he’s got a different skating style.”

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Shot-blocking is a pivotal penalty-kill skill, and early in MacLean’s pro playing career (1997-2008), the sliding two-shinpad stack was the predominant technique. These days, the Heat coaching staff instruct players to “get big low” – dropping to one knee to block shots – to maintain better mobility.

Beyond technique, shot-blocking also requires a ton of courage.

“In the video room, you have to bring to light that players are willing or not willing to do that,” MacLean said, “and their peers will hold them accountable.”

A

+ THE BACKSTOP

It’s a classic hockey cliché that a team’s goalie needs to be its best penalty killer.

While goalie coach Jordan Sigalet handles most matters pertaining to the position, the netminders attend PK meetings to stay in the loop on what the skaters in front of them are doing.

“We talk about whether we want to take away the short side of the net vs. the far side based on goalies’ preference, and how we’re going to deal with rebounds,” MacLean said. “That gives them a greater chance to do their job.”

T BBO

The Heat have been a solid penalty-killing team over the past two seasons – they were 11th in the AHL in 2010-11 with an 83.2 per cent efficiency, and they were 10th last season at 83.5 per cent.

Current head coach Troy Ward strongly influenced the Heat’s man-disadvantage philosophy as an assistant in 2010-11, before handing the PK reins to MacLean when he moved up to the top job.

“The one thing about the penalty kill is, you need a lot of support,” MacLean said. “It’s a matter of a good plan in place, and then it’s a matter of special efforts from individuals.”

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Pre-scouting each opposing team’s power play is a pivotal part of PK prep.

“We don’t change a whole lot, but we may shift things around based on who’s going to be playing the half-wall for Peoria next Friday,” MacLean noted. “These are always the most skilled players in the league, so you want to make sure you know what you’re doing when they have the puck.”

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Abbotsford News Thursday, October 9, 2012

a few

words

from the

prez Ryan WALTER

It’s hockey season again!

On the day our crazy-warm September weather turned a little colder, windier and brought in some black clouds, our Heat training camp started.

We have enjoyed hosting training camp and are very excited about our home opening weekend on Oct. 12-13. This season will be very different from the previous one, schedule-wise. Last year we played the bulk of our home games during the month of March, but this year we will start the season playing 10 of our first 13 games at home.

We host Peoria, the St. Louis Blues’ AHL affiliate, in our opening series and then Chicago Wolves, the Canucks’ affiliate, the very next weekend (Oct. 19-20). In the month of November we host the Toronto Marlies (Maple Leafs), the Hamilton Bulldogs (Montreal Canadiens), and the Oklahoma City Barons (Edmonton Oilers).

Why am I highlighting these teams that you can watch early in the season? Because each of these teams will have their best young NHL stars playing for them as long as the NHL lockout continues. Oklahoma City now features top Oilers players Jordan Eberle and Burnaby native Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and you will see them right here in Abbotsford Nov. 9-10, with ticket prices starting at just $15.

Our focus around these big games is to add more value to your experience every time that you walk into our building. For example, at the Wolves game on Oct. 19 you will be able to meet Cliff Ronning and Geoff Courtnall, two great Canucks alumni. Bring your photos for them to sign . . . remember how long Lanny McDonald signed auto-

Seasonal flu vaccination clinic.

p Quintin Laing, the Heat’s captain last season, is one of several key veterans returning. graphs last season? We are also continuing to ante up your experience with another post-game concert series. After the game on Saturday, Oct. 20, for example, we will feature “Fighting for Ithaca.”

And most importantly, our Heat team is going to be amazing again this season. Our core group of veteran players is back, and to win in the AHL, this is critical! Our team leader Quintin Laing is back. Last season’s top scorers Krys Kolanos and Ben Walter are back. Two players who played most of last season in the NHL, T.J. Brodie and Lance Bouma, are back playing for our Heat team

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Amy Williams Photography this season.

Sven Baertschi, drafted in the first round in 2011 from the Portland Winterhawks, will play right here for our Heat as long as the NHL issues remain unsettled.

So, Abbotsford and Valley, what an opportunity!

Now is the time to see the best AHL hockey ever, and the only professional hockey west of Ontario . . . all for $15 a ticket. See you at the rink!

Abbotsford Heat president Ryan Walter writes a monthly column for Faceoff magazine

Abbotsford News Thursday, October 9, 2012

A21

Forward Brady Lawlor (middle) is one of several Pilots veterans making a difference this season.

pi ot

p ay John Morrow photo

Pilots already in high gear DanKINVIG ABBOTSFORD NEWS

Over the years, a slow start by the Abbotsford Pilots has almost become a rite of fall.

The local junior B hockey club, under head coach Jim Cowden, has traditionally come moseying out of the gates. The Pilots tend to use the first couple months of the season to round into form and find chemistry, before inevitably rocketing back to their usual place near the top of the Pacific International Junior Hockey League standings during the second half.

A big part of the hot start, Cowden believes, was the decision to schedule just two preseason games, down from eight last year.

“I just thought everybody gets too complacent – the regular season rolls around, and it’s just another game,” he said. “We had two or three extra practices instead.

“After our first game, when we lost to Delta 3-1, I thought maybe I’d made a mistake and should have played a couple more. But as it turned out, it sort

That’s why it’s somewhat surprising, even in light of the Pilots’ status as defending Western Canadian champions, to see them in first place in the Harold Brittain Conference in the early going. After dropping their opening game of the 201213 campaign to the Delta Ice Hawks, Abbotsford has reeled off five straight wins.

“Every year, we seem to start off 2-4 or 1-5,” Cowden noted with a wry chuckle. “But this year, we’ve gotten out of the gate on a little bit of a roll.”

of went according to plan.”

The Pilots have gotten outstanding play from goalie Aaron Oakley, and they boast an experienced forward corps, but it’s the youthful blueline brigade that’s been most pleasing to Cowden. Despite missing key contributors Brett Kolins and Austin Edwards to injury, the callow crew has performed beyond expectation.

“They’re the ones who are really stepping up,” Cowden said. “They’ve been a pleasant surprise.”

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Abbotsford News Thursday, October 9, 2012

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