SouthernHockeyChick
03-27-2003, 03:49 PM
Nothing really new here but it's nice to see us get some attention
'Canes rookies well-schooled
Heerema and Bayda know importance of defensive play
By BOB SUTTON
Faceoff.com correspondent
Carolina Hurricanes rookies have been well-schooled in the history of the team. Now, time for an update on the current events.
When wingers Jeff Heerema and Ryan Bayda joined the Hurricanes, their immediate reactions were to give the company line about the importance of providing a defensive effort as a priority.
While that sounds good on the surface, what the Hurricanes have needed most for weeks is more offense.
Heerema, in particular, arrived at a time when the team needed a major jolt of offense. He managed three goals in 10 games before a season-ending broken wrist.
Bayda arrived because of an onslaught of injuries. But Carolina's scoring drought hadn't been solved.
"You always have to play defensive hockey first," Bayda said.
Bayda said some of the nervousness of playing in the NHL has waned. He was put at ease right away by joining the line of Ron Francis and Jeff O'Neill.
With that assignment, offensive production is expected.
"A couple of months ago, I didn't think I'd be in that position and playing with those guys," Bayda said of O'Neill and Francis. "Anytime you get put out with those two guys, it's awesome."
Coach Paul Maurice said it's important that young players are given a chance to be successful.
"When you put a young guy in, you want to play him where he might be most comfortable," Maurice said. "Ryan has been out there with O'Neill and Francis enough that we're looking at that."
Winger Tomas Kurka has shuttled between Lowell of the American Hockey League and Carolina. Other rookies such as defensemen Tomas Malec and Bruno St. Jacques, left wing Brad DeFauw and center Mike Zigomanis have joined the lineup.
The final weeks are also about forming impressions for next season.
"I'm enjoying myself," Zigomanis said. "It's getting over that hump of nervousness."
St. Jacques said he tries to block out any jitters. He has been paired with David Tanabe and Aaron Ward with the Hurricanes.
"You know you're going to make some good plays and some bad ones," St. Jacques said.
While many of the young players are gaining valuable experience, the losing isn't any easier on other players. Goalie Kevin Weekes said the team must hold a positive mindset during the final weeks of the season.
Weekes has never had a winning season in the NHL. With a 14-22-9 record, he won't end up with one this season either.
"Winning is what we play for," Weekes said. "We owe it to ourselves. We owe it to our employers. That doesn't always equate to victories. When we give (the fans) a reason to be enthused, they provide that type of energy for us."
INJURY REPORT: Center Kevyn Adams played in the team's first 75 games, but has missed the last two games with an abdominal injury. That leaves only Francis, O'Neill and defenseman Sean Hill to have played in all 77 games.
Defenseman Aaron Ward returned from a hip injury and scored his third goal of the season in his first game back.
Radim Vrbata, who had been hot since arriving in a trade from Colorado earlier in the month, sat out this week because of illness.
DeFauw is back ready to play after suffering a lacerated elbow.
Despite concerns about Weekes' injured hand, he played on back-to-back nights when he faced Toronto (tie) and Atlanta (loss).
NOTES: With five games remaining, the Carolina franchise is guaranteed to have its worst record (during a full season) since it produced 27 victories as the Hartford Whalers in 1993-94. ... Unless Carolina wins its final three home games (against Buffalo, Montreal and New York Islanders), the team will fail to post an above-.500 mark at home for the first time since its 16-18-7 record in 1997-98 when it played its first season at the Greensboro Coliseum. The Hurricanes are 12-14-8-3 at home so far this season. ... Saturday night's game against Buffalo could factor heavily into what team holds the NHL's worst record by season's end. ... With two games remaining in March, the team doesn't have to worry about it being the worst March in team history. Regardless of the results to be added to this month's 4-7-2 record, it will be better than at least three other marks in March. ... Carolina never lost in its first 17 games all-time against the Atlanta Thrashers, going 14-0-3. Since then, the Hurricanes are 0-2-1 against Atlanta after the loss Wednesday night. Weekes allowed five goals in 18 shots Wednesday night at Atlanta. ... Kurka scored three goals in his first 10 games with the Hurricanes. ... Toronto defenseman Glen Wesley's return to Carolina didn't pan out as he suffered a season-ending broken ankle the night prior to the Maple Leafs' game in Raleigh. Wesley was a veteran Carolina player until a trade this month. ... The Hurricanes signed defenseman Brad Fast to a two-year contract and assigned him to Lowell of the American Hockey League for the rest of the season. Fast recently completed his senior season at Michigan State. His two-year contract with the Hurricanes will begin in the 2003-04 season. Carolina assistant general manager Jason Karmanos said that because of Fast's offensive abilities, he could be converted to a forward if that's deemed most appropriate. Fast posted 11 goals and 35 assists in 39 college games as a senior. ... Emily Cole, wife of injured winger Eric Cole, was one of the standouts in a recent charity game. The Hurricanes, along with the Raleigh Police Department, the Hurricanes Booster Club and members of the local media raised $12,000 for the Tom Stetson Fund during a charity hockey game. The event benefited the family of Tom Stetson, a Wake County Emergency Medical Services paramedic who recently died from brain cancer.
'Canes rookies well-schooled
Heerema and Bayda know importance of defensive play
By BOB SUTTON
Faceoff.com correspondent
Carolina Hurricanes rookies have been well-schooled in the history of the team. Now, time for an update on the current events.
When wingers Jeff Heerema and Ryan Bayda joined the Hurricanes, their immediate reactions were to give the company line about the importance of providing a defensive effort as a priority.
While that sounds good on the surface, what the Hurricanes have needed most for weeks is more offense.
Heerema, in particular, arrived at a time when the team needed a major jolt of offense. He managed three goals in 10 games before a season-ending broken wrist.
Bayda arrived because of an onslaught of injuries. But Carolina's scoring drought hadn't been solved.
"You always have to play defensive hockey first," Bayda said.
Bayda said some of the nervousness of playing in the NHL has waned. He was put at ease right away by joining the line of Ron Francis and Jeff O'Neill.
With that assignment, offensive production is expected.
"A couple of months ago, I didn't think I'd be in that position and playing with those guys," Bayda said of O'Neill and Francis. "Anytime you get put out with those two guys, it's awesome."
Coach Paul Maurice said it's important that young players are given a chance to be successful.
"When you put a young guy in, you want to play him where he might be most comfortable," Maurice said. "Ryan has been out there with O'Neill and Francis enough that we're looking at that."
Winger Tomas Kurka has shuttled between Lowell of the American Hockey League and Carolina. Other rookies such as defensemen Tomas Malec and Bruno St. Jacques, left wing Brad DeFauw and center Mike Zigomanis have joined the lineup.
The final weeks are also about forming impressions for next season.
"I'm enjoying myself," Zigomanis said. "It's getting over that hump of nervousness."
St. Jacques said he tries to block out any jitters. He has been paired with David Tanabe and Aaron Ward with the Hurricanes.
"You know you're going to make some good plays and some bad ones," St. Jacques said.
While many of the young players are gaining valuable experience, the losing isn't any easier on other players. Goalie Kevin Weekes said the team must hold a positive mindset during the final weeks of the season.
Weekes has never had a winning season in the NHL. With a 14-22-9 record, he won't end up with one this season either.
"Winning is what we play for," Weekes said. "We owe it to ourselves. We owe it to our employers. That doesn't always equate to victories. When we give (the fans) a reason to be enthused, they provide that type of energy for us."
INJURY REPORT: Center Kevyn Adams played in the team's first 75 games, but has missed the last two games with an abdominal injury. That leaves only Francis, O'Neill and defenseman Sean Hill to have played in all 77 games.
Defenseman Aaron Ward returned from a hip injury and scored his third goal of the season in his first game back.
Radim Vrbata, who had been hot since arriving in a trade from Colorado earlier in the month, sat out this week because of illness.
DeFauw is back ready to play after suffering a lacerated elbow.
Despite concerns about Weekes' injured hand, he played on back-to-back nights when he faced Toronto (tie) and Atlanta (loss).
NOTES: With five games remaining, the Carolina franchise is guaranteed to have its worst record (during a full season) since it produced 27 victories as the Hartford Whalers in 1993-94. ... Unless Carolina wins its final three home games (against Buffalo, Montreal and New York Islanders), the team will fail to post an above-.500 mark at home for the first time since its 16-18-7 record in 1997-98 when it played its first season at the Greensboro Coliseum. The Hurricanes are 12-14-8-3 at home so far this season. ... Saturday night's game against Buffalo could factor heavily into what team holds the NHL's worst record by season's end. ... With two games remaining in March, the team doesn't have to worry about it being the worst March in team history. Regardless of the results to be added to this month's 4-7-2 record, it will be better than at least three other marks in March. ... Carolina never lost in its first 17 games all-time against the Atlanta Thrashers, going 14-0-3. Since then, the Hurricanes are 0-2-1 against Atlanta after the loss Wednesday night. Weekes allowed five goals in 18 shots Wednesday night at Atlanta. ... Kurka scored three goals in his first 10 games with the Hurricanes. ... Toronto defenseman Glen Wesley's return to Carolina didn't pan out as he suffered a season-ending broken ankle the night prior to the Maple Leafs' game in Raleigh. Wesley was a veteran Carolina player until a trade this month. ... The Hurricanes signed defenseman Brad Fast to a two-year contract and assigned him to Lowell of the American Hockey League for the rest of the season. Fast recently completed his senior season at Michigan State. His two-year contract with the Hurricanes will begin in the 2003-04 season. Carolina assistant general manager Jason Karmanos said that because of Fast's offensive abilities, he could be converted to a forward if that's deemed most appropriate. Fast posted 11 goals and 35 assists in 39 college games as a senior. ... Emily Cole, wife of injured winger Eric Cole, was one of the standouts in a recent charity game. The Hurricanes, along with the Raleigh Police Department, the Hurricanes Booster Club and members of the local media raised $12,000 for the Tom Stetson Fund during a charity hockey game. The event benefited the family of Tom Stetson, a Wake County Emergency Medical Services paramedic who recently died from brain cancer.