Post by dogcatcher on Feb 12, 2008 6:36:45 GMT -4
Forward a plus minus bad habit
PETER MCGUIRE
GAME ON
Published Tuesday February 12th, 2008
Appeared on page B10
Imagine if the Saint John Sea Dogs decided to dump Ryan Sparling"‰"¦"‰drop him like a hot potato"‰"¦"‰see ya.
Seems ridiculous, right? This is a guy with 23 goals, 36 assists in just 42 games. That's 1.4 points per game.
The thought of Sparling not being part of the Sea Dogs' plans wasn't always so far-fetched. In fact, at the end of last season, the last-place Sea Dogs limped into their second straight off-season with their tails between their legs and it was a very real possibility.
Despite the team not doing so well in its first two seasons, Sparling appeared to have everything going for him.
On the surface he's blessed with plenty of playmaking ability, a big-league stride, and surprising toughness.
When you scratch beneath the surface in hockey, however, the first thing you notice is a player's commitment to defence and the best measuring tool is the plus-minus column (If you're on the ice for two more goals for than against while playing at even strength, you're a plus-2).
To put it mildly, Sparling wasn't measuring up.
"Either he figured it out or he wasn't going to be here," said Sea Dogs head coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu in his typical straight-forward manner. "He was minus-75 during his first two years. Basically when Ryan came here, he was playing pond hockey. He's like a lot of young guys when they come here. They don't have any structure."
Sparling has done an about face this season and is among the league-leaders in plus-minus with a plus-24 rating.
"In midget I was never too focused but when I came to the Q, I learned that it's a lot different and you have to begin preparing almost a day before the game," said Sparling. "That's what I do now. I think I've changed quite a bit. I think I've matured a lot as a player and a person."
More than once during his three years in Saint John, Sparling has resided in the coach's doghouse but not this year.
"I have a lot of respect for Jacques and the entire coaching staff," said the Sydney, N.S. native "They know their stuff. Jacques shows you the respect you deserve. He has a lot of respect from the team because we know he's going to do what is best for the team. I'm sure Jacques would move me if it would help the team and I wouldn't hold anything against him for that."
If given the opportunity, Sparling said he'd jump at the chance to return as a 20-year-old, choosing a fourth year in Saint John over a rookie season in the minor-pro ranks. Each team is allowed three 20-year-olds.
"When you look at it, it would mean I would have spent one-fifth of my life here. That's why I consider it my second home."
That doesn't mean he's giving up on a pro career.
"If hockey doesn't work out, I'd love to go to university and play hockey there," he said. "What more could you ask for, get an education and play a sport you love. You can't argue with that. I'd love to play pro and I'll take it as far as I can but I'm not going to be one of these guys chasing the dream until I'm 40.
"But looking ahead to next year, if they have a spot for me, I'll definitely be back."
It's just another thing that he and Beaulieu agree on these days.
"For sure, he'll be one of our 20s," said Beaulieu. "He'll be a big, big part of our team next year."
PETER MCGUIRE
GAME ON
Published Tuesday February 12th, 2008
Appeared on page B10
Imagine if the Saint John Sea Dogs decided to dump Ryan Sparling"‰"¦"‰drop him like a hot potato"‰"¦"‰see ya.
Seems ridiculous, right? This is a guy with 23 goals, 36 assists in just 42 games. That's 1.4 points per game.
The thought of Sparling not being part of the Sea Dogs' plans wasn't always so far-fetched. In fact, at the end of last season, the last-place Sea Dogs limped into their second straight off-season with their tails between their legs and it was a very real possibility.
Despite the team not doing so well in its first two seasons, Sparling appeared to have everything going for him.
On the surface he's blessed with plenty of playmaking ability, a big-league stride, and surprising toughness.
When you scratch beneath the surface in hockey, however, the first thing you notice is a player's commitment to defence and the best measuring tool is the plus-minus column (If you're on the ice for two more goals for than against while playing at even strength, you're a plus-2).
To put it mildly, Sparling wasn't measuring up.
"Either he figured it out or he wasn't going to be here," said Sea Dogs head coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu in his typical straight-forward manner. "He was minus-75 during his first two years. Basically when Ryan came here, he was playing pond hockey. He's like a lot of young guys when they come here. They don't have any structure."
Sparling has done an about face this season and is among the league-leaders in plus-minus with a plus-24 rating.
"In midget I was never too focused but when I came to the Q, I learned that it's a lot different and you have to begin preparing almost a day before the game," said Sparling. "That's what I do now. I think I've changed quite a bit. I think I've matured a lot as a player and a person."
More than once during his three years in Saint John, Sparling has resided in the coach's doghouse but not this year.
"I have a lot of respect for Jacques and the entire coaching staff," said the Sydney, N.S. native "They know their stuff. Jacques shows you the respect you deserve. He has a lot of respect from the team because we know he's going to do what is best for the team. I'm sure Jacques would move me if it would help the team and I wouldn't hold anything against him for that."
If given the opportunity, Sparling said he'd jump at the chance to return as a 20-year-old, choosing a fourth year in Saint John over a rookie season in the minor-pro ranks. Each team is allowed three 20-year-olds.
"When you look at it, it would mean I would have spent one-fifth of my life here. That's why I consider it my second home."
That doesn't mean he's giving up on a pro career.
"If hockey doesn't work out, I'd love to go to university and play hockey there," he said. "What more could you ask for, get an education and play a sport you love. You can't argue with that. I'd love to play pro and I'll take it as far as I can but I'm not going to be one of these guys chasing the dream until I'm 40.
"But looking ahead to next year, if they have a spot for me, I'll definitely be back."
It's just another thing that he and Beaulieu agree on these days.
"For sure, he'll be one of our 20s," said Beaulieu. "He'll be a big, big part of our team next year."