Post by dogcatcher on Feb 2, 2008 9:38:50 GMT -4
Stich sews up Dogs blueline
QMJHL: Saint John rearguard impresses with his shot and smooth transition to life in Canada
Andrew Mcgilligan
Telegraph-Journal
Published Saturday February 2nd, 2008
Appeared on page C10
SAINT JOHN - By his own admission, Saint John Sea Dogs defenceman David Stich might have a screw loose.
How else can he explain why he routinely and willingly steps in front of and blocks shots on a nightly basis in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
"I don't know if I'm crazy, but I just go on the ice and block shots," Stich said. "I don't care if it's going to hurt or not."
Whatever the explanation, the second-year defenceman from Plenz, Czech Republic has become an invaluable player for the Sea Dogs this season.
Thursday's 4-3 win over the Victoriaville Tigres is an example. Early in the game, Stich blocked a shot that caused his knee to swell up. While the pain may have forced other players out, Stich continued to take a regular shift, much to the amazement of Sea Dogs head coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu.
"The way it swelled up, it was amazing he continued to play," Beaulieu said.
"He plays huge for us, he's fearless," the head coach said. "He does what ever it takes and really plays a North American style of game."
While the 18-year-old has improved on the ice this season, off the ice, he's miles ahead of where he was last year. Before coming to play in Saint John, Stich was playing in the Czech Republic senior league for his hometown team Plzen HC.
He talked with some players who'd played in North America and got the same answer every time - it was a better caliber of hockey. Stich said he discussed the idea with his agent and both felt playing in Canada would be good for his hockey career.
"I tried it last year and I loved it," he said.
However, the transition to North American life wasn't easy. When he arrived in Saint John, he didn't speak English and was often carrying around a Czech-English dictionary to help with translation. Then came the task of learning hockey systems and assignments without verbal communication.
"It was hard at first, a lot of drawing on the board and video," said Beaulieu who's worked with several European players while an assistant coach with the London Knights.
Stich was also going to a tutor to learn English and has improved immensely since his arrival.
"He has wonderful billets and its been a real team effort," Beaulieu said.
As for how the decision to play in Saint John has affected his career, Stich went undrafted in the 2007 NHL entry draft but was invited to the Dallas Stars rookie camp last year.
"After I played the games there, I talked with the team and they said they were surprised with me and that I played good," he said. "They said they'd come and watch me play this year."
While his willingness to block shots is a big asset to the Sea Dogs, it's his own shot that makes goalies pray someone else gets in front of it.
"He's definitely got the hardest shot on the team, he might have the hardest in the league," Beaulieu said. "The biggest thing with David's shot is working on his accuracy."
His point blasts might start making other players wonder if they're the crazy ones for getting in front of Stich when he's ready to fire.
He'll find out again Sunday when the Sea Dogs travel to Moncton to take on the Wildcats in a 4 p.m. start.
QMJHL: Saint John rearguard impresses with his shot and smooth transition to life in Canada
Andrew Mcgilligan
Telegraph-Journal
Published Saturday February 2nd, 2008
Appeared on page C10
SAINT JOHN - By his own admission, Saint John Sea Dogs defenceman David Stich might have a screw loose.
How else can he explain why he routinely and willingly steps in front of and blocks shots on a nightly basis in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
"I don't know if I'm crazy, but I just go on the ice and block shots," Stich said. "I don't care if it's going to hurt or not."
Whatever the explanation, the second-year defenceman from Plenz, Czech Republic has become an invaluable player for the Sea Dogs this season.
Thursday's 4-3 win over the Victoriaville Tigres is an example. Early in the game, Stich blocked a shot that caused his knee to swell up. While the pain may have forced other players out, Stich continued to take a regular shift, much to the amazement of Sea Dogs head coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu.
"The way it swelled up, it was amazing he continued to play," Beaulieu said.
"He plays huge for us, he's fearless," the head coach said. "He does what ever it takes and really plays a North American style of game."
While the 18-year-old has improved on the ice this season, off the ice, he's miles ahead of where he was last year. Before coming to play in Saint John, Stich was playing in the Czech Republic senior league for his hometown team Plzen HC.
He talked with some players who'd played in North America and got the same answer every time - it was a better caliber of hockey. Stich said he discussed the idea with his agent and both felt playing in Canada would be good for his hockey career.
"I tried it last year and I loved it," he said.
However, the transition to North American life wasn't easy. When he arrived in Saint John, he didn't speak English and was often carrying around a Czech-English dictionary to help with translation. Then came the task of learning hockey systems and assignments without verbal communication.
"It was hard at first, a lot of drawing on the board and video," said Beaulieu who's worked with several European players while an assistant coach with the London Knights.
Stich was also going to a tutor to learn English and has improved immensely since his arrival.
"He has wonderful billets and its been a real team effort," Beaulieu said.
As for how the decision to play in Saint John has affected his career, Stich went undrafted in the 2007 NHL entry draft but was invited to the Dallas Stars rookie camp last year.
"After I played the games there, I talked with the team and they said they were surprised with me and that I played good," he said. "They said they'd come and watch me play this year."
While his willingness to block shots is a big asset to the Sea Dogs, it's his own shot that makes goalies pray someone else gets in front of it.
"He's definitely got the hardest shot on the team, he might have the hardest in the league," Beaulieu said. "The biggest thing with David's shot is working on his accuracy."
His point blasts might start making other players wonder if they're the crazy ones for getting in front of Stich when he's ready to fire.
He'll find out again Sunday when the Sea Dogs travel to Moncton to take on the Wildcats in a 4 p.m. start.