Post by dogcatcher on Sept 8, 2007 6:41:43 GMT -4
Quiet confidence
Andrew Mcgilligan
Telegraph-Journal
Published Saturday September 8th, 2007
Appeared on page C10
SAINT JOHN - Teammates have given goaltender Travis Fullerton the nickname 'Fully'. Not overly creative. Some suggested he be accompanied on the ice by the Tragically Hip song 'Fully Completely'. Better, but still a play on his last name.
Maybe the best nickname for Fullerton is the word Saint John Sea Dogs head coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu uses to describe his veteran goalie - "the stabilizer."
To illustrate his point, Beaulieu points to the Sea Dogs' 6-2 pre-season win over the Lewiston Maineiacs. Saint John trailed Lewiston 2-0 eight minutes into the game.
"There were times during the first half of last season when we'd get down by two goals and there's no way we were coming back," Beaulieu said.
That mentality changed on Dec. 12, 2006 when Saint John dealt two draft picks to Lewiston for Fullerton.
"He's the stabilizer," said the Sea Dogs' bench boss. "I think with him being an older guy and having been around the league, he can settle everyone down."
Second-year forward Mike Thomas said the team quickly gained confidence in Fullerton after his acquisition.
"We know he can make the big saves and give us the opportunity to go the other way with the puck," Thomas said. "When we got wins last year, a lot of the time it was because of (Fullerton)."
So how does a player acquire the ability to stabilize a team and get them back on track? Many coaches believe it's not a skill that can be taught. Saint John goaltending coach Jim Fleming is among that group. He said Fullerton got stronger with every game he played in a Saint John jersey. Some nights the team would get blown out of a game and the next game Fullerton would be back between the pipes and steal a win.
"A lot of that is just who he is. Travis is a guy who faced some adversity last year and came back stronger each game," Fleming said. "We know what we've got with him and that's why he's so valuable."
His value on the ice is one thing, but Fullerton could prove important to the Sea Dogs' future. As a 20-year-old, part of his job will be to help the team's two first-year goalies - Robert Mayer and Troy Passingham - adjust to the league. Fullerton said he'll help the new guys however he can.
"I'm probably not one of the more vocal guys in the dressing room, but I try to lead by example and do the best I can to help the younger guys along," he said.
Fleming said he uses Fullerton as a teaching tool.
"I'm comfortable saying to those guys, 'Watch what Travis does, watch how he handles this,'" he said. "Watch practice and you see that no one works harder than Fullerton."
Like all 20-year-old QMJHL players, this season will determine what Fullerton will do with his hockey career. While he's aware of this and has goals he'd like to accomplish, he remains focused on one in particular.
"The most important thing is to help this team win," he said.
Playing behind Los Angeles Kings prospect Jonathan Bernier in Lewiston, Fullerton had limited opportunities to be the go-to goalie. It appears that experience only made Fullerton work harder.
"If there's anyone in this league who's questioning Travis Fullerton, they should learn a little bit about goaltending," Fleming said.
Andrew Mcgilligan
Telegraph-Journal
Published Saturday September 8th, 2007
Appeared on page C10
SAINT JOHN - Teammates have given goaltender Travis Fullerton the nickname 'Fully'. Not overly creative. Some suggested he be accompanied on the ice by the Tragically Hip song 'Fully Completely'. Better, but still a play on his last name.
Maybe the best nickname for Fullerton is the word Saint John Sea Dogs head coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu uses to describe his veteran goalie - "the stabilizer."
To illustrate his point, Beaulieu points to the Sea Dogs' 6-2 pre-season win over the Lewiston Maineiacs. Saint John trailed Lewiston 2-0 eight minutes into the game.
"There were times during the first half of last season when we'd get down by two goals and there's no way we were coming back," Beaulieu said.
That mentality changed on Dec. 12, 2006 when Saint John dealt two draft picks to Lewiston for Fullerton.
"He's the stabilizer," said the Sea Dogs' bench boss. "I think with him being an older guy and having been around the league, he can settle everyone down."
Second-year forward Mike Thomas said the team quickly gained confidence in Fullerton after his acquisition.
"We know he can make the big saves and give us the opportunity to go the other way with the puck," Thomas said. "When we got wins last year, a lot of the time it was because of (Fullerton)."
So how does a player acquire the ability to stabilize a team and get them back on track? Many coaches believe it's not a skill that can be taught. Saint John goaltending coach Jim Fleming is among that group. He said Fullerton got stronger with every game he played in a Saint John jersey. Some nights the team would get blown out of a game and the next game Fullerton would be back between the pipes and steal a win.
"A lot of that is just who he is. Travis is a guy who faced some adversity last year and came back stronger each game," Fleming said. "We know what we've got with him and that's why he's so valuable."
His value on the ice is one thing, but Fullerton could prove important to the Sea Dogs' future. As a 20-year-old, part of his job will be to help the team's two first-year goalies - Robert Mayer and Troy Passingham - adjust to the league. Fullerton said he'll help the new guys however he can.
"I'm probably not one of the more vocal guys in the dressing room, but I try to lead by example and do the best I can to help the younger guys along," he said.
Fleming said he uses Fullerton as a teaching tool.
"I'm comfortable saying to those guys, 'Watch what Travis does, watch how he handles this,'" he said. "Watch practice and you see that no one works harder than Fullerton."
Like all 20-year-old QMJHL players, this season will determine what Fullerton will do with his hockey career. While he's aware of this and has goals he'd like to accomplish, he remains focused on one in particular.
"The most important thing is to help this team win," he said.
Playing behind Los Angeles Kings prospect Jonathan Bernier in Lewiston, Fullerton had limited opportunities to be the go-to goalie. It appears that experience only made Fullerton work harder.
"If there's anyone in this league who's questioning Travis Fullerton, they should learn a little bit about goaltending," Fleming said.