When it comes to playoff hockey, every winning team has its share of warriors.
These warriors help teams win. They may not show up on the
score sheet every game, but they play smaller roles throughout
the games that add up to success.
One of the Sudbury Wolves greatest warriors all season was
Anton Hedman.
Before he took to the ice in his first OHL game, many
wondered about the size and toughness aspect of the Wolves,
especially with the graduation of six-foot-three, 225-pound
Zack Stortini and the suspension ban of six-foot-one, 200-pound
Kyle Mussleman.
Hedman just didn't fill the void, he expanded immensely.
From his very first shift, Hedman has gone out, time and
time again, and wreaked total havoc on opposing teams with his
rugged six-foot-three, 220-pound frame.
It seems it's natural for him to hurl his body into enemy
players like an out-of-control freight train.
Hedman hits, scores, stands in front of the crease, fights
and does dirty corner work without a second thought.
If you ever played organized hockey than you will know what
kind of a guy it takes to go in front of the other team's net
over and over again - it's tough.
Hedman exploded on the OHL, racking up 24 points in his
first 26 games, including 13 goals.
In a few short weeks, Hedman had established himself as a
permanent fixture on the power play and a solid player all
around.
Hedman backed up his robust play by dropping the gloves and
throwing the fists with some of the toughest players in the
OHL.
His scraps this season were memorable and savage at times.
He had his nose smashed in by Barrie's Michael Root after
getting jumped. Hedman eventually won the tilt and shrugged off
the busted up sniffer to keep playing in that game.
The Stockholm, Sweden native engaged in no less than 10
fights to prove his worth. His dance partners included Barrie's
David Pszenyczny, Windsor's Mike Weber, Peterborough's Craig
Cescon and Oshawa's Justin Sawyer.
Hedman won more than he lost, and he was fighting bona fide
heavyweights. As the season wore on, Hedman's production
slipped, especially in the second half of the season when he
was dealing with nagging injuries.
Still, even though the goals and points weren't coming as
easily, Hedman continued to put his body on the line and
contribute.
Playing that style of game - game in and game out - will
wear down any work horse.
He finished with 18 goals and 34 points in 60 games. He also
piled up 126 penalty minutes.
Hedman will no doubt play a pivotal role on the Wolves'
playoff success.
He's made for the gruelling playoff grind that can exact a brutal toll on players.
