BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
Sudbury Wolves defenceman Marc Staal's
presence and skill is enough to galvanize a team into winning
big.
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Marc Staal is taking his rightful
place as the newest team captain for the Sudbury
Wolves. |
The Wolves organization acknowledged Staal's
impact by naming him team captain upon his return from the New
York Rangers training camp last week.
In Staal, the Wolves arguably have the best
defenceman in the OHL, and one of the best in the Canadian
Hockey League (CHL). And, he's ready to lead the team to
glory.
"Being named captain of any team is huge and
it's a big honour for me to be the captain of the Wolves," said
Staal. "This will be a challenge for myself to lead these guys
and do the best job I can. I want this challenge because I
expect more from myself and so do my teammates and coaches.
It's definitely the job I want."
Staal plans on leading by example.
"My best attribute is setting a good example
on and off the ice," said Staal. "I will show up every game and
practice and work hard to do what has to be done."
Staal had an immediate impact on the Wolves
in his first game back from the Rangers. The Wolves had lost
their first game of the 2005-06 season to Erie 5-1 and, at
times, looked lost. Staal played in the second game against a
sound Ottawa team and stabilized the entire team. He scored a
goal and helped keep the Wolves in the game until the bitter
end, which was a 4-3 loss. Even though the team didn't win, the
veteran defenceman made a huge difference. The player looked
more confident on ice, and the defence played a more solid
game.
It was an easy decision for Wolves head coach
and GM Mike Foligno to name Staal captain.
"Marc's work ethic on and off the ice and
knowledge of the game at this level is tremendous," said
Foligno. "He displays a drive and will to win every time he
plays. Marc is all about improving as a player and working with
his teammates to win, and those are a few reasons why we
decided to make him captain."
Staal has world-class skill and
attitude.
"Marc's vision is terrific," said Foligno.
"He can find outlets, especially from the defensive zone. He
can handle the puck and carry it, all under pressure and with
speed. His positioning is excellent. Not too many teams get
good opportunities to score when he's on the ice. Marc takes a
lot of pride knowing he will compete against the opposing
team's best players. He's really competitive and that has
allowed him to excel at this level."
Staal, like all OHL players, craves an OHL
championship and a berth to the Memorial Cup. He also wants to
improve his already flawless game, which is bad news for
opposing snipers looking for an easy goal.
"I want to contribute more offence while
still playing strong defence," said Staal. "To do that, I need
to contribute more on the power play and jump up on rushes when
it's the right time."
Staal had an eye-opening experience with the
Rangers.
"It was great to get my feet wet at the NHL
level with those pros," said Staal. "It was a great confidence
booster to keep getting better."
Wolves' assistant coach, Bob Jones, who
played defence in the OHL in the 80s, has coached for Sault
Ste. Marie, Brampton and Toronto. He's worked with plenty of
high caliber defencemen like Rostislav Klesla, Jay Harrison,
Richard Jackman and Nathan McIver and Jones knows a good thing
when he sees it.
"Marc is right up there with some of the best
defenceman I have ever coached, if not the best," said Jones.
"Marc is a number one defenceman in this league. I firmly
believe he has the attributes to be a number one defenceman in
the NHL one day."
