BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
Sudbury Wolves defenceman Marc Staal's
presence and skill is enough to galvanize a team into a
winner.
And the entire Wolves organization took no
time in acknowledging Staal's impact and named him team
captain upon his return from the New York Rangers training camp
last week.
In Staal, the Wolves have arguably 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 does 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. Staal scored
a goal and helped keep the Wolves in the game until the bitter
end, which was a 4-3 loss.
But Staal made a huge difference. Other
players looked more confident and the defence played a more
solid game. Wolves head coach and GM Mike Foligno didn't
have a difficult decision to make in naming 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 reason 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, and has also coached for Sault
Ste. Marie, Brampton and Toronto, and worked with plenty of
high caliber defencemen like Rostislav Klesla, Jay Harrison,
Richard Jackman and Nathan McIver.
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. He can do it all. I firmly believe he has the
attributes to be a number one defenceman in the NHL as well one
day."