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Bigger is better for Yadlowski |
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Written by Dale Woodard
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Thursday, October 09 2008, 10:34 PM |
There was something different about Brennan Yadlowski when he showed up for the Lethbridge Hurricanes training camp at the end of August.
New hair cut?
No, that’s not it.
New skates?
Maybe, but not that either.
Bulked up?
Bingo.
“I put on about 20 or 25 pounds of muscle, so that helps out a lot,” said Yadlowski. “I got focused on the little things in my game to help for the season.”
That added muscle will come in handy considering the Hurricanes plan to heap a lot more responsibility onto the shoulders of the 17-year-old second-year blueliner.
“He’s really improved,” said Hurricanes head coach Mike Dyck of the defenceman the team picked up in the fifth round of the 2006 WHL bantam draft. “As a 16-year-old last year he played a reasonable amount during the regular season, but he didn’t get much ice time in the playoffs. But he came back a lot stronger and a lot more confident. He’s been good for us this year.”
In seven games, Yadlowski has notched a goal and four points. As well, his plus-4 rating is second only to forward Dwight King’s plus-5.
Those solid numbers have been rewarded with ample time on special teams.
“He’s killing some penalties and has been on our powerplay,” said Dyck. “One of his strengths is he reads the game pretty well and he communicates and has some fire.
“That’s what we like about him. We expect it to be controlled, but we certainly like that he plays with a bit of an edge.”
After playing a regular shift last season, Yadlowski saw minimal playing time during the team’s playoff run to the WHL final.
Limited playing time or not, that playoff run was a valuable experience for the young defenceman.
“I learned a lot last year sitting in the playoffs,” said Yadlowski. “You bring it to next season. You work really hard in the off-season and come into the season knowing your role and knowing what you’re supposed to do.”
The Hurricanes head into tonight’s game after a so-so showing in Calgary last Thursday when the Hitmen jumped to a 3-0 lead and never looked back en route to a 4-2 win.
“I don’t think we need to be reminded,” said Dyck of the importance of icing a solid 60 minutes against Calgary. “We just need to get back to playing our game. We didn’t play our game in Calgary.
“When we get (Carter) Bancks and (Cam) Braes back into our lineup that’s certainly going to help us. They’re a big part of our identity.”
“That’s the big thing, playing the 60 minutes and sticking to our game for the 60 minutes,” said Yadlowski. “We have to get up for the Hitmen because you know they always get up for us. We have to get up for them.”
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