alkurtz
Registered User
I'm always interested in human interest stories and this guy is perhaps the best such story on the Rangers this year.
When you look at the arc of his career, you would have to say that he is what in baseball is called a AAAA players: perhaps to good for the minor leagues but not quite good enough for the majors.
Good enough for an occasional call-up when injuries hit, good enough always to get a contract, likely two-way each season, good enough to be in training camp, but never really a serious threat to make the roster.
After 5 years in the AHL and 4 call-up totaling 30 or so games, his mantra each September was likely "I just want a chance to prove what I could do on an extended basis. That's all I want....a chance."
At age 29, he was likely beginning to think that his NHL window was closing and maybe beginning to consider playing in Europe or the KHL.
And, this year, he got that long-desired chance. And, you know what, he's done a pretty good job.
He will never be more than a 4th liner, but sometimes 4th liners can have an NHL career that extends for a few years.
It's just nice to see a guy living his dream, spending an entire year in the NHL (though he is probably still not confident enough to believe that his roster spot is safe...and he may be right), and making the most of what is an opportunity that he thought would never happen.
I'm rooting for the guy and hope he stays and continues to play.
So often we forget that these guys are human beings. This is a real human interest story and heartening to see.
When you look at the arc of his career, you would have to say that he is what in baseball is called a AAAA players: perhaps to good for the minor leagues but not quite good enough for the majors.
Good enough for an occasional call-up when injuries hit, good enough always to get a contract, likely two-way each season, good enough to be in training camp, but never really a serious threat to make the roster.
After 5 years in the AHL and 4 call-up totaling 30 or so games, his mantra each September was likely "I just want a chance to prove what I could do on an extended basis. That's all I want....a chance."
At age 29, he was likely beginning to think that his NHL window was closing and maybe beginning to consider playing in Europe or the KHL.
And, this year, he got that long-desired chance. And, you know what, he's done a pretty good job.
He will never be more than a 4th liner, but sometimes 4th liners can have an NHL career that extends for a few years.
It's just nice to see a guy living his dream, spending an entire year in the NHL (though he is probably still not confident enough to believe that his roster spot is safe...and he may be right), and making the most of what is an opportunity that he thought would never happen.
I'm rooting for the guy and hope he stays and continues to play.
So often we forget that these guys are human beings. This is a real human interest story and heartening to see.