Can you feel the love for Jody Shelley?
Thats just it. For some reason, Flyer fans dont feel it for their enforcer. Maybe its because Shelley had played just 12 games this season, going into the weekend.
Maybe its because he hasnt had a fight. Maybe that has something to do with playing less than five minutes a game.
Yet, one of the most thought-provoking individuals on the Flyers doesnt seem to get much respect his fan base the way other Flyer enforcers of the past have.
His presence on the ice speaks for itself, said coach Peter Laviolette. The way he plays the game, its a courageous job that he has. In the locker room, he is a good influence and can be a positive factor in the room.
Even when hes not in the lineup?
Ive had conversations with Jody. I know its hard not being in the lineup and I hate delivering the news when that happens.
NHL
Two things people seem to forget. One, Shelley is like a nuclear war head. He acts as a deterrent on the club to keep other teams honest about taking liberties.
Two, he is a guy everyone looks up to in the room. Dont kid yourself. Paul Holmgren admitted that losing Arron Asham took something out of the dressing room that wasn't easy to replace.
And the fact is, younger players look up to Shelley and respect him for what he has to do on the ice, even if he hasnt had to do it this season.
Fact: no Flyer is out of the lineup right now because an opposing player took liberties with him.
Shelley enjoys that a new generation of players still come to him for advice in the dressing room. Its one of the intangibles the Flyers feel they have in Shelleysomeone who be a calming influence on others.
I remember, I used to look up to Lyle Odelein and Luke Richardson, guys from the old school, Shelley said. I spent a lot of time watching these guys and how they act and how they carry themselves in all situations.
You realize how that has affected my career. Maybe its given me a chance to play this long. I dont know. Its a word called character and those guys had a lot of it. There are some days where you wonder where the league is going and what the league is made of but you remember what those guys brought to the game.
You try to share some of that in different ways. You try and give from a different approach, a different voice. I take pride when they come to me. I try to help out in any way I can.
E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net