MONTREALDuring his four years at Brown University, Flyers rookie winger Harry Zolnierczyk rarely ever stepped into that sacred area known as the faceoff circle.
I wasnt playing much center back in college, but I was taking draws on PKs, Zolnierczyk said.
For the short-term here, Harry Z, as everyone calls him, will be taking more draws in all situations as the fourth-line center until Brayden Schenn returns from a concussion. Sean Couturier got a promotion to the first line against Washington, replacing Claude Giroux (concussion). Hence,Zolnierczyk was asked to play an entire game at center.
Hes young player who wants to play, no matter what his role is, assistant coach Craig Berube said. Weve been working with him about what a centerman has to do in terms of responsibilities down low, in terms of the second forward along the boards on the left wing lock. He hasnt played the position before, but he picks it up. The key is being aggressive on the draw and we tell him that.
Zolnierczyk sought out Danny Briere for faceoff advice.
There is going to be times where someone is going to pick you clean, Zolnierczyk said. But for the most part, its who can come in with that stronger stick. Who is more ready and more intense when that puck drops.
Briere gave the 24-year-old a couple of tips mixed with his own philosophy about the center position.
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When you are going against the same guy and he beats you three times the same way, you try to switch it up andadapt, Briere said. I told him when you are coming in and full of energy, use that to your advantage. Go in there hungry and fight like a dog to win the draw.
Against Washington,Zolnierczyk split his draws with Mathieu Perreault and lost his only draw to Cody Eakin.
This is all new to a guy who came up here on Oct. 29 when Briere, Matt Read and Zac Rinaldo all were out of the lineup with injuries.
Harry Z stuck around for all but one game, briefly being re-assigned to Trenton for salary cap purposes. What was supposed to be short-term fill-in has turned into long term look at his talents because the Flyers have had so many injuries scattered throughout their lineup.
In camp, the expectation was to be here, Zolnierczyk said. And it didnt happen and then it became Up for a game and go back down, which was frustrating. Then quickly back up again. A few injuries helped me get myself back up here. Then just trying to work as hard as I could to make sure I didnt give them an option to send me down when people are healthy.
The Flyers literally cant afford to have him go anywhere right now. Harry Zs ice time has slowly risen to a 7:22 average.
You talk to anyone who plays the fourth-line role, he said. Thats what makes fourth-line players good. Can they be effective when theyre out for that shift every 4-5 minutes in the period. Thats something our line takes pride doing. We want to make sure our line isunstoppable.
His line right now has Jody Shelley and Rinaldo on it.
Harry Zs assets are speed and quickness. He notched his first NHL goal during his rookie debut this season at Ottawa. Then got sent back to the Phantoms the very next day.
Nevertheless, this is a learning experience for him. Not just as an NHLer, but moving from wing to center. Just ask Briere.
On the wing, sometimes you can go out there 2-3 shifts in a row and nothing happens, Briere said. You are on your wall and never really involved in the play. As a centerman, you have to be focused every single shift. You are always involved. You are supporting everybody. Puck goes to your left wing, youre supporting him. To the other wing, you support him. You are always more involved in the game and cant take any shifts off.
Zolnierczyk says he was excited playing center in Washington and looks forward to getting a few more touches with the puck in Thursdays game at Montreal, as well.
Thats just kinda another compliment to know the coaches have that trust, he said. I was playing wing and theyre thinking they can trust me at center for a game or two. I thought it went well in Washington. I had a few more touches with the puck circling there through the middle and supporting the defense and learning to play a little lower in the defensive zone. It was exciting, to be honest.
Flyers coach Peter Laviolette admits this isnt the most ideal situation, but that Zolnierczyk has shown hes willing to give it a go.
Like Giroux, hes a real effective player because of his speed, Laviolette said. Harry really attacks with the puck. Speed can make defenders uneasy and he has it. When he utilizes that to his advantage, he is a real threat out there. Also, the speed that he uses to take time and space to defend, it makes it more difficult for the opposition. To throw him in there and change his position, he was more than happy to do it and I thought he did a nice job.
E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net