{"id":21087,"date":"2015-12-09T16:50:12","date_gmt":"2015-12-09T22:50:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/?p=21087"},"modified":"2015-12-10T15:55:06","modified_gmt":"2015-12-10T21:55:06","slug":"ahlplayers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/ahlplayers\/","title":{"rendered":"Different players shooting at a common goal"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>By <a href=\"http:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/?s=nick+zazulia\">Nick Zazulia<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"dropcap\">If you are a professional hockey player assigned to an NHL team\u2019s minor-league affiliate, such as the St. Louis Blues\u2019 AHL partner, the Chicago Wolves, your all-encompassing goal is to get called up to the Blues and win a million Stanley Cups.<\/p>\n<p>Obviously.<\/p>\n<p>That nature of an AHL team means a lot of rather different individuals share that goal, from fresh rookies to grizzled veterans, international teenagers to thirty-something married Americans.<\/p>\n<p>While the Wolves meld these various parts into a cohesive and winning team, players at various stages of their careers get different things out of their time in the AHL.<\/p>\n<p>Four such players talked about their priorities, what they look for in a team and how they see their roles on the Wolves.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<figure id=\"attachment_22090\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22090\" style=\"width: 474px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-22090\" src=\"http:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2015\/12\/MagnusPaajarviup2-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Magnus P\u00e4\u00e4j\u00e4rvi\" width=\"474\" height=\"316\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-22090\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Now playing with the Blues, forward Magnus P\u00e4\u00e4j\u00e4rvi will hope to spend the rest of the season in the NHL. St. Louis\u2019 second- and third-line left wingers, P\u00e4\u00e4j\u00e4rvi and Robby Fabbri are both Wolves products. (Ross Dettman\/Chicago Wolves)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>The former top prospect<\/h2>\n<p>Magnus P\u00e4\u00e4j\u00e4rvi, 24, is in a good spot. The Blues called up the left winger Nov. 4. He has since played 15 games for St. Louis, scoring three points, with assistant general manager Kevin McDonald calling him a \u201cfull-time player.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>P\u00e4\u00e4j\u00e4rvi took a circuitous route to get to that point. After being drafted 10th overall by the Edmonton Oilers in 2010, playing 80 games and scoring 34 points for them that season, P\u00e4\u00e4j\u00e4rvi was seen as a star in the making.<\/p>\n<p>His career hit a series of bumps from there, though, and he has spent large portions of each season since in the AHL. He was traded along with a second-round draft pick to the Blues for David Perron before the 2014 season. Since then, he played primarily with the Wolves until his promotion. Despite that, he kept his mind on his goal.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m not focusing on the AHL team,\u201d P\u00e4\u00e4j\u00e4rvi said before his promotion. \u201cMy goal is to play on the NHL team. I want to play, and I\u2019ve shown I can. The situation is, I\u2019m down here now. But when signing a contract, I\u2019m completely focused on the NHL team.\u201d<\/p>\n<div id=\"related\">\n<h2>Related Stories<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/chicago-wolves-the-farm-team-that-reaps-what-it-sows\/\">\u2022 Chicago Wolves: The farm team that reaps what it sows<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/wolvesmoose\/\">\u2022 Copley carries Wolves to second win over Moose<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/jake-chelios-seeks-to-make-a-name-for-himself-with-wolves\/\">\u2022 Jake Chelios sees to make a name for himself with Wolves<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/wolves-wish-program-makes-a-difference-for-needy-families\/\">\u2022 Wolves Wish program makes a difference for needy families<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/affordable-tickets-quality-hockey-a-winning-combo-for-wolves-2\/\">\u2022 Affordable tickets, quality hockey a winning combo for Wolves<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>P\u00e4\u00e4j\u00e4rvi said he tried to be a leader while in the AHL. Even though he\u2019s still young, he\u2019s in his sixth season since entering the NHL and has experienced contract arbitration, a new organization and a second contract. P\u00e4\u00e4j\u00e4rvi said he\u2019s aware that the newer players pay attention to what the more experienced guys do.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI try to take responsibility, be a good player, a leader on the ice and in the small details, the system,\u201d he said. \u201cThere is logic to it, and young players pay attention.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>P\u00e4\u00e4j\u00e4rvi said his focus was on what he could control. He wasn\u2019t concerned with how the AHL team did business as long as the system facilitated transitions.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt should be the same (style of play) in the AHL versus NHL (affiliates),\u201d P\u00e4\u00e4j\u00e4rvi said. \u201cIf it isn\u2019t, that\u2019s a problem.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>With that box checked, P\u00e4\u00e4j\u00e4rvi knew what he needed to do.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDoing the right things during games will get you up,\u201d said P\u00e4\u00e4j\u00e4rvi, who is listed at 6 feet 3, 208 pounds. \u201cI know what I have to do: get into more battles and win them. I win more than I used to, but I can win more.\u201d<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<figure id=\"attachment_22912\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22912\" style=\"width: 604px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2015\/12\/Eriah-cropped.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-22912\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-22912\" src=\"http:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2015\/12\/Eriah-cropped.jpg\" alt=\"Eriah Hayes\" width=\"604\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2015\/12\/Eriah-cropped.jpg 604w, https:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2015\/12\/Eriah-cropped-265x300.jpg 265w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 604px) 100vw, 604px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-22912\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Though it doesn&#8217;t play much into contract decisions, La Crescent, MN native Eriah Hayes said it&#8217;s great being just a four-hour drive from his wife and parents. (Ross Dettman\/Chicago Wolves)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Bubble boy<\/h2>\n<p>A guy still waiting for a real shot in the NHL is 27-year-old defensemen Eriah Hayes. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the San Jose Sharks after four years at Minnesota State University. He played 19 games for San Jose, but spent most of his time with its Worcester affiliate.<\/p>\n<p>This past offseason, he signed with the Wolves. That they, rather than the Blues, hold his contract means he is free to sign with an NHL team at any time.<\/p>\n<p>So why the Wolves?<\/p>\n<p>\u201cChicago is a great organization, it\u2019s centrally located, there are a lot of eyes on you every night,\u201d Hayes said. \u201cThis is a very professional organization. They treat you very well.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s really what it comes down to for Hayes: being seen exhibiting good, professional habits in a good, professional environment.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI want to approach every game that way, especially being a bubble guy,\u201d said Hayes, who has a goal, an assist and 20 penalty minutes in 10 games. \u201cFocusing on every shift, trying to earn a spot. They don\u2019t ask you to do different things down here \u2014 third-liners do what third-liners do, goal-scorers score goals, etc. If you do the right things down here, things are going to work for you up there.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>As for his off-ice role, Hayes is in an odd spot. Twenty-seven is trending toward old for an AHL player, but because of his path, he\u2019s not very seasoned.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou\u2019re only as old as you think you are,\u201d Hayes said. \u201cI\u2019m a third-year pro.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>But if his age doesn&#8217;t distinguish him in the locker room, something else does: his new wedding ring.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI usually do try to set an example as a team leader because when I wasn\u2019t married I\u2019d look at the married guys and think they had been around,\u201d Hayes said.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<figure id=\"attachment_21075\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21075\" style=\"width: 474px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-21075\" src=\"http:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2015\/11\/JordanSchmaltzup-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Jordan Schmaltz\" width=\"474\" height=\"316\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2015\/11\/JordanSchmaltzup-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2015\/11\/JordanSchmaltzup-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2015\/11\/JordanSchmaltzup.jpg 1090w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 474px) 100vw, 474px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-21075\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Jordan Schmaltz names Duncan Keith, Anton Str\u00e5lman, and Drew Doughty as players that he tries to pattern his game after. (Ross Dettman\/Chicago Wolves)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>The hot new prospect<\/h2>\n<p>Five years Hayes\u2019 junior with an unadorned ring finger and just a couple of months of professional experience after three years at the University of North Dakota is fellow defenseman Jordan Schmaltz. Drafted 25th overall in 2012, he is considered to be one of the Blues\u2019 top prospects.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAfter you get drafted and go to the camp, you\u2019re on a high, but then you\u2019re put back in place (pretty quickly once practices start,)\u201d Schmaltz said.<\/p>\n<p>Schmaltz says now that he\u2019s in Chicago, he\u2019s just another young player trying to earn ice time and learn from the veterans, particularly fellow defensemen who have spent time in the NHL such as Andre Benoit and Peter Harrold.<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s been an adjustment, though. The way guys take care of their bodies and prepare every day is significantly different between college and the pros, according to Schmaltz.<\/p>\n<p>Team composition is another change. This is the first time Schmaltz has played with guys who are more than a decade older than he is.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe age difference is kind of weird at first, but if anything, all hockey players make mostly the same jokes,\u201d which helps to minimize the disparity, Schmaltz said.<\/p>\n<p>Going forward, Schmaltz feels like the Blues and Wolves are on the same page about where he needs to improve.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m never going to be a guy who is laying a ton of big hits, but I can be a bit more physical to round out my game,\u201d said the 6-foot-2, 190-pound Schmaltz, who has one goal and nine assists. \u201c(That said,) anytime you can play to your strengths, it\u2019s what you want to do.\u201d<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<figure id=\"attachment_21996\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21996\" style=\"width: 474px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-21996\" src=\"http:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2015\/12\/JordanBinningtonup-1024x702.jpg\" alt=\"Jordan Binnington\" width=\"474\" height=\"325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2015\/12\/JordanBinningtonup-1024x702.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2015\/12\/JordanBinningtonup-300x206.jpg 300w, https:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2015\/12\/JordanBinningtonup.jpg 1028w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 474px) 100vw, 474px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-21996\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Jordan Binnington has promise and draft pedigree, but is part of a crowded goalie pipeline, as the Blues also hold the contracts of age 25-and-under net-minders Jake Allen, Pheonix Copley, Niklas Lundstrom, and Luke Opilka. (Ross Dettman\/Chicago Wolves)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>The seasoned prospect<\/h2>\n<p>Goalie Jordan Binnington is 22, same as Schmaltz. The Blues took him in the third round of the 2011 draft, one year before Schmaltz. Unlike Schmaltz, Binnington chose the junior hockey route over college. He has been playing professionally since the end of the 2011-2012 season, coming out of Canada\u2019s major junior Ontario Hockey League before that.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe dream for most guys and me personally is to play in the NHL,\u201d Binnington said. \u201cSaying that, it\u2019s also nice to have a team for a whole season you work with and go through ups and downs and with. (Not always having that is) the tough part about pro hockey.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Binnington (6-3-2, 2.51 goals-against average, .908 save percentage) is the Wolves\u2019 starter, making him the presumptive first in line for a call-up to the Blues, though he does cede almost half the team\u2019s games to 23-year-old Pheonix Copley, for whom St. Louis traded in the offseason.<\/p>\n<p>Binnington had a similar role last season, when he also split time in goal, but he started all of their playoff games. He went 25-15-4 with a 2.35 goals-against average and .916 save percentage during the regular season.<\/p>\n<p>He says he\u2019s fine with that role for now.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAt the point in my career,\u201d said Binnington, \u201cI think it\u2019s better to be getting in as many games as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The reason Binnington wants those games is to give himself more time to adjust to stopping high-level shots.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe technique part of it, most goalies at this level have down what works for them, so it\u2019s read and react,\u201d Binnington said. The difference for goalies at the highest levels of hockey is \u201cshot placement and velocity. The puck is coming off [a shooter\u2019s] stick faster, so you have to get used to that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>And while some things can be studied and picked up on video, the reading and reacting can only be honed from repetitions against great shooters. Even practice can be tough, because Binnington says most of the drills aren\u2019t really set up for the benefit of goalies. That\u2019s why he wants to get in as many games as he can, even if they\u2019re AHL games for now.<\/p>\n<p>Not that he would complain if he got promoted, that is. There would be things to like about that.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cGetting the NHL paycheck would be pretty nice.\u201d\u200b<\/p>\n<div class=\"featurecaption\">Photo at top: One of the keys to the Chicago Wolves&#8217; success this season has been pairing young goalies Jordan Binnington and Pheonix Copley, pictured, whom parent St. Louis Blues obtained in an offseason trade for T.J. Oshie. (Ross Dettman\/Chicago Wolves)<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Nick Zazulia If you are a professional hockey player assigned to an NHL team\u2019s minor-league affiliate, such as the St. Louis Blues\u2019 AHL partner, the Chicago Wolves, your all-encompassing goal is to get called up to the Blues and win a million Stanley Cups. Obviously. That nature of an AHL team means a lot [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":162,"featured_media":22703,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[452,509,31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21087","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-beyond-chicago","category-fall-2015","category-sports"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Different players shooting at a common goal - Medill Reports Chicago<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/ahlplayers\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Different players shooting at a common goal - Medill Reports Chicago\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"By Nick Zazulia If you are a professional hockey player assigned to an NHL team\u2019s minor-league affiliate, such as the St. Louis Blues\u2019 AHL partner, the Chicago Wolves, your all-encompassing goal is to get called up to the Blues and win a million Stanley Cups. 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Obviously. 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