MOFFAT MAKING AN IMPRESSION
A couple of National Hockey League scouts, after watching a recent period of play between the Kingston Frontenacs and Niagara IceDogs, observed that one Kingston player in particular was surprising them.
Their conversation was around defenceman Michael Moffat and the fact, as the one scout put it, “this guys bears some watching.”
Moffat, naturally, was pleased to hear what scouts are saying.
“I knew when I came to Kingston (from the London Knights last season) an opportunity was opening up for me,” Moffat, 19, said.
“I thought I had a decent year and I just worked really hard this summer. I guess it is paying off. It’s nice to hear (what scouts are saying). I’m going to stay humble and keep going.”
Moffat, who hails from Waterloo, had a dynamite season-opening game against the Barrie Colts — coach Todd Gill called it the best game Moffat has had in a Kingston uniform — and his physical play has been a big part of his success.
“He has been by far our strongest D-man. He’s the real deal. He can do it all,” Gill said.
“He’s physical and that’s his biggest attribute. He has to continue to be physical because players watch for him.”
Moffat is playing at 210 pounds, which is five to eight pounds less than last season and it is benefiting his play.
“He is lighter than he was last year and it has been good for him,” Gill said.
Moffat feels playing at a lighter weight has enhanced his physical game.
“I’ve always liked to play physical but this year I’m just bigger, faster and stronger,” Moffat said.
“It is a lot easier to lay those hits against faster guys or angle them out. I certainly love playing physical and it gets the boys going for sure.”
A popular teammate in the dressing room, Moffat is wearing an ‘A’ as one of the assistant captains. He takes the leadership role seriously.
“I’m trying to do what I can for the younger guys and set them on the right path,” Moffat said.
“At the same time you know I have to play my game, too, lead them in the right direction but make sure I’m on top of things as well.”
While he is off to a good offensive start, too — his eight points has him tied for the team lead with Ryan Kujawinski — Moffat said the Frontenacs are a different team this season compared to the club last year that needed scoring from the defencemen, too.
“We have a lot of skilled forwards this year. It helps that a (defenceman) can pass to a forward that can finish,” Moffat said.
“We’re a completely different team than last year. We have a harder work ethic and a smarter hockey IQ on a lot of these kids.”
Moffat is playing a lot of minutes, including on the power play, and coach Gill said there’s a good reason.
“He’s got some great offensive instincts. He can pass the puck, he can shoot. He’s a good skater,” Gill said.
“Sometimes, and everybody goes through this, the big thing is to identify your game, know it and stick to it and be the best at it,” Gill said.
“(Moffat) this year has started to understand that and his play if proof of that.”
However, Gill also said that Moffat and his teammates need to recognize, too, what the coach calls “knowing what the (game) clock is saying.”
“When there’s two minutes left on the clock and you are tired, you have to play the game differently than when you are fresh,” Gill said.
“You do that by using your head more than your body.”
The Frontenacs lost games in Oshawa and at home against the Sudbury Wolves where in both cases they had gone up a goal in the third period.
“We have to keep it simple. Go into the third with the mentality we are going to win by shutting a team down,” Moffat said.
Gill said the message at practices this week is to know the difference in game situations, especially when a player is getting tired.
“Get off when you are not fresh. Don’t get caught where you lose the puck and can’t back check because you are tired,” Gill said.
“We are going to preach that every day and they will get it. And when they do we will be a better club for it.”
Notebook: Billy Jenkins has been moved to centre on a line that will have Slater Doggett at right wing and Henri Ikonen at his natural left wing position. Gill said Jenkins is a natural centreman “who we feel can do a real good job there.” If Jenkins stays at centre, the Frontenacs will have Kujawinski, Jenkins and Darcy Greenaway down the middle. “That’s a pretty good three right there,” Gill said. … Kujawinski will have rookies Sam Bennett on left wing and Spencer Watson at right wing.
Fronts vs. Petes
What: Kingston Frontenacs are in Peterborough Thursday night to play the Petes.
Fallout: Peterborough plays its second game after general manager Dave Reid was fired. The Petes beat the Niagara IceDogs Tuesday under new GM/coach Mike Pelino.
Mr. Versatility: Slater Doggett, who scored his first OHL goal against Oshawa last week, has been used at all three forward positions plus a brief stint on defence. “He’s a very versatile player that every team needs,” Frontenacs coach Todd Gill said.
Rangers coming in: Kitchener Rangers make their only visit to Kingston Friday night. Game time is 7 p.m. at the K-Rock Centre
Article Courtesy of the Whig-Standard
