Wellwood Proving Critics Wrong
Kyle Wellwood has heard the criticism throughout his junior career.
He’s not big enough. He’s not fast enough. He doesn’t have enough desire.
The 19-year-old Oldcastle, Ontario native has heard the criticism and this year is giving it back to the critics with his play on the ice.
Wellwood, who was selected in the first round of the 1999 OHL Priority Selection by the Belleville Bulls, won the Eddie Powers Trophy as the OHL’s top scorer while playing on a line with overage wingers Randy Rowe and Branko Radivojevic with Belleville in 2000-01. He was drafted in the sixth round of the NHL Entry Draft the following June by the Toronto Maple Leafs.
After a rough start to the following season, Wellwood was supplanted as the team’s number one centre by current National Junior Teammate Matt Stajan. On January 9, he was traded to the Windsor Spitfires for phenom Jason Spezza.
Wellwood will never be confused for a power forward – he hasn’t picked up a single penalty in nearly a full year since joining the Spitfires – but he has become more responsible in his own end. His plus-21 rating is the second best on the Spitfires this season.
He has added another offensive weapon to his repertoire since joining the Spitfires – goals. Although known more for his playmaking skills – Wellwood set up 83 goals in 2000-01 – he is on pace for his first 50-goal season this year. He is currently third among OHL goal scorers with 27 and is fourth in the scoring race with 62 points in 30 games.
Wellwood scored one of the most impressive goals in World Junior history to give Canada a 3-0 lead over the Czech Republic on Saturday.
After picking up the puck in the neutral zone, Wellwood cut into the Czech zone with a defenceman trailing by half a step. Wellwood cut across in front of the net and fired the puck as the defender pulled him down. Falling to one knee and then onto his back, Wellwood wired the puck over goaltender Martin Falter’s glove.
“I had a breakaway and I knew the guy was going to trip me,” Wellwood said about his effort. “He just slewfooted me, and I ended up forehanding it upstairs.
“I usually get about half my goals from my back,” Wellwood joked. “I get knocked down a lot.”
The goal was easily the highlight of the tournament to date and Brian Burke, President and General Manager of the Vancouver Canucks, was one of many impressed spectators.
“We’re going to be watching that goal on highlight reels for years to come,” Burke said in an interview on TSN during the broadcast.
Wellwood also set up the winning goal – a first period marker by Team Canada captain Scottie Upshall. The duo combined for several scoring chances, including a first period powerplay with the game still scoreless. Wellwood took a pass from Upshall and lifted the puck over an outstretched Falter. The shot glanced off the post.
“It seems like I’ve been hitting skates and posts through the first game and a period,” said Wellwood after the Czech game. “Getting that pass through to Scottie for the first goal that just lifted my spirits big time and I know me and Scottie were really happy that we finally clicked on one. After my goal we definitely set in a little bit and I think we’re going to (have) a lot more chemistry.”
Wellwood was invited to Canada’s summer camp each of the past two years, but didn’t make the club last year. His commitment to the defensive aspects of the game definitely made the difference when the final selection camp opened earlier this month.
“You want to know if you throw a player into situations can he take care of detail whether it’s a faceoff or playing defence and he showed that,” said Canada’s assistant coach Mike Kelly, a former OHL coach with the Spitfires and North Bay Centennials. “It’s the little things that shows he has a clear understanding of the game.”
Wellwood continues to prove his critics wrong. One game at a time.
– Aaron Bell
Photo: Dave Sanford CHA/HHOF
