Andrew Vitalis

A homegrown pro: Blaine’s Matt Hendricks

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Last Updated on Sunday, 27 May 2012 23:31

By Andrew Vitalis

He’s had injuries before, but none like this.

He’s dealt with frustration in the past, but not this bad. Yes, Matt Hendricks finds himself in uncharted territory.

Two weeks ago, Hendricks was playing in his sixth game of the season for the Lake Erie Monsters of the AHL. During the game, the Blaine, Minn., grinder took a slapshot off his foot. The pain he felt was soon followed by a medical diagnosis, then surgery. Fast-forward to the present, Hendricks reflects on the injury while driving on I-94 on his way back to Minnesota.

“I’ve had issues in the past, but this is the one I can’t play through,” mentioned Hendricks. “It happens though, it’s part of the game. It’s frustrating because at the beginning of the season, I was struggling to get on the score sheet for the first five or six games I played and then this ended up happening. I was really down at first. I had a great camp with Colorado (Avalanche); I scored a couple goals and added a couple of assists. I worked really hard in the offseason to get in the best shape of my life, but at the same time, it’s part of the game and just another obstacle to overcome.”

The former St. Cloud State Husky, known for his hard-nosed play, has been facing obstacles his entire career and rolling right over them, breaking them in the process. As a high school junior, Hendricks remembers the pressure of deciding whether to return to Blaine for his senior season or jump to the USHL and play for the Twin Cities Vulcans. The pressure was at times unbearable, especially for a 17 year-old kid. At the time, the trend in college hockey, most notably in the WCHA, was to recruit players from the junior ranks instead of plucking them right out of high school. Despite that, Hendricks chose the high school experience. It was the first of many tough decisions he’s had to make, living the life of a professional hockey player.

“You try to listen to people who have helped you along the way,” remarked Hendricks. “Everyone has their own idea about things. Back then, I had too much fun playing baseball and football and things like that. I talked to my parents and listened to them.”

So he skipped on juniors for the first time. One year later, with his high school career behind him, Hendricks passed on juniors for a second time, deciding instead to attend St. Cloud State.

“The coaches and scouts all felt I was ready to make the jump,” remembered Hendricks. And what a jump it was. At times playing against players five to six years older than he was, Hendricks cracked the Husky line-up as a freshman and never looked back. It was a crucial moment in his hockey career. There, playing for Craig Dahl, Hendricks re-defined himself as a player. It’s an identity that he credits with much of his success even today.

“You have to change your game, I did back then. When I was a pure freshman, coach Dahl put me on the fourth line. I had to adjust my style of play a little bit to stay in the line-up,” said Hendricks. “When you’re in that position, you have to do the dirty things, the gritty things. Not everyone likes to do those things, but they need to be done.”

Ironically enough, after college, Hendricks moved into the pro ranks in roughly the same situation. A rookie looking to prove himself, he reverted back to his grinder mindset. Like in St. Cloud, it worked like a charm. Playing for the Florida Everblades of the ECHL, Hendricks burst onto the professional scene in 2004-05 by scoring 50 points in 54 games. Almost more importantly, at times, Hendricks registered 94 penalty minutes.

“You earn ice time by making the coach happy, building trust with the coach. It was kind of like college again. You play gritty and pretty soon you begin to get opportunities on the penalty kill or on the power play. Then all you have to do is make the most of those opportunities,” stated Hendricks.

It didn’t take long for the rewards to come. After 54 games with Florida, Hendricks was called up to the AHL, a level he’s been playing at ever since. From Rochester to Hershey to Providence, his numbers speak for themselves (53 goals, 71 assists and 213 penalty minutes since 2005). Even better than that, his individual accolades have been trumped by his team’s success. Hendricks was apart of the 2003-04 Milwaukee Admirals championship team, and last season, Hendricks’ Hershey Bears lost in the first round of the playoffs to Wilkes-Barre.

“I’m 27 now. I wished I would’ve played a game or two in the NHL by now but I haven’t,” remarked Hendricks. “For players to get there (NHL) they have to play on a good team and I’ve really been fortunate to have played on some great teams. You try to be at your best for the team you play for. There are 24 guys in the locker room. You look around and you’re all in the same boat, everyone is trying to make it to the NHL.”

In saying that, the goal right now for Hendricks, driving west on I-94 en route to his parent’s house, is simple- get healthy. Doctors gave him a ten-week timetable. Eight weeks left.

“I hope to get back on the ice in six or seven weeks. The biggest challenge is just to get back into shape,” said Hendricks. “When I came out of college, that was during the (NHL) lockout. I didn’t really get the opportunity to show what I could do right away. Now dealing with this, I just need to remember that I’m going to get an opportunity when I get back and that’s what matters. It’s that carrot at the end of the stick that keeps me going.”

If history has taught us anything, when it comes to Matt Hendricks, he’s not only going to catch the carrot, he’s going to break the stick.

A homegrown pro: Hermantown’s Jon Francisco

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Last Updated on Sunday, 27 May 2012 23:31

By Andrew Vitalis

Jon Francisco doesn’t live in the past. Never has. It’s just not his style. When asked if he’s had any regrets, the Hermantown, Minn., native didn’t even have to think about it.

“I never live with regrets,” stated Francisco. “I never have and I don’t think I ever will. I really don’t think I can. What’s happened has put me in the position I’m in right now, so how can I?”

How could he? To be blunt, those who have followed Francisco’s hockey career might have a different take on things. In a game of bounces, he’s definitely seen his share.

Take the 2005-06 season for example. Francisco, playing his second stint in the AHL for the Manchester Monarchs (he played two games for the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL in 2003-04), dislocated his right kneecap during his very first shift of his very first game. The injury sidelined him indefinitely. So, I asked again, any regrets? The answer was still basically the same. “Not finishing my education. There’s a regret for you,” laughed Francisco.

In a time where athletes often talk about what they don’t have, Francisco refuses to play along. Instead, he constantly refers to what he does have.

“When I got injured, it was really the first time I had ever been seriously injured,” remembered Francisco. “I knew it was really bad when it happened. At first, I was disappointed but I knew there was nothing I could do to change it. I tried to make the best out of it. I asked the team if I could go down to Reading (ECHL) and rehab, that way I was with my family. My daughter had just been born so it gave me a great opportunity to spend a lot of time with her. That was great.”

With his wife Bridget and daughter Natalie by his side, the former University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldog concentrated on rehab. However, the injury bug refused to go away. After working back into shape, Francisco suffered the same injury later that year, this time leading to surgery. Then the next season while playing with Reading, you guessed it, another dislocated kneecap. As the saying goes, bad things usually happened in threes.

“It was really frustrating because it wasn’t like I was hit hard or anything. All three times I got hurt, I was just skating,” mentioned Francisco. “I didn’t really know what to do at the time.”

Not knowing where to go next, Francisco once again leaned on his family and went back to work. With his rehab routine second nature by then, Francisco made his way back onto the ice in time to finish the 2007 campaign with Reading. In 36 games played, he scored seven goals and added 12 assists. At the end of that season, Francisco and his family decided his knee had been through enough. For the first time since he could remember, the following hockey season began with Francisco in street clothes.

“Health wise, we felt my knee just needed a break,” commented Francisco.

As he jokingly put it, he got a real job. Francisco spent his time away from the rink getting his appraiser and real estate licenses. As time passed, his knee began to heal to the point where he and his family once again began talking hockey. So it was only fitting that he soon received a phone call from Karl Taylor, Francisco’s former hockey coach. Taylor had just accepted the head coaching position with a brand new franchise called the Ontario (Calif.) Reign of the ECHL, and he was calling for players.

“It really is too good to be true. It was really tough to pass up,” smiled Francisco. “Coach (Taylor) called and said he got the job, said he needed a good leader to build around, and asked how’s your knee?”

Francisco got his answer right away. While working his way back into playing shape, he lost close to 30 pounds. More importantly, his right knee responded. After three months of training, Francisco opened up the 2008-09 campaign back in skates, and he’s loved every minute of it. Through six games with the Reign, Francisco has scored four goals and added four more assists.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling. I’ve thanked (Taylor) many times. I feel like I’m back in high school. I’m having fun again. I consider myself fortunate more than anything. Here, I spend my time at the rink in the morning and then I come home and spend the rest of my day with my family. I’m very happy to be playing again. You ask anyone who doesn’t play anymore, they miss the locker room, and they miss the guys. I have fun going to the rink everyday. Guys don’t understand what it’s like to work in an office, I do. I guess I just don’t want to grow up yet.”

If it’s not broke, why fix it? Now a father of two, daughter Natalie and son Alex, Francisco is prepared to ride the wave all the way to the end. Whenever that’s going to be is anyone’s guess.

“We’ll see how the health is,” replied Francisco, when asked about his playing future. “I’d like to spend a few years out here. If an AHL contract comes out of it, great. The dream is always there, but I also know very few teams are looking for a guy like me. I still have that dream to go to that next level. I just don’t want an injury to get the best of me; I don’t want that to stop me. I want to end on my own terms.”

A homegrown pro: Oakdale’s Mike Howe

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Last Updated on Sunday, 27 May 2012 23:31

By Andrew Vitalis

Most professional hockey players will tell you, finding the “right opportunity” is sometimes more elusive than locating Bigfoot himself. Just because someone gives you a shoe, or in this case, a skate, doesn’t mean it’s always going to fit. Mike Howe found himself in that difficult situation last summer. With his fourth and final season in the Maroon and Gold behind him, the former Gopher knew he wanted to play professional hockey, he just didn’t know where. It was a frustrating time to say the least.

“I was working with my agent. I wasn’t sure whether I was going to continue playing hockey or get a job in the area I got my degree in,” remembered Howe. As a matter of fact, when asked how close he was to not playing this fall last summer, Howe replied “50-50.”

“I was 100 percent sure I wanted to keep playing, I wasn’t really sure if I was going to be presented with the right opportunity,” remarked Howe. “We had talked to a few teams and then this opportunity came up and I knew right away it was the right fit for me.”

“This” opportunity was a contract offer from a brand new organization – the Ontario Reign of the ECHL. Now Howe spends his days and nights skating on the ice and his off time on the beach in sunny Southern California.

 Okay, the perks are more than just the weather. I think it’s safe to say Howe fell in love with the atmosphere. A line-up regular with the Gophers, Howe knew what it was like to play in front of a raucous crowd, experiencing the energy of a positive hockey environment.

 “I do feel a little re-energized. I definitely realized that’s (playing hockey) what I wanted to do,” stated Howe. “It’s been fun. It’s a brand new program. We’ve been out in the community a lot meeting the fans. Every night we play in front of a crowd that’s energized. That energy really rubs off on you as a player. The guys in the locker room feel it and it really makes it a great place to play.

“I wanted to play hockey in the right situation,” continued Howe. “Ontario was the best situation for me. I really liked (head coach) Karl Taylor. I really liked the city, the organization. It’s just been a great fit for me.”

Having that type of a comfort level is extremely important, especially when you’re a rookie. During his time at the “U,” Howe played in an eye-popping 156 games, registering 31 goals and 34 assists. Not surprisingly, he experienced his most successful season on the stat sheet his senior season when he lit the lamp seven times and added 14 more helpers.

Now in his first season with the Reign, despite being slowed by an early-season concussion, the Oakdale, Minn., native is excited about adding to his hockey resume.

“I’m playing on a small rink again,” mentioned Howe, when asked about the differences between the college and professional game thus far. “Playing in the WCHA, the majority of the rinks were Olympic-sized rinks. Here, everyone is fast and everyone is big. So far, it’s been a really good learning experience. You have great competition, great hockey. Every team is good. I think it’s been a pretty smooth transition though. This team has a bunch of great leaders to help that transition.”

Much like his time with Minnesota, Howe once again has the luxury of being surrounded by talent, character and most importantly, experience. In simple terms, he’s a freshman again. Howe remembers the lessons he first learned while skating around the rinks of the WCHA, hoping they’ll apply this time around, too. There is no magic potion to success, but there is a formula he intends to follow that will certainly put him on the right track.

“Concentrate on the day. I try to concentrate on what I can do to get better, play as well as I can and hopefully that will take me as far as it can. That’s really all I can do,” said Howe. “My goal, like every player out there, is to make it to the NHL. I want to make it as far as I can, but I’m tying to take it one day at a time and get better everyday. I’m playing hockey, I love hockey. As far as the future goes, I’m going to keep on playing hockey until they tell me I can’t anymore.”

Like he said before, re-energized.

A homegrown pro: Bemidji’s Joe Motzko

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Last Updated on Sunday, 27 May 2012 23:31

By Andrew Vitalis

Five times he’s gotten the call, if not literally, at least figuratively. Five times Joe Motzko has experienced the thrill of being called up to the show, the big time, the NHL. Unfortunately for Motzko, however, five times, the Bemidji, Minn., native has felt the frustration of returning to the AHL. It’s a roller coaster ride Motzko is still riding, but for how long?
”The window of opportunity is closing a bit,” remarked Motzko, a former standout at St. Cloud State. “People are less willing to take a chance on an older guy. I don’t think it really changes anything though. All you can do is keep doing the things that got you this far and hopefully you find a niche somewhere.”

As Motzko puts it, you have a choice. He chooses to move forward and think about the future rather than dwell on the past.

Motzko’s journey as a pro began during the 2002-03 season. Fresh off a senior season with the Huskies where Motzko tallied 42 points in 38 games, he got his feet wet with the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL, playing two games with the Columbus Blue Jackets affiliate as they closed out the season.

The next season, Motzko returned to the Crunch and quickly began to assert himself on the ice. Known as one of the hardest working skaters in the country as a college player, Motzko immediately began to produce for the Crunch, scoring 41 points in 70 games. The Blue Jackets took notice, promoting Motzko by calling him up for two games in the NHL. It was just enough to whet his appetite.

“You wish you could remember more of it,” smiled Motzko, referring to his first NHL experience. “You’re so pumped up, you are just in awe. I remember lining up against Mike Madano of the (Dallas) Stars. I had a Modano jersey when he was with the North Stars. I didn’t know whether to slash him or ask for an autograph.”

Motzko wanted more. A solid 2004-05 campaign back with the Crunch followed (66 points in 79 games). Still with the Crunch the next season, Motzko continued to produce, averaging an eye-popping one point per game. At the tail end of the 2005-06 season, Motzko once again got a chance to strut his stuff in the NHL, playing two games with the Jackets. The next season, seven games with Columbus, including his first NHL goal.

“When I do get my opportunities, I need to do something to stand out. I’ve done that, but at the same time, I haven’t,” commented Motzko. “It’s hard because you need to play well when you get your chance, get someone on your side. If that doesn’t happen, who knows when you’re going to get that next opportunity.”

A new opportunity came knocking on Jan. 26, 2007, when Motzko, along with fellow former St. Cloud State star Mark Hartigan, were dealt to the Anaheim Ducks. It was with the Ducks that Motzko experienced his best professional memory to date. He played in three games for Anaheim. All three were played during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, including one game played in the Stanley Cup Finals. The Ducks eventually won the Cup, defeating Ottawa.

“That’s got to be number one,” smiled Motzko. “Anytime you get a chance to play for the Staley Cup, that’s every kid’s dream when you’re young. I was fortunate. I played a couple games against Detroit, played one game against Ottawa in the finals. I guess I was a little lucky, being in the right place at the right time.”

The Washington Capitals took notice. In July of 2007, Motzko signed with the Caps, inking a two-year deal. During the 2007-08 campaign, he experienced his longest and most successful professional stint, playing in eight games with Washington, notching two goals and adding two more assists. Still, he struggled to find a permanent spot on the roster. Then in February of 2008, Motzko was again moved, this time to Atlanta for Alexandre Giroux. Now a standout for the Chicago Wolves of the AHL, Motzko continues to play with both eyes on the ice and at least one ear listening for the phone.

“I try not to analyze it too much,” remarked Motzko. “It can get you down or it can get you to work harder, I guess it depends on how you look at it.”

Chicago Wolves head coach Don Granato knows that’s the perfect way to look at it.

“That’s one real strength of his,” stated Granato. “You’ve got to have a good attitude. He’s been through some ups and downs and he’s still competing. He’s got enough talent to play. My approach is to make sure he’s working hard and to push him as hard as I can. There are about six or seven guys on the team who are in the same boat. The challenge for Joe and those other guys in his position is staying ready. They always have to be ready for that next opportunity because you never know when it’s going to come.”

Next week? Next month? Next year? Motzko admits that his days are numbered. Now a 28 year-old veteran, he constantly tries to keep things in perspective. Already with a resume that would make most hockey players jealous, he hopes to add a few more pages to his work-in-progress novel. But if the puck doesn’t bounce that way, one thing’s for sure, you won’t hear any complaints from No. 21.

“Regardless of what happens at any level, you’re playing hockey,” said Motzko. “You have to be happy about that. Look at it this way; you could be working in a cubicle somewhere. Have fun with it and work hard. At the end of the day, it’s just a game.”