Andrew Vitalis
A homegrown pro: Coleraine’s Gino Guyer
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- Last Updated on Sunday, 27 May 2012 23:31
By Andrew Vitalis
(Editor’s note: For each edition of Let’s Play Hockey in the 2008-09 season, contributing writer Andrew Vitalis will be catching up with a Minnesota-grown current or former minor league hockey player.)
It took him about one nanosecond to respond. When asked what his expectations are for the season, Gino Guyer didn’t mince words.
“Everyone is trying to make it to the highest level, I’m not any different,” remarked Guyer, a 2003 fifth round draft choice of the Dallas Stars. “That’s been my goal since I was a kid. Playing in the minors, you’re certainly not doing it for the paycheck. I just hope to get noticed. Hopefully I can keep moving up.”
Don’t bet against him. There have been periods throughout Guyer’s career where critics have done just that, and lost. For instance, when the former Gopher tore his ACL during the 2006-07 season, some weren’t sure how Guyer would recover, or if we would.
“My injury was the low point,” stated Guyer. “I was devastated.”
But Guyer himself knew it was only a matter of time before he worked his way back onto the ice. And time he had. His rehab took more than one year.
“I got off to a great start (before the injury),” remembered Guyer. “I realized that all I could really do at that point was work on rehab. I also decided to really try and work on the mental aspect of the game. I watched a lot of film and I paid more attention to the games when I was in the stands watching. I figured if I couldn’t play, I had to do something to improve my game.”
And that comment defines Guyer in a nutshell. During rehab, Guyer didn’t waste time complaining, instead, he re-dedicated himself to becoming a student of hockey, filling his time by learning more about the ins and outs of the modern day game. Slowly, his knee began to heal.
“It takes baby steps everyday,” commented Guyer. “I remember when I couldn’t even bend my knee. Everyday, I got to bend it a little more and a little more. Now, my knee is strong, if not stronger than it originally was. It’s been almost two years now since my knee surgery. Last year I wore a knee brace, I think it was more of a mental thing. This season, I haven’t worn it once.”
In other words, he’s back. Now a member of the Phoenix Roadrunners of the ECHL (a San Jose Sharks affiliate), Guyer has found his way back into familiar territory, back in front of the net and back on the score sheet. The Coleraine Minn., native finished last season by scoring 39 points in 49 games. This year, although the regular season has just begun, there’s no reason to think anything will be any different in 2008-09.
“Last year, once I got going, I averaged almost one point per game. I feel with enough playing time, I hope I can stay around that average,” remarked Guyer.
Not surprising. Offense has always been apart of Guyer’s game. Dating back to his time with the University of Minnesota, the Greenway High School grad tallied 29 or more points in three of his four seasons.
After turning pro, Guyer posted five points in just six games with the Alaska Aces before hurting his knee. Known for his soft hands and hockey IQ, Guyer is proud of his ability to light the lamp. However, he’s also quick to point out that other aspects of his game are also on the rise. Specifically, Guyer has worked hard on the defensive side of the puck. If that’s what it takes to make it to the next level, that’s what he’s going to do.
“There is no question, this level is about not making mistakes, making smart plays,” remarked Guyer. “You have to pay attention and do the little things, be positionally sound, block shots, finish your checks. I think I’ve improved the most at finishing my checks and playing the body. I’ve worked on my overall game. You need players who can score but you also need role players. Whatever it takes.”
Whatever it takes to achieve his dream.
“I’ve always set goals for myself, I’ve always set them higher than people would expect me to,” said Guyer. “I’m my worst critic. Like they say, shoot for the moon, set your sights for the stars. That’s the mindset I’ve always had, that and just have fun. I was taught from a young age that hockey is supposed to be fun. It’s just a game. I think that’s what people need to remember. It’s just a game and if you’re not having fun, it’s not worth it.”
A homegrown pro: Cottage Grove’s Scott Swanson
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- Last Updated on Sunday, 27 May 2012 23:31
By Andrew Vitalis
(Editor’s note: For each edition of Let’s Play Hockey in the 2008-09 season, contributing writer Andrew Vitalis will be catching up with a Minnesota-grown current or former minor league hockey player.)
Tori Holt, Colorado Eagles play-by-play voice, remembers a conversation he had regarding Scott Swanson.
“I was talking to Tyler Arnason (current Colorado Avalanche forward),” remembered Holt. “I picked him up from the airport and he was looking over our (Eagles) roster and he saw Swanson’s name. He was like, ‘Scott Swanson! I thought he would be one of the top four defensemen in the NHL.’”
Arnason wasn’t the only one with high praise. When Swanson graduated from Colorado College in 1999, everyone was convinced the Cottage Grove, Minn., native would continue his high-scoring ways in the pros. Riding a four-year high that culminated with a first team All-America selection in 1999, Swanson considered himself a can’t-miss. Unfortunately, the Washington Capitals, who selected Swanson in the ninth round of the 1995 draft, didn’t necessarily see things the same way.
“I was kind of in a state of confusion,” remarked Swanson. “I was drafted by Washington. I remember the Hockey News came out with their ratings of each team’s farm system and their player ratings. They had me listed as the top prospect in the entire Washington organization. I was shocked, but at the same time, we couldn’t get a contract signed.”
So what was standing in the way? It’s a familiar term, especially this time of year…politics. Despite three All-WCHA seasons where he scored an average of 39 points per year, Swanson was quickly and not-so-quietly introduced to the business side of the game. And he didn’t like it.
“I found out later that Washington’s general manager at the time and my agent didn’t get along,” remembered Swanson. “I mean, they just didn’t like each other. The mindset back then was to go to Houston (IHL), play well and hopefully I would get a contract or another team would see me play and trade for me.”
That’s exactly what Swanson did, however, the points didn’t come as fast as they had come before. After one season with Houston, Swanson moved onto the ECHL where he strapped up his skates for South Carolina. Unfortunately, with things going well, Swanson suffered through another aspect of the game he hadn’t dealt with before…injuries. Swanson’s right knee went 22 games in.
“It was a really frustrating time,” mentioned Swanson. “Even before I hurt my knee, I remember the road trips when I was playing with Springfield really getting to me. Those trips where you hop on a bus and you play three games in three nights in three different cities. That’s when it kind of hit me. I realized that there had to be more to it. After I blew out my knee, I realized that I would rather play and have fun doing it, even if it was at a lower level.”
To this day, Swanson points out that the knee injury changed his life. With a new outlook on the game, Swanson moved on, this time to Idaho where he played with the Idaho Steelheads of the WCHL for two seasons. There, Swanson found his scoring touch again, in addition to his love for the game. During the 2002-03 campaign, Swanson netted 69 points in 66 games.
At the top of his game, Swanson then took part in the inaugural season for the Colorado Eagles of the CHL in 2003-04, scoring 42 points in 53 games. Swanson’s play even earned him a call-up to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL for one final go around.
On July 21, 2004, Swanson officially announced his retirement. When it was all said in done, dating back to his time with the Omaha Lancers in the USHL, Swanson racked up 437 points in 11 seasons. As a pro, Swanson tallied 184 points in 293 games. He scored to the very end, and he did it on his terms.
“I certainly didn’t miss out on much,” smiled Swanson, when asked about his hockey career. “It made the whole journey a lot more interesting and fun, that’s for sure. I had some great accomplishments and some great disappointments. But even when I think back on the disappointments, I know they happened for a reason. I mean, think about it this way, if I hadn’t busted up my knee, I would’ve never met my wife. I look back at never getting a chance to sign with Washington, but if I would’ve signed back then, I probably would’ve never come here to Colorado and met my wife. Call it what you want, I guess I call it fate.”
A Colorado resident, Swanson has kept a firm grasp on the game of hockey, now as a color analyst for the Colorado Eagles. It a unique position for Swanson., who has experienced almost every end of the spectrum the game of hockey can provide. Not only does he help relate the game to the viewers, but more importantly, it gives him an opportunity to help introduce some of the Eagle players to the game…the real game. Now that’s fate.
“I can put myself in their shoes. The great thing about this organization (Colorado Eagles) is that they give a lot of good, young kids a chance and that’s great,” remarked Swanson. “I get an opportunity to share some of my experiences with them. I think the biggest piece of advice that I try to give is, don’t look at that brass ring as the end-all, be-all. Look at it as an option and if you get there, great. But if you don’t get there, you’re no less of a person.”
