Some have it, some don’t. Others need it to be coached out of them. Whatever the case, it’s a tool that sets players of similar skill sets apart.
When fans think of Joe Thornton, they picture a world class talent. One of the better playmakers in the game today, Thorton thrives on making plays using his vision, passing abilities and God-given size. Joe Thornton is also the poster boy for what fans have deemed ‘no heart.’
But is it really a lack of heart?
When discussing players and prospects, scouts talk about tools. I’ve coined many players as ‘toolsy’ for their talent and abilities to be a player. Shooting, passing, skating; all tools in a players arsenal to make a career in the game they love.
Then how do you sort the Sidney Crosbys from the rest of the pack?
Two prospects have fallen into the Thornton trap in recent years. Not that they have the talent that Big Joe has, but there’s no denying the similar game, the similar frame and that same lack of ‘take control’ mentality to their game.
In the hockey hotbed of Toronto, Joe Colborne has become a stamp from Burke on a modified rebuild through trades. Another kid with the ‘Big Joe’ nickname, Colborne came to the Leafs in the much publicized Kaberle trade, with high hopes and expectations. In 20 games with the Marlies, he would amass 8 goals and 8 assists, as Dallas Eakins continued to push him to use his large frame more. This pre-season, Colborne came into the mix for a potential job on the Leafs third line. With the likes of Kadri and Frattin ahead of him, it was a steep hill for him which proved to be too much for the time being. This has been the first taste of Joe Colborne for many fans in the GTA. The general outlook? A large center, who by the looks of it, lacked heart.
In Edmonton, Ryan Martindale became the forgotten prospect. Taken 61st in 2010, many were unaware of what the Brooklin native brought to the ice. He had a large frame at six-foot-four, and had just put up a PPG season (close enough). A year later, he had just centered the OHL’s best line of Toffoli-Martindale-Prince, putting up 83 points and a loss in the first round of the OHL Playoffs to the underdog Sudbury Wolves. Without a contract for much of the offseason, and AHL eligibility staring him in the face, the questions arose. What was the plan for Martindale? Another season with the 67’s, or will he get a chance in Oklahoma? The scouts were quite clear on Draft Day just over a year ago; Martindale showed signs of uninterested, unengaged and inconsistent play. Since then he’s been assigned to Edmonton’s AHL affiliate as he attempts to crack the pro ranks, but the question still stands.
Do they really lack heart?
My favourite forward to play the game was recently inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. At the peak of his career in 1993, Doug Gilmour was one of the best players in the game. He was small, he was feisty, he played all 200 feet of the ice, and he was talented. But through all of that, Dougie was one of the hardest workers on the ice. When the game was on the line, he took control. He wanted to be an impact player and he was an impact player. It was no longer a game on the ice. It was a mental battle for him to be the best every shift he played.
His nickname was ‘Killer’, and he had that killer instinct. Whether it was natural for him or not isn’t the point. He just had that piece to his game; the final tool.
Joe Colborne, Joe Thornton and Ryan Martindale are all passionate hockey players. They love the game as much as you and I. No one should ever question that love for the game. But like all other tools that a hockey player – or in this case – a prospect brings, sometimes it needs a little nurturing, a little practice and a lot of patience.
[email protected]
Join the Discussion:
»