As the final buzzer sounded on Friday April 8th, at Citizen's Business Bank arena, the Reign skated off with a 4-1 victory over division rivals the Bakersfield Condors.
It was a night that saw the role players thrive, with goals coming from Justin Auger, Brett Sutter, and an unexpected double from grinder Joel Lowry. With the Reign winding down their season, the team has had to fight against injuries and call-ups that have tested the depth of the roster. Players like Joel Lowry have started to get more minutes. There have also been some additions like Matt Leitner, who has now played 15 games with the Reign since being called up from the ECHL Manchester Monarchs in late February. There was also the recent college signing from Notre Dame, Sam Herr, who has drawn into four games already.
Out on the ice on Saturday night though there was an unmistakably massive, yet new figure at forward. No, it was not 6'7" Justin Auger, despite a striking similarity in both size and jersey number. The 6'6" Matt Schmalz, wearing No. 38 (Auger wears 39), dressed just his second game as a member of the Ontario Reign since finishing his 2015-16 season with the Sudbury Wolves of the OHL. It is likely, that with a fully healthy roster, that 20-year old would not see the ice this season. However, with injuries piling up, he drew in on the Reign's 4th line for the evening alongside Matt Leitner and Sam Herr. The line, altogether, had a strong evening. They created chances, they limited chances against, they possessed the puck, and they drew praise from Mike Stothers after the game. When asked about the importance of having that depth, Stothers responded,
"Yeah, it proved itself here tonight. You looked at who was out of the lineup and we needed having Herr here, we needed to have Schmalzy here....So, man, you can never have a deep enough bench."
He went on later in the scrum to talk more at length about his 4th line,
"Actually they were very good tonight. I was a little leery going into the game because of just inexperience. Leits is still learning the American Hockey League and you’ve got Schmalzy coming in from junior and Herr coming in. But it’s good for them to be in this type of environment. It’s getting close to the playoffs and games are very meaningful and important. Bakersfield’s trying to make the playoffs and we’re trying to win every game, so it’s good experience and I thought they did a real good job for us."
That environment, at least for Matt Schmalz, is a big change from what he has experienced in recent years in the OHL.
The Kings selected the big forward in the 5th round of the 2015 NHL entry draft from the Sudbury Wolves. If you looked at his junior stats you aren't going to find much to get excited about.
In those final two seasons, Schmalz registered a -57 and -56 respectively. I know what you are thinking, that's a lot of minuses. However, there must be some understanding of the situation. After making the 2013-14 postseason, Sudbury went into a rebuild. In the ensuing years the team won just 28 times out of 136 total games. These years were the prime years in which the 20-year old was playing in Sudbury. Despite his ugly numbers, it should be noted that Schmalz was a former OHL first round selection by the Kitchener Rangers back in 2012. Nevertheless, the struggles have seemed dominant in his most recent seasons.
Coach Stothers was definitely aware of his "Ugly" numbers, and when asked if he had brought it up with "Schmalzy" he said, "Well, I think you know me well enough that it had to come up. But we’ve made light of it."
Although we can surely debate the value (or lack thereof) of plus-minus some other time, Stots had some solid insight into Schmalz, the situation in Sudbury, and the impact it has on players.
"The poor kid, it was a tough situation, it’s a tough situation in Sudbury. The organization has been going through some hard times the last few years, and if you look at their team everybody had large minuses. So I don’t think it’s a real reflection on him or that he has no desire to play defense or be responsible. He’s just a victim of circumstance."
He also thought that being with Ontario, a team already clinched and hopeful for a long playoff run, would be excellent for the embattled forward.
"I think it’s actually refreshing for him to be here with us. It’s a clean slate. It’s a new start. We are an organization and a team that prides itself on play away from the puck, the responsibilities in your own end. So I think it’s a good opportunity for him to learn. I think that’s all he needs, is an opportunity to be in an environment where winning is expected, it is demanded, and we don’t settle for being okay, we don’t settle for being fine, we want to be the best."
Schmalz had similar things to say when asked post game about coming into the winning environment and what he is taking away from it.
"That’s why I’m here. I’m kind of here to pick their brains and figure out what I can take from them to be a pro just like these guys are. It is kind of like shadowing these big guys Mersch and Schultzy, pros like that, and see how they take care of their body and see how they compete every day and try and transition that to my game."
That compete, that day to day approach to the game is something that has made an impression already with the winger. When asked the classic questions about differences from the junior level to the AHL, Schmalz wasted no time bring up the individual attitude and work ethic of his new teammates.
"The difference for me is just the pace and the work ethic that guys got. Once they move the puck they don’t just keep gliding, they get open for you. It kind of makes the game a little easier for you because they are always in the right position. Just work ethic, work ethic everywhere. In the gym, outside of the arena, before games, post games, taking care of our bodies. It’s a real professional place to play."
That professionalism is something the Reign and the Kings are hoping will rub off on him.
When interviewing him it is hard not to be somewhat enamored with his jovial attitude. Standing a head taller than almost everyone, with bright red hair, Schmalz is surprisingly noticeable for his personality. It is that personality that got a few chuckles from at least thisinterviewer, and has also caught the eye of the Reign coaching staff.
"He’s a good kid. If you have had a chance to talk to him, he’s a real real good person. (Reporter: I have, good interview, amicable guy) He really is. And that’s just going to help him get better. He wants to learn. He wants to get better."
Stothers also didn't hesitate to bring in the reality that there is still a lot of work to do with the big winger.
"He’s a project. There is a long way to go. But I think because of his personality it’s worth it. He has made that impression with us as a coaching staff. Already. It’s fun to work with him, that goes a long way."
When you watch him play, it is hard not to be reminded of fellow big men Justin Auger and Mike Mersch. Although much more fluid of a skater than the aforementioned players, the possession game, use of his size, and halfwall battles are all things that will be paramount in his game. Like a good student of the game, the Dunnville, Ontario native has taken note already.
"Yea Merschy, he’s one of the only guys here right now that I know has been up with the pros and back down. And also a guy like Justin Auger. He’s the same body type as me, same type of player as I am, and that’s what I got to do just pick his brain and figure out how he is having such a successful year and, like I said, just bring that to my game."
He also realizes that the adjusting to the speed of the game and becoming more aware is going to be big for him moving forward.
"Yea just getting my head up and getting my feet moving quickly [are things to work on]. Like I said the pace is really fast up here. So just making plays like that makes things so much easier when you get the puck and you are able to get your head up right away and skate. The first three steps are huge. Once you get those first three steps, hopefully you can see the open ice, hit the open ice, and make a play."
Of course, Mike Stothers offered a more detailed analysis of where he can improve on the ice.
"Same as all the kids out of junior. He has got to get in shape to play a full 60 minutes at this pace. His play away from the puck, obviously, his positioning. It’s just the little details of the game. Those are usually not harped upon as much in juniors. So he has just got to learn to be a pro. And I think we’ve already seen some improvement out of him. "
Improvement is the name of the game.
While Schmalz's AHL life has been short lived so far, and he still has eligibility to be returned to juniors for an overage season next season, you may very well see him with the Ontario Reign full time in 2016-17. Regardless of where he ends up, the enjoyable young forward has seemed to make the most out of his time this year. While he may not have imagined getting into any games this season, for various reasons he has, and has not looked too bad when called upon.
"I think they just want me to compete. They like how I compete off the ice. They keep saying, ‘Even though you are not in tonight, just keep working, keep working.’ And if I get a chance I’ll take advantage of it."
If he keeps it up he may even be able to find some fulltime housemates soon. Although his current living situation with Joel Lowry on the road, and Sam Herr at home seems to be to his liking. Or, at the least, one part of it does. With a laugh, Schmalz stated, "I can’t complain with any of those guys, they are both school guys so they keep their side of the room pretty nice and neat. It’s good."
He has made a good impression so far, and the Reign have probably made an impression on him in their own way. With a grin, Stothers quipped,
"We’ve welcomed him in and made his life as miserable as possible in a fun way. That’s how we operate."
For other Kings Prospect features from the Ontario Reign check out the following:
Catching up on Development with Kings Prospect Nic Dowd
Kings Prospect Kurtis MacDermid: Under the Radar and In Your Face
Nick Ebert Trying to Find Consistency While Traversing the Learning Curve
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