Chisholm thrown into the fray

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This article was published 26/01/2021 (1775 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Declan Chisholm has built his hockey reputation on the strength of a slick collection of offensive skills.

But during the opening two days of Manitoba Moose training camp, his task has been more mundane. He’s been taking a crash course in defending at the AHL level since he’s expected to make his rookie debut with the Moose in less than 10 days.

“I think that offensive game’s always going to be there but the main component… we’re working on is a lot of defensive things, a lot of angling, a lot of gapping up, closing in on guys but that all translates into creating offence,” said the 21-year-old from Bowmanville, Ont., following Tuesday’s practice at Bell MTS Iceplex.

“The quicker you can take the puck off the other team, the quicker you can get on offence and we’re really working on doing that and then jumping up in the play. They always want us jumping up in the rush… We really kill plays quick and then get up quick.”

Chisholm’s transition game was on display during his final season of junior with the Peterborough Petes when he finished third among OHL blue-liners with 69 points, including 13 goals, in 59 games.

In the AHL, he understands his job becomes more difficult.

“It’s definitely a big job — guys are faster, stronger — but I think my style of game (works) — the smooth-skating defenceman who can move the puck well, jump up on the play and be relied on the D-zone also,” said the 6-1, 193-pounder. “I’m looking to kill plays, gap up on guys and just be a smart all-around player out there.”

Moose head coach Pascal Vincent expected to see a transformed player when he arrived at Winnipeg Jets training camp earlier this month and Chisholm delivered.

“He’s a year older and it makes a difference, sometimes just one year and you can tell he goes from a junior player to a guy that is closer to playing at the pro leveI… We know he’s got skills and he can move the puck and he’s got quick feet, very agile, changing of directions on the ice and being able to elude forecheckers when he first touches the puck.” said Vincent.

“So we knew that but now his (defensive) stick is a little bit better, he’s a little bit stronger and he’s able to contain players 1-on-1. I see a guy that took this summer really seriously to train.”

In a non-pandemic year, Chisholm might expect to be worked into the Moose lineup gradually. Now, all bets are off with the parent Jets carrying players on their taxi squad, giving more opportunity for playing time for those on the AHL roster.

The Moose started training camp on Monday with 15 players, including five defencemen. Those numbers will be bolstered in the coming days but Vincent isn’t shy about throwing the rookies into the fray.

“It would be a bigger problem if some players or some teams had played but we’re all facing the same problems,” said Vincent. “Nobody has played. There’s going to be young players… on other teams as well, so I’m not too concerned about it.

“And, frankly, I think having 10 to 12 players on the ice right now is helping the Chisholms and the young players because we can almost private coach those guys.”

HE SAID IT: Second-year defenceman Johnathan Kovacevic admitted he isn’t much of a gamer but he might change that to offset the lack of camaraderie required by health restrictions. Moose players are sequestered in their hotel rooms when they’re off the ice.

“I might have to buy a system because I know some other guys and they probably game with their friends back home,” said Kovacevic, 23. “But if we can get a little Moose thing going on that might be the best way to do it. I’m just trying to think of a way we can have fun… outside the rink.”

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @sawa14