Andrew Ladd honed his leadership skills during a chaotic season as captain of the Jets

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This article was published 06/05/2015 (3808 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Andrew LADD has come to understand this about being the captain of the Winnipeg Jets, particularly in a market that is absolutely bonkers for its squad and the NHL:

When things are cruising along it’s an easy gig to be sporting the ‘C.’ But it’s when the turbulence hits that a guy learns a lot about himself and leadership. And despite the Jets securing a playoff spot for the first time in their rebirth in Winnipeg this past season, it was hardly a year free of controversy and nasty dips and climbs, from the rash of injuries that hit the club on a few occasions through the Evander Kane/track suit saga that led to the blockbuster trade with the Buffalo Sabres.

“It was probably the most challenging regular season I’ve ever been through with adversity and the things the team went though,” said Ladd, speaking on a media conference call about his nomination for the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award. “A lot of how we dealt with that started with (coach) Paul (Maurice) and what he brings to the table. And then between me, Stuie (Mark Stuart) and Wheels (Blake Wheeler) and some of the other guys, we really tried to relay the message and keep the group upbeat and positive about the things we could do if we played the right way.

“We learned how to deal with those things in the right way. We learned how to keep our group upbeat and that was probably the biggest thing. In the past I think you have a tendency when things go wrong you want to get mad and fix them. It’s tough to stay positive and upbeat, but the best way is for everybody to stay on the same page and move in the right direction.

“I thought we made a good step in doing that throughout the year with whatever came our way.”

The NHL announced Monday the three finalists for the Messier Award — presented annually to the player who “exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team, on and off the ice” — and the Jets captain joins two former teammates as the nominees: Ryan Getzlaf of the Anaheim Ducks, whom Ladd played with in junior with the Calgary Hitmen, and Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews.

“It means a lot for different reasons,” said Ladd. “The two guys I’m nominated with I’ve played with and realized what they mean to their teams and to their communities and I know what they do on a daily basis as leaders. So, to be mentioned in the same group as them is quite an honour. And with Mark Messier having a hand in choosing the nominations it’s pretty special, too.”

Ladd got a good look at what NHL leadership looks like the very moment he first stepped into an NHL dressing room, back in 2005 with the Carolina Hurricanes. That squad included vets such as Ray Whitney, Rod Brind’Amour, Glen Wesley, Mark Recchi and Doug Weight.

Still, his value system and the foundation for his leadership was established at home. Ladd’s parents decided years ago to foster two men with special needs — they still live with his mother — and he grew up with them as part of the family. He also has an uncle who grew up with Down syndrome who was big in Special Olympics.

“It’s just been a big part of my life,” said Ladd of his heavy involvement with Special Olympics. “It’s close to my heart and it’s something I wanted to get involved with and when I got to Manitoba it was pretty easy to get involved and they’ve been great with allowing me to do a bunch of different things with them. I just think it’s such a great program and it gives people with special needs and outlet.”

The Messier Award winner will be announced on June 24 during the 2015 NHL Awards in Las Vegas.

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @WFPEdTait