Kid’s got game, brother

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This article was published 23/04/2009 (6021 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

SELKIRK — Nolan Zajac has never been one to blend in with the pack.

As the youngest of the four hockey-playing sons of Trish and Tom Zajac of Winnipeg, it could have been easy to do.

At 16, the youngest Zajac has followed his brothers in spirit, drive and love of the game. But he’s made his own way on the ice and has been continuing down that path this week at the 2009 Telus Cup national AAA midget hockey championship in Selkirk.

He’s a second-year defenceman with host Winnipeg Thrashers, last year’s national silver medallists, and was the tournament’s leading scorer heading into the third day, with two goals and five assists in two games. He added a pair of goals in his team’s 6-5 win over Calgary Wednesday night.

Nolan is the only defenceman in the Zajac clan. His three brothers are forwards. Travis, 23, is having a breakout season with the National Hockey League’s New Jersey Devils, Darcy, 22, is in his junior year with the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux, and Kelly, 20, is a freshman with Union College Dutchmen.

Nolan is also the only one of the four to play in the national midget championship and he’s here for a second time.

“It is something they didn’t get to do. And twice, so it’s pretty nice,” Nolan said. “I see what they’re doing and I think it’s pretty cool, so I want to follow them, but I want to set my own path and be my own person.

“My brothers and my parents have always been great, supported me in everything I’ve done. All of us (brothers), we all watch and follow each other, so that keeps us close when everybody is spread out like this.”

Tom said his youngest son’s competitive drive appeared naturally as Nolan strived, as a little guy, to keep up with his big brothers.

“He’s learned to fight for himself and handle himself. Being the youngest, he was probably picked on the most, but he always competed hard with his brothers,” Tom said.

“Whatever it was, a street-hockey game or an Xbox game, Nolan wanted to win. He’d get upset if he didn’t and it was a real competition. Seeing his brothers be successful, I think that’s pushed Nolan a bit. He’s really come into his own as a hockey player and we’re all proud of him.

“I was just talking to Travis about an hour ago and he is just really enthusiastic about how Nolan and the Thrashers are doing and that they’re having this chance at the national level, and the other two brothers, Darcy and Kelly, have said the same thing.”

The family has lived in the same Garden City-area home, all four boys played their minor hockey in the area and all attended West Kildonan Collegiate, where Nolan is now a Grade 11 student. After years in a full house, Nolan is the only one at home now and scored the bonus of having his own room with roommate/brother Kelly away for school.

“I love being in a big family,” Nolan said. “It’s always a lot of fun. There’s always something to do around the house, always something going on. I always got all the things I needed, hand-me-down stuff or whatever.”

Tom said the story of why Nolan is a defenceman started out as everyone would expect. As the youngest brother, he had his share of pucks fired at him. The twist was that he wanted to be a goalie at first.

“He’s watched all his brothers scoring goals, so being a goaltender, I don’t think he would have lasted very long. If you’re not a goalie, being a defenceman is as close to stopping pucks as you can be,” Tom said.

“He took to it that way, but he’s been more offensive as a defenceman, so I think he likes the idea of doing both (blocking shots and scoring).”

Thrashers head coach Kevin Benson said Nolan has been an important team leader this season on and off the ice. “He just might be our MVP this year, he’s been that important to our team,” Benson said. “He’s the straw that stirs the drink for us defensively and on our power play.”

Nolan is the same as his brothers in one area: No Western Hockey League team has his playing rights, as he was not selected in the WHL’s bantam draft. None of the Zajac brothers was picked in the league’s annual selection of 14-year-olds.

ashley.prest@freepress.mb.ca

Telus Cup Day 3

WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS

Central (Hamilton Reps) 2 Quebec (Rousseau Sports de Laval Bourassa) 2

West (Notre Dame Hounds) 11 Atlantic (Moncton Flyers) 3

Host (Winnipeg Thrashers) 6 Pacific (Calgary Buffaloes) 5

The Thrashers locked up a playoff berth and remained unbeaten with the come-from-behind win. The Thrashers led 2-1 after the first period on Nolan Zajac’s breakaway marker and a power-play marker by Michael Hay. The talented Calgary team stormed out in the second period pumping in three goals in seven minutes including one on the power play to lead 4-2. With 3:47 left in the period, Cam Hildebrand brought the Thrashers within one heading into the final frame. It was a different story in the third as it was the Thrashers scoring three straight as Zajac, Hay and Hildebrand each scored their second goals of the game

“We came in (to the third period) pretty positive, we knew that we were controlling the game outworking them so we stepped on that ice in the third period, kept it going and was able to get the two points,” Hildebrand said. “Our goal at the start of tournament was to make the playoffs and three wins would do it so getting that third win in our third game was awesome, we’ve got to keep it going.”

TODAY’S SCHEDULE

11 a.m. Atlantic (Moncton Flyers) vs. Central (Hamilton Reps)

4 p.m. Pacific (Calgary Buffaloes) vs. Quebec (Rousseau Sports de Laval Bourassa)

7:30 p.m. Host (Winnipeg Thrashers) vs. West (Notre Dame Hounds)