Smallwood set for big role

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This article was published 21/09/2021 (1477 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s pre-season in the WHL, a time for chemistry experiments.

And so, when Winnipeg Ice head coach James Patrick considered the wealth of options he had going in to the 2021-22 season, one of main items on his to-do list was determining how to deploy his two young stud forwards — Matt Savoie and Conor Geekie.

Savoie and Geekie, both 17, were chosen 1-2 at the top of the 2019 WHL Draft and their talent is immense. Charting the best way to develop that skill is up to Patrick and, under current thinking, he’s planning to use them to drive the club’s offence by centring the Ice’s two top lines.

Winnipeg’s lineup sheet would have the speedy Savoie in the middle with veteran left-winger Owen Pederson and, once he returns from the training camp of the Philadelphia Flyers, all-star right-winger Connor McClennon. You can argue Savoie’s line is a 1A and putting Geekie between left-winger Mikey Milne and right-winger Jakin Smallwood qualifies as a 1B.

“I wouldn’t say anything was written in stone but I know Jakin can play centre, (Pederson) can play centre and obviously Cole Muir is a centre,” said Patrick Monday. “I felt it gave me options. I mean, I until you see them on the ice, I wasn’t sure whether I’d have Jakin start at centre maybe and just go from there. I just think with what Matt and Connor have showed, I’m ready to put them at centre in those groups.”

While Savoie and Geekie have reputations built on offensive prowess, their defensive credentials are still unproven. Smallwood is confident his trio brings a complementary mix of talent.

“I think we’re a perfect match for each other,” said Smallwood, whose team will wrap up the pre-season with a game in Brandon Thursday night and hosting the Wheat Kings Saturday at the Rink Training Centre. “Geeks, you know, he’s got a heavy shot and I think we can rely on him for that and me and Mikey have some speed. So, I think between the speed and the size and heavy shot, I think we can be in a line that can produce offensively and also be good on the defensive side.”

Based on their stints in the Regina hub last spring, Milne and Smallwood are due for big offensive years.

Smallwood had 13 goals and 22 points in 24 games while Milne, a 19-year-old, had a late return after recovering from off-season shoulder surgery to score six goals and 12 points in 14 games.

Both are scrappy players who thrive when playing at a high tempo and seem to be blending well in practice with Geekie, who sometimes resembles a young Keith Primeau when he throws around his 6-4, 205-pound frame.

Patrick is content to allow Geekie and Savoie to learn on the job.

“My concern is they’re going to play against 19- and 20-year-olds the whole year,” said Patrick. “But they’re playing with linemates who are 19-year-olds and in the case of Jakin, a 20-year-old. So we’ve got age on the wings and I think with what they showed last year… I think they’re extremely talented for their age and I think they can play against older players.”

Smallwood forecasts a huge year for Geekie.

“He had a big summer,” said Smallwood. “He’s gone bigger, he’s gotten stronger and I think that’s good for him because with a big body like that — he’s got agility and he’s got a heavy shot — I think a player like that can go a really long way.”

In spring, Patrick used Smallwood on the power play and as a second-unit penalty killer. He is no longer just a support player.

“He’s just an extremely hard working competitive guy who he never takes a rep off in practice, he never takes a shift off in the game,” said Patrick. “That’s how he’s played since we’ve had him…

“I have the belief that he’s going to be a real good player for us. The difference this year, maybe even from the spring, is that with our depth we’re going to have to balance the ice time a little more. But I expect Jakin to play a real big role for us.”

The undrafted Smallwood is planning to be an important part of the team, no matter how he is used.

“I obviously set goals for myself but I’m not going to put pressure on myself too much,” said Smallwood. “I did have a good season last year and I just hoped to build on that.”

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @sawa14