Junior defenseman to play a bigger role in 2010-11
By LINDA BOUVET, LSSU Sports Information Director
With plenty of fire power returning to the lineup, junior defenseman Kyle Haines is confident that the Lake Superior State hockey team can score goals in 2010-11. He hopes to contribute to the Lakers’ scoring when he can, but focuses on protecting his team’s defensive zone.
“I won’t go out of my way to try to score more goals,” said Haines, who will play a bigger role this year following the graduation of standout defensemen and scoring threats Simon Gysbers and Steven Kaunisto. “I won’t take more risks. I’ll go about it the smart way.”
Gysbers and Kaunisto combined to score 10 goals last season, and both finished with 15 points.
“It will take a group effort (to replace them),” Haines said. “I don’t know if my game will change too much. I may be more involved in the play, and I’ll jump in when the time is right.”
Four of LSSU’s top five scorers return, and they are all forwards.
“Looking at the forwards…we are capable of scoring a lot of goals,” Haines said. “Our defense is good enough to keep goals down. Less than two a game is my goal, but that’s easier said than done.”
Senior Chad Nehring is one of the Lakers’ top-returning scorers. Nehring and Haines grew up near each other in Saskatchewan. They played one season of summer hockey together and were teammates, along with senior Tyson Hobbins, on Team Canada West.
Nehring noted that injuries slowed Haines a bit during the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons, but his teammate has the determination and stick-to-itiveness that can lead to a breakout season.
“We were working on the power play on our own the other day,” Nehring said. “He was running one unit. He has an offensive side to him. As a junior we need him to step up and have a big year.”
“We have eight defensemen right now,” Haines said. “It’s real competitive out there for spots. That motivates everyone to be on their game every day…I’m focusing on making a good first pass so the forwards are able to get up the ice and do their thing. I want to have a quick shot on net. I’m not worried about some big slap shot. I just want a low, hard shot for a rebound and to score some ugly goals.”
Haines can’t believe how quickly time has passed during a college hockey career that requires four hours a day at the rink, long road trips and a demanding academic schedule.
“I’m not complaining,” he said. “It’s a pretty good life. I’ve been given good opportunity by coach to step in and be regular player. A couple injuries the last couple years set me back a few games. But I’ve gained lot of experience and become a better player the last two years. And I’ve seen some really cool things along the way. I learned lot of from Coach, as well as the other guys I’ve played with.”
Haines expressed gratitude to his parents, Gordon and Dawn, and to his legendary junior coach, Dwight McMillan, the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League Hall of Famer who has been with the Weyburn Red Wings since 1972. Haines was the SJHL Defenseman of the Year runner-up in 2007-08.
“He vouched for me and really liked what I did,” Haines said. “I had a really good three years there, and Dwight got his 1,000th win that year…I saw him this summer. He’s the same old guy, and he’s had some really good teams.”
Haines grew up in the small down of Odessa, Sask. (population 250), then moved to Weyburn when he was 13 years old. Weyburn is a growing community, similar in size to Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.
“I’ve enjoyed it here,” Haines said. “All of the big schools with their stuff…Here it’s more like home. It’s smaller, and people recognize you. I know people around town. I’ve met a lot of really good guys, and we’ve had a lot of fun.”
