Well . . . That worked.

Last year on the top line was a trial by fire for me.  Still putting up decent numbers, but a far cry from where my minds eye had me.  So coming into training camp and finding my name all the way down on the third line was a bit of a shot to the ego.  But being perennially selected in the 2nd round of drafts tends to lend a thick skin.  Also lifting the spirits, knowing that our leadership in Quebec city has never been at a loss for "strategery" and tactics.  

Centering our new line fellow S78 draftee, Dejana Kaptina.  Not just a "200 foot" player . . . a "200 by 85 foot" player.  "Complete" doesn't begin to describe their game. Knowing how poisonous the defensive zone is to me, it's great to have a player like Dejana to rely on in our own zone.

My wing partner, Gordon McFisherman.  Playing a left wing lock that would make Scotty Bowman proud, Gordon pressured the opposition and created turnovers that fueled our high powered offense.  Off the ice he kept true to his name and often whipped up a Black Cod with Miso or Salmon Wellington.

Then there's me, usually cherry picking at the opposing blue line . . . I mean, when you have defensive wunderkinds like this on your line, you gotta give your coach an alternative way to add to the growing assortment of greys!

As usual, the QCC brass' tactic paid off and each of us on this new line had career years and found ourselves scattered among the league leaders in multiple stats.  With Dejana even leading the league in +/-! (Passing me on the last day . . . )