PigOut
01-23-2009, 06:47 AM
Rockford Newspaper -
http://www.rrstar.com/sports/pros/x1708114665/Brophey-matches-rookie-year-s-output-in-half-the-time
BROPHEY MATCHES ROOKIE YEAR'S OUTPUT IN HALF THE TIME
Reed Schreck-RRSTAR.COM
Posted Jan 22, 2009
ROCKFORD — Whichever direction Evan Brophey has looked when he’s been on the ice, the view has been good.
He’s either seen Pascal Pelletier or Jack Skille, before Skille’s recent injury.
They just happen to be the Rockford IceHogs’ top two goal-scorers this season.
“I’m playing with great players,” he said.
He’s not just along for the ride. Brophey has earned the right to play on one of the team’s top two lines based on his improvement from his first season last year.
Brophey is sixth on the team in scoring with 22 points — nine goals, 13 assists. In 74 games last year, his final numbers were four goals, 15 assists and 19 points, which he duplicated in 37 games this season, or half the time.
“I’m feeling good, and I can’t complain about my ice time, either,” he said. “Right now, everything seems to be clicking. I’m getting a lot of ice time and on the power play, so I’m just trying to do the best I can with the opportunity.”
That’s what coach Bill Peters sees when he’s watching No. 7 in action.
“He’s a second-year player and he’s taken a step that is expected out of all our guys,” he said.
“Going into year three, he’s expected to take another step. He’s a responsible player who can play in a shutdown role defensively or generate offense. He’s having a good year.”
One of the best things about his second season is that Brophey doesn’t have to wonder whether he’ll suit up on game days. It helps his cause that Troy Brouwer, Kris Versteeg, Dave Bolland and Martin St. Pierre are not around from last year’s deep squad.
Brophey “was a healthy scratch a few games last year, but he’s really turned the corner and got a chance to play with Pelletier and Timmy (Brent) before Brent got hurt,” said assistant coach Ted Dent, who was with Rockford last season. “It’s a little reward for him as he’s been playing well in the checking role.
“His confidence has really improved. He’s playing assertive and driving the net hard. He knows the league and the division better and some of the players. Last year was his first year pro, and it took some time.”
Time well spent.
“It helps a lot to have the first year out of the way,” Brophey said. “It was a good learning experience, and I take it as that. I just want to improve on every area of my game point-wise, offense and defense. I need to try and get more shots on net; I didn’t have that many last year.”
His goals and assists are up. So, too, is his plus/minus, which reflects how many are scored for or against his team when he’s on the ice aside from power plays. Brophey was minus-9 last season and is plus-13 this year.
“I really wanted to work on that and be a better defensive forward,” Brophey said.
http://www.rrstar.com/sports/pros/x1708114665/Brophey-matches-rookie-year-s-output-in-half-the-time
BROPHEY MATCHES ROOKIE YEAR'S OUTPUT IN HALF THE TIME
Reed Schreck-RRSTAR.COM
Posted Jan 22, 2009
ROCKFORD — Whichever direction Evan Brophey has looked when he’s been on the ice, the view has been good.
He’s either seen Pascal Pelletier or Jack Skille, before Skille’s recent injury.
They just happen to be the Rockford IceHogs’ top two goal-scorers this season.
“I’m playing with great players,” he said.
He’s not just along for the ride. Brophey has earned the right to play on one of the team’s top two lines based on his improvement from his first season last year.
Brophey is sixth on the team in scoring with 22 points — nine goals, 13 assists. In 74 games last year, his final numbers were four goals, 15 assists and 19 points, which he duplicated in 37 games this season, or half the time.
“I’m feeling good, and I can’t complain about my ice time, either,” he said. “Right now, everything seems to be clicking. I’m getting a lot of ice time and on the power play, so I’m just trying to do the best I can with the opportunity.”
That’s what coach Bill Peters sees when he’s watching No. 7 in action.
“He’s a second-year player and he’s taken a step that is expected out of all our guys,” he said.
“Going into year three, he’s expected to take another step. He’s a responsible player who can play in a shutdown role defensively or generate offense. He’s having a good year.”
One of the best things about his second season is that Brophey doesn’t have to wonder whether he’ll suit up on game days. It helps his cause that Troy Brouwer, Kris Versteeg, Dave Bolland and Martin St. Pierre are not around from last year’s deep squad.
Brophey “was a healthy scratch a few games last year, but he’s really turned the corner and got a chance to play with Pelletier and Timmy (Brent) before Brent got hurt,” said assistant coach Ted Dent, who was with Rockford last season. “It’s a little reward for him as he’s been playing well in the checking role.
“His confidence has really improved. He’s playing assertive and driving the net hard. He knows the league and the division better and some of the players. Last year was his first year pro, and it took some time.”
Time well spent.
“It helps a lot to have the first year out of the way,” Brophey said. “It was a good learning experience, and I take it as that. I just want to improve on every area of my game point-wise, offense and defense. I need to try and get more shots on net; I didn’t have that many last year.”
His goals and assists are up. So, too, is his plus/minus, which reflects how many are scored for or against his team when he’s on the ice aside from power plays. Brophey was minus-9 last season and is plus-13 this year.
“I really wanted to work on that and be a better defensive forward,” Brophey said.