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Former Tiger Helm Evolved into One of Red Wings' Best Forwards

April 27, 2015 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Medicine Hat Tigers News Release


Darren Helm remembers the first time that he saw his name next to that of Detroit Red Wings superstar Pavel Datsyuk.

"Quite a bit of shock, disbelief," Helm said Tuesday. Helm drew an early penalty on Lightning superstar Steven Stamkos during the evening's game against Tampa Bay at Joe Louis Arena, helping the Wings to a 3-0 victory and a 2-1 series lead.

Helm played nearly 20 minutes in the game, and was credited with seven hits.

Helm's work ethic is one of the reasons the coaching staff saw him as a good fit for Datsyuk, even as the assignment rattled Helm.

"I was pretty nervous the first few games," Helm continued. "It took me a little while to get over that. As soon as I realized that it was a spot I was going to stay in for a bit, I was able to play my game, work hard and adapt a little bit."

Helm entered Game 3 with two assists, heralded by coach Mike Babcock as "one of our best forwards in this series by a long shot."

At 28, Helm already has topped 70 career NHL playoff games because he started his springtime success back in 2008, coming in pretty much cold from the minors to serve a pivotal role.

"He helped us win the Cup," Babcock said. "We didn't have a fourth line, brought him up, and he gave us four lines with good pace. He's hard to play against, is a penalty killer. They used to call him, as kid, 'Danger,' because he was dangerous to everybody, us and them, he was flying around so fast.

"He just settled down. The game slows down for you ... and that's what he's done. He gives Datsyuk pace. He's at the net. He's on the puck."

Helm left Tampa Bay with two assists, looking especially skilled when setting up Datsyuk on a power play. Holding on to the puck for that extra second stems from confidence Helm has gained as he has matured.

"You realize you have more time, so you figure out situations and you try to do what you can with the puck in the time that you have," Helm said. "When you have success, your confidence grows, and that's kind of how my game has been progressing throughout the year."

Helm is coming off of a season satisfying on many levels: He largely has been healthy after three years of various miseries. He had a career-high 15 goals and 33 points. He welcomed a second daughter, Rylee, in March.

All this from a guy still giddy from the memory of the first time he saw his and Datsyuk's numbers side-by-side. "I never thought that would happen," Helm said. "I'm fortunate to be playing with a player of his caliber. I just want to do what I can to be successful."

Helm wouldn't be a top-six forward if he didn't warrant it. There's that speed Babcock referenced, and which fellow forward Tomas Tatar seconded to the extent that he doesn't see any teammate being but a distant, distant second to Helm in a race. "He brings huge speed for us," Tatar said. "He's good on forecheck. He creates lots of space for Pav, for sure. Those two together are really dangerous, and I'm trying to help them as much as I can -- pass the puck to Pav and try to shoot it when I get a chance."

Helm's evolution from fourth line to third, from center to wing, from penalty killer to also power player, stems from never getting ahead of himself, no matter whose line he is on. "Not getting out of what I do best," he said, "Just because I'm beside (Datsyuk) doesn't mean I'm a skilled player all of a sudden, that I can handle the puck and make unbelievable plays. My skill is working hard and using my speed. It's nice to score, but I just play hard at what I do."

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