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AHL Utica Comets

Comet Tales: Behind Enemy Lines with Jon DiSalvatore

January 31, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Utica Comets News Release


Back in December, when Syracuse Crunch General Manager Julien BriseBois signed left wing Jon DiSalvatore, the organization knew exactly what they were getting.

As a leader and and now a veteran of seeing ice time in 11 AHL seasons, DiSalvatore's career numbers did all the introductions necessary to his new teammates. When trying on a Crunch jersey for the first time, DiSalvatore, originally from Bangor, Maine but raised in Connecticut, already saw action in 746 regular season contests, 51 Calder Cup Playoff games, had scored 540 points, and had played six games for the St. Louis Blues and Minnesota Wild.

The Crunch, currently in fifth place of the Eastern Conference's East Divison, was viewed as a good fit for DiSalvatore at this point of his career. Earlier this season, skating as a member of EHC Red Bull Munich of Germany's Ice Hockey League (DEL) and a teammate of Clinton native Nick Palmieri, DiSalvatore had planned for a full schedule playing in Europe.

"It was a little different this year than in the past. My family came with me to Germany," DiSalvatore said during our conversation earlier this week. "I am taking things day by day. I'm fortunate never to have been traded. We were comfortable in Munich and loved the environment."

Having his children get to experience a different culture in Germany than what is their normal routine in South Winsor, CT (DiSalvatore's home in the off-season), was especially enticing for Jon and his wife.  However, a move back to stateside would come by mid-season of the DEL. "I got a late start to the season because of the wrist surgery I had," says DiSalvatore, 32. "I couldn't get a good feel of the direction, as far as the coaches went. I knew, for me, it would be better for my career to leave. I wanted to be in a place that wanted me. I wasn't being used, and I'm not sure why."

DiSalvatore, who while with the Houston Aeros in 2011 saw action against the Binghamton Senators in the Calder Finals (Senators won the Cup), tells of having spent quite a bit of time with Palmieri while in Germany. Both played for the Aeros during the 2011-12 season.

As for what brought DiSalvatore to calling the Onondaga County War Memorial home this AHL campaign specifically, he lends his opinions. "It's probably a combination of leadership and experience. I'm with a tremendous group of guys now. They (Crunch) were probably looking for a little extra offense due to injuries and call- ups," the Providence College product explains.

There's a calmness about DiSalvatore as he speaks of settling in Central New York away from the rink, coming right off the plane. Jon, surely like all his teammates, "obviously wants a better record". The transition to playing for the Crunch has been a good one. This is something, even after beginning his eleventh AHL campaign, was something that DiSalvatore tells of really wanting and needing.

Physically, DiSalvatore is in as good as shape as anytime in his playing days. Last weekend was one in which the 6'1"" 198lb. left wing labels extremely physically demanding. Syracuse had three games in as many days; a home and home series with the Hershey Bears, and finishing up last Sunday in Bridgeport against the Sound Tigers. " Three-in-three (games in as many days) creates a sense of urgency. It (the AHL schedule) is a grind but you have to find ways to prepare yourself for those three-in-three and three-in-four dates," says DiSalvatore.

As for remembering, with Houston getting so close to capturing the Calder Cup, that championship series with Binghamton remains fresh in DiSalvatore's memory. "I won't get over it until I win it (Calder Cup)," DiSalvatore confesses. "It's an amazing accomplishment that I desperately want. If the Calder is my Stanley Cup, I want to get back to the finals. I have a sour taste in my mouth after losing to Binghamton."

According to DiSalvatore, his total concentration is on the here and now, with the Syracuse Crunch. He recalls of having but a few multiple year contracts in his entire career. Focusing in on the group he's sharing a uniform with in Syracuse, DiSalvatore most certainly believes they can get to the playoffs, and go deep into the post-season.

Optimism runs long and deep in DiSalvatore, as a player and a fan. Growing up 10 minutes away from the Hartford Civic Center, rooting for the then NHL Whalers, was DiSalvatore's opportunity to see the league's top teams. "I still have all my Whalers' paraphernalia taped up in my house (in CT)," reveals DiSalvatore.

Skate, score, lead, instruct, having Jon DiSalvatore on a shift equals that of a well-experienced coach guiding his teammates into a successful direction.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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