Michal Jordan a Steady Influence on the Blue Line

Published on October 29, 2008 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Plymouth Whalers News Release


Leadership on a hockey team can come in two very different forms. There are leaders who express themselves very vocally and assume a take-charge role by the force of their words and personality. Then, there are the quieter leaders who prefer to let the example of their work and high level of play do their talking.

The Plymouth Whalers coaching staff took a slight gamble prior to this season when they tabbed Michal Jordan, a second-year defenseman from Zlin, Czech Republic, as an alternate captain for the 2008-09 season. Not only is Jordan only in his second campaign as a Whaler, but it's rare that an import player is honored with such a leadership role.

The 6-1, 181 pound blueliner has more than met their expectations with his performance both on and off the ice, leading by his example and skilled play.

"Obviously, he's one of our better players," said Whaler Head Coach Greg Stefan of Jordan. "He's an outstanding young man and one of the harder-working guys on our team. Just saying that, that's a leader to me. It doesn't necessarily mean that you have to have great English, but he has also improved his language skills to where he speaks very well.

'You lead by example," continued Stefan. "Some of the best leaders I've played with, from Stevie Yzerman to Rod Brind'Amour, didn't say much, but were the hardest working players on the team. When they did have to say something, it wasn't much, but it got through. Michal is one of our best players, so I thought it would be good to get him involved in a leadership role."

Although he is an alternate captain, Jordan only wears the 'A' during a game when captain Chris Terry or alternate captains Joe Gaynor, Kaine Geldart, and AJ Jenks are out of the line-up. Stefan considers Jordan as an acting captain, especially with the defensemen.

Jordan has lived up to his part of the bargain on the ice. The smooth skating defender gives the Whalers quality minutes in all three zones of the ice and consistently logs time on both specialty teams, the penalty kill and the power play.

Following his acquisition from the Windsor Spitfires on November 13, 2007, Jordan posted a quality offensive stat line of six goals and 22 assists between the two clubs in his rookie season. He was also named to the Czech Republic's World Junior Team as one of the Under-20 tournament's youngest players at just 17 years old. He followed that up by winning a gold medal and being named the best defenseman in the World Under-18 Championships - Division 1A in April.

He's jumped off to quick start this season, bagging two goals and six assists over his first 11 games while maintaining a +8 plus/minus rating.

"The first season I came here and it was a different language, different people and a different style of hockey," said Jordan of the initial adjustment to life in North America. "I kind of looked around and asked myself, 'What's going on here?' In the second year, I know better the different style of hockey here and I want to play that style the best that I can and help the team win.

"It's a very nice feeling," said Jordan of the honor of being named an alternate captain, "but we have a lot of great guys, a lot of talented guys on the team. I appreciate it. I just try the best that I can. I don't talk a lot in the locker room, but I want to show the guys with my play on the ice. Every time someone comes to me, I just try to help in any way I can."

Jordan's teammates certainly appreciate his demeanor and level of play.

"Last year, he learned the language and he speaks it fluently this year," said Terry. "Obviously, his play is definitely part of his leadership. He's a great player back there - very poised, very calm. I think the other defensemen feed off that. He might not be a guy that screams and yells, but he leads by example."

The NHL's Carolina Hurricanes took notice last summer, too, when it came time to make their fourth round choice in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, snapping up Jordan with their selection.

"I was really excited," said Jordan of being selected by Carolina. "I was at home watching the draft with my family online. I was very glad. I worked very hard the last year toward this goal, so I was very excited when it happened. I didn't know who was going to draft me, but Coach Stefan told me Carolina was watching me and that they liked me."

No doubt, the leadership skills Jordan will develop with the Whalers due to his alternate captaincy will supplement his physical skills to make him an even more attractive commodity for the Hurricanes in the not-too-distant future.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from October 29, 2008


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