Seals' Defense "Geers" Back Up
Published on July 31, 2006 under SPHL (SPHL)
Florida Seals News Release
[CELEBRATION, Fla.] - Some young athletes take a number seasons for their games to mature. Others play like veterans after a very short time.
Count Florida Seals' defenseman Craig Geerlinks as one of the latter.
The Seals and Head Coach Tommy Stewart continued to work toward the upcoming season by announcing that they had come to terms with Geerlinks, bringing the third year pro blue liner back to the Silver Spurs Arena in October.
"He came into his own last year as a second year guy," Coach Stewart said of Geerlinks. "He was one of the final pieces to put together a strong defensive unit that we had last year. I think I'm still one horse away on the back end, but any time you can resign all your defensemen besides one, I think that's a great momentum booster for this coming season."
The St. Thomas, Ontario native who turns 26 just after the new season begins, began his pro career playing for Stewart and the Macon Trax in 2004-2005, putting up 11 points and 83 penalty minutes. Last season for the Seals, he had 9 points and 95 PIMs.
Over that two year period, Stewart has seen a vast improvement in Geerlink's skills.
"His foot speed has gotten tremendously better. He can start playing against the top lines," Stewart explained. "His passing is much, much better. That's what you look for in a defenseman - to make that first crisp pass up to your wing or center and he did a good job at that."
"Two years ago when I had him in Macon he played very sparingly. Last year, I truly believe, he was one of the better stay at home defensemen in the league," the coach continued. "He knows his role and he does it well. He doesn't go outside his limits. I think he's going to be a big part of our team this season."
In a phone interview from Ontario, Geerlinks agreed that his game has steadily improved.
"The more and more you get comfortable with playing, the better your game gets," he said. "I'm not there to score goals by any means. He's asked me to play a more defensive role within the team. Tommy's always stressed defensive zone first so that's why I try to better myself defensively and help the team in that aspect."
Stewart has also seen Geerlinks mature into a team leader through a strong work ethic that extends well off the ice.
"He leads by example off the ice. He goes to the gym on a daily basis. Guys like that want to better themselves," Stewart said. "Geersy is a guy who comes to work every day, works his butt off in practice and works his butt off in the gym. That's a great leader and he's going to be put into a leadership role because this is his third year."
Geerlinks says he is ready and more than willing to take on an expanded role.
"It's something that you want to step into. You want to be that leader for the new guys," he said. "Lead by example I guess as much as you can. That's a role that I'm more than willing to accept."
There were several factors that led Geerlinks to return, not the least of which was losing in the championship series.
"That was one of the main reasons why I wanted to come back. It's not a good feeling. You've got a feeling that there's something missing," he said. "There's that unfinished sort of business that we need to take care of for next year. Listening to Tommy and a few of the other guys that are going back, it looks like we're making strides in the right direction to hopefully get to that next step."
Like many of the other returning players, Geerlinks thoroughly enjoyed playing in Central Florida and wanted more. From the team to the fans, he felt the entire experience was fantastic.
"It was a great group of guys to play with last year and it sounds like we're going to have another good group of guys this year so that had a lot to do with it," he explained. "The fans were fantastic. Just the atmosphere itself was something that made me want to go back and experience it again."
"As far as Florida itself, there's nothing better I guess than not having to shovel snow," he added. "That's always a bonus."
**REMINDERS**
OPENING WEEKEND TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!! Call the Seals office to reserve your seats today!
The Florida Seals are asking the fans to white out the building on opening night, so remember this October 27th - "WEAR WHITE TO OPENING NIGHT!"
First National Bank of Osceola, Xerographic Digital Printing, Coggin Pontiac-GMC-Buick, Pin Promotions, Macaroni Grill and many other local businesses are teaming up with the Seals this upcoming season. For more information on how your company can benefit from a partnership with the Seals, please call the Seals office at 407-343-PUCK, email jbartels@floridaseals.com or check http://www.floridaseals.com/partners-opportunities.asp.
Florida Seals Full and Half Season Ticket Packages for the 2006-2007 season are on sale now. The Seals will look to build on their President's Cup Finals run next season. Be a part of the action with season tickets starting as low as $149 a seat. To reserve your seats email: tickets@floridaseals.com or call 407-343-PUCK and speak to a Seals Ticket Representative.
Make sure to check out www.floridaseals.com all summer long to keep up to date on what is going on with your Florida Seals.
SPHL Stories from July 31, 2006
- Cottonmouths find new home, new voice on radio for upcoming season - Columbus Cottonmouths
- Seals' Defense "Geers" Back Up - Florida Seals
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