Fritsch's shift to centre helps bolster Greyhounds' lineup
SAULT STE. MARIE - Whatever void the Soo Greyhounds may have at centre ice, Andrew Fritsch has been more than willing to fill.
Though he'd never played the position before, the 19-year-old has met the challenge head-on.
And so far, through five OHL games, the results have been encouraging.
A career right-winger, Fritsch has a pair of goals, a pair of assists and a plus-minus of 0, while showing himself to be a dependable defender.
He's given this club reliable play at a position that, to be honest, was a question mark heading into the season.
The team has been reluctant to push standout rookie Jared McCann into the No. 2 role behind Nick Cousins.
That's where Fritsch fits in.
The Brantford, Ont., native said he doesn't care where head coach Mike Stapleton uses him.
“I could be playing defence and I wouldn't care,” said Fritsch, who's helped the Hounds get off to a 4-1-0-0 start, heading into tonight's home clash with Kitchener. “I just want to do what's best for the team.”
The six-foot, 183-pounder says he feels as if he's more involved in the game when he plays centre.
Taking face-offs is a blast.
“When you win one, it feels really good,” he said.
Fritsch, who plays the point on the power play, also enjoys the added defensive responsibilities that go along with playing centre.
“You're supporting the puck all over the ice. You're supporting wingers in the corners and your defenceman,” said Fritsch, who scored 28 goals two seasons ago and 13, in an injury-riddled 2011-2012 season with the Greyhounds.
Stapleton tried winger Brandon Alderson in the middle during the preseason before deciding to employ Fritsch there.
“He's quick enough, he's smart enough and playing centre gives him a little more freedom on the ice,” said Stapleton, who's coaxed four, come-from-behind victories out of this year's club.
One of those wins came Wednesday, when the Soo rallied from 4-1 and 5-3 deficits to edge Saginaw 6-5 here.
Cousins scored the winner at 12:36 of the final frame, while playing on a line that included Fritsch on the right side and left-winger Michael Schumacher.
Stapleton shifted Fritsch onto that line in the third period and the move paid dividends.
And with Mark Petaccio turning in a strong performance at centre Wednesday, it wouldn't be surprising to see Stapleton keep Fritsch on the wing, playing alongside Schumacher and Cousins tonight.
Fritsch could wind up seeing time at both spots this season.
To me, depth up the middle is still iffy.
But Fritsch has certainly helped alleviate the problem.
And how do you argue with a 4-1 start?
-- While shots-on-goal allowed can be a deceiving statistic, it often speaks to defensive shortcomings.
Through five games, Hounds netminder Matt Murray has faced 200 shots. That's an average of 40 per game.
No OHL team has given up more.
While it's true Saginaw's approach was to throw everything it could at the Soo net Wednesday, over a full season, no team can be successful when its goalie is that busy.
Though he'd never played the position before, the 19-year-old has met the challenge head-on.
And so far, through five OHL games, the results have been encouraging.
A career right-winger, Fritsch has a pair of goals, a pair of assists and a plus-minus of 0, while showing himself to be a dependable defender.
He's given this club reliable play at a position that, to be honest, was a question mark heading into the season.
The team has been reluctant to push standout rookie Jared McCann into the No. 2 role behind Nick Cousins.
That's where Fritsch fits in.
The Brantford, Ont., native said he doesn't care where head coach Mike Stapleton uses him.
“I could be playing defence and I wouldn't care,” said Fritsch, who's helped the Hounds get off to a 4-1-0-0 start, heading into tonight's home clash with Kitchener. “I just want to do what's best for the team.”
The six-foot, 183-pounder says he feels as if he's more involved in the game when he plays centre.
Taking face-offs is a blast.
“When you win one, it feels really good,” he said.
Fritsch, who plays the point on the power play, also enjoys the added defensive responsibilities that go along with playing centre.
“You're supporting the puck all over the ice. You're supporting wingers in the corners and your defenceman,” said Fritsch, who scored 28 goals two seasons ago and 13, in an injury-riddled 2011-2012 season with the Greyhounds.
Stapleton tried winger Brandon Alderson in the middle during the preseason before deciding to employ Fritsch there.
“He's quick enough, he's smart enough and playing centre gives him a little more freedom on the ice,” said Stapleton, who's coaxed four, come-from-behind victories out of this year's club.
One of those wins came Wednesday, when the Soo rallied from 4-1 and 5-3 deficits to edge Saginaw 6-5 here.
Cousins scored the winner at 12:36 of the final frame, while playing on a line that included Fritsch on the right side and left-winger Michael Schumacher.
Stapleton shifted Fritsch onto that line in the third period and the move paid dividends.
And with Mark Petaccio turning in a strong performance at centre Wednesday, it wouldn't be surprising to see Stapleton keep Fritsch on the wing, playing alongside Schumacher and Cousins tonight.
Fritsch could wind up seeing time at both spots this season.
To me, depth up the middle is still iffy.
But Fritsch has certainly helped alleviate the problem.
And how do you argue with a 4-1 start?
-- While shots-on-goal allowed can be a deceiving statistic, it often speaks to defensive shortcomings.
Through five games, Hounds netminder Matt Murray has faced 200 shots. That's an average of 40 per game.
No OHL team has given up more.
While it's true Saginaw's approach was to throw everything it could at the Soo net Wednesday, over a full season, no team can be successful when its goalie is that busy.