Soo's Clutsam seeks bigger role
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SAULT STE. MARIE - He's only five-foot-nine.
But Mac Clutsam hopes to play like a six-footer this season.
With a spot expected to be open among the Soo Greyhounds top four defencemen, the 177-pound Flamborough, Ont., product has his eye on the prize.
“I want to work hard and move as far up the lineup as I can,” said the 18-year-old Clutsam, who was often a healthy scratch a season ago, playing in just 29 games.
He finished with one assist and a plus-minus of minus-3.
“I want to earn as much ice time as possible and contribute as much as possible,” added Clutsam, a seventh-round choice in the 2011 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selections draft. “I'm really excited for this year.”
While returning veterans Darnell Nurse, Alex Gudbranson and Tyler Ganly are being counted on as the team's top three rearguards, Clutsam and 17-year-old Kevin Spinozzi are the returning defencemen expected to battle for minutes.
They're joined by rookie hopefuls Colton White, 16, Kyle Jenkins, a 17-year-old, and Medric Mercier, who turns 17 in October.
So far, Clutsam hasn't done anything to show he's incapable of a larger role.
“He's been a guy who's shown he can play the way we want to play,” said Hounds head coach Sheldon Keefe. “He's fast and he definitely gets involved, both with and without the puck.”
Clutsam said he believes he's “doing well so far. But there's always room for improvement. I want to get consistently better every game.”
Asked if Clutsam has what it takes to be a top-four guy, Keefe said he “definitely thinks he'll knock on that door.”
However, Clutsam does have things he needs to work on.
He must improve his defensive play, while honing his ability to use his body, in order to overcome his lack of size.
“I'm not big, so I won't be crushing guys,” Clutsam said. “But I hope to be able to contain guys and keep them to the outside. I need to use my stick properly and be steady in the defensive zone.”
Clutsam found his inactivity a season ago difficult to deal with. He admitted being a healthy scratch was frustrating.
But he also said he realized it “was part of the process,” adding he knew he had to continue working hard and “only worry about the things I could control.”
Clutsam also spoke of how he had a lot of support from his teammates, coaches and family.
Watching veterans such as Ryan Sproul and overage Colin Miler was a benefit, Clutsam said.
He noted the power both skated with, their ability to move the puck and make correct decisions with it.
“You could tell they were experienced and I learned a lot from them, “ Clutsam said.
General manager Kyle Dubas spoke of how Clutsam has good instincts, good speed and the ability to get up into the play.
“Sheldon has a lot of belief in him,” the GM added. “I think Mac needs to realize how good he can be.”
Clutsam said he spent the summer working to get stronger and faster.
He'd love to see some power-play time this season, but realizes it'll come down to what he does with the opportunity in front of him.
“I was so excited to come back this season,” Clutsam added. “I want to do everything I can to contribute to the team and do what the coaches want me to do by playing my role.”
But Mac Clutsam hopes to play like a six-footer this season.
With a spot expected to be open among the Soo Greyhounds top four defencemen, the 177-pound Flamborough, Ont., product has his eye on the prize.
“I want to work hard and move as far up the lineup as I can,” said the 18-year-old Clutsam, who was often a healthy scratch a season ago, playing in just 29 games.
He finished with one assist and a plus-minus of minus-3.
“I want to earn as much ice time as possible and contribute as much as possible,” added Clutsam, a seventh-round choice in the 2011 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selections draft. “I'm really excited for this year.”
While returning veterans Darnell Nurse, Alex Gudbranson and Tyler Ganly are being counted on as the team's top three rearguards, Clutsam and 17-year-old Kevin Spinozzi are the returning defencemen expected to battle for minutes.
They're joined by rookie hopefuls Colton White, 16, Kyle Jenkins, a 17-year-old, and Medric Mercier, who turns 17 in October.
So far, Clutsam hasn't done anything to show he's incapable of a larger role.
“He's been a guy who's shown he can play the way we want to play,” said Hounds head coach Sheldon Keefe. “He's fast and he definitely gets involved, both with and without the puck.”
Clutsam said he believes he's “doing well so far. But there's always room for improvement. I want to get consistently better every game.”
Asked if Clutsam has what it takes to be a top-four guy, Keefe said he “definitely thinks he'll knock on that door.”
However, Clutsam does have things he needs to work on.
He must improve his defensive play, while honing his ability to use his body, in order to overcome his lack of size.
“I'm not big, so I won't be crushing guys,” Clutsam said. “But I hope to be able to contain guys and keep them to the outside. I need to use my stick properly and be steady in the defensive zone.”
Clutsam found his inactivity a season ago difficult to deal with. He admitted being a healthy scratch was frustrating.
But he also said he realized it “was part of the process,” adding he knew he had to continue working hard and “only worry about the things I could control.”
Clutsam also spoke of how he had a lot of support from his teammates, coaches and family.
Watching veterans such as Ryan Sproul and overage Colin Miler was a benefit, Clutsam said.
He noted the power both skated with, their ability to move the puck and make correct decisions with it.
“You could tell they were experienced and I learned a lot from them, “ Clutsam said.
General manager Kyle Dubas spoke of how Clutsam has good instincts, good speed and the ability to get up into the play.
“Sheldon has a lot of belief in him,” the GM added. “I think Mac needs to realize how good he can be.”
Clutsam said he spent the summer working to get stronger and faster.
He'd love to see some power-play time this season, but realizes it'll come down to what he does with the opportunity in front of him.
“I was so excited to come back this season,” Clutsam added. “I want to do everything I can to contribute to the team and do what the coaches want me to do by playing my role.”