Dogs’ Erickson a work in progress

By Darren Zary of The StarPhoenix

He’s Ricky the Rookie and Brad Erickson is made well aware of it.

“You know who this guy is?” chides University of Saskatchewan assistant coach Troy Walkington, wondering if a reporter is confused about which player he is talking to.

“You’re talking to Ricky? Why are you talking to him? Are you sure you want to talk to him?” They laugh. Erickson spent the early part of the season skating through a period of adjustment. Now, the rookie centre is one of the most improved players on the Huskies heading to the Cavendish University Cup national hockey championship, March 22-25, in Moncton, N.B.

Changes style

Once on the fringe, Erickson has become a regular face in the lineup.

“Brad had to change his game to suit the Huskie hockey program and, more in particular, the coach,” says Huskies head coach Dave Adolph. “I know it hasn’t been a comfortable change for him. But, to his credit, he’s played pretty well this (second) half.”

Erickson gives the Dogs additional depth down the middle, plus a youthful injection as one of 11 rookies on the 26-man roster.

“We’ve got a lot of depth,” Erickson says. “A lot of the old guys have been playing here three or four years. They’re doing a great job. My role is just to create energy, like a third-line player does.

“We’ve got the team that could win a championship. We’ve got a lot of talent.” The key? “It comes down to hard work. You can’t underestimate any team. “It’s going to be good.” As good as the Canada West conference final against the Alberta Golden Bears?

“Now that was fantastic,” Erickson says. “I never played in a best-of-three before, but it’s really quick, fast-paced. There were a lot of bodies flying. It was awesome to beat those guys. I was pretty pumped.”

Good mix

The Dogs’ first game at nationals is Thursday at 12 noon against the New Brunswick Varsity Reds.

“Dave’s been talking about it (nationals) since the start of the season,” Erickson says. “We achieved what we wanted to do. All the young guys have done a really good job.

“I haven’t had anything quite like this since I went to the Royal Bank Cup with Humboldt (Broncos in 2003 at Charlottetown, P.E.I. as an affiliate player from the Saskatoon midget AAA Blazers).

“We had a lot of old guys and experience, just like this team. These guys have tasted it before. They lost the (national) final two years ago in Alberta, so these guys are hungry.”

Erickson will do his best to stay in the lineup.

“It starts in practice,” he says. “Troy (Walkington) kicks me in the butt every practice to keep my feet moving.”

It’s full speed ahead now, moving to the Big Show in Moncton.

dzary@sp.canwest.com