Wednesday, March 22, 2006

McAvoy has hand in Dogs’ success


By Darren Zary of The StarPhoenix

EDMONTON — When Keegan McAvoy is finally done with the University of Saskatchewan hockey Huskies, they may wish to present him with a wrist watch.

Not for all his years of service, mind you. Rather, a titanium-plated wrist watch could serve as a reminder of the 2005-06 season when McAvoy made it to the Telus University Cup national tournament without breaking either of his wrists.

“It’s nice to know I got a whole year under the belt,” McAvoy said prior to this week’s tournament, which begins Thursday when the Dogs take on the Atlantic champion Acadia Axemen. “It’s nice that the whole team is healthy going into a tournament like this.”

Last year, McAvoy broke a wrist in training camp. After returning, he injured the other. He missed the pre-season and eight regular-season games. His production dropped to six goals and eight assists in 20 games from 12 goals and 18 assists for 30 points in 28 games the previous season.

This season, McAvoy became more of a playmaker with 20 assists and four goals for 24 points in 28 games.

“If you look only for points as a contribution, maybe he’s been a little snake-bit, but this year and last year, we asked him to move away from Dean Beuker and contribute in another way,” said coach Dave Adolph. “He and Aussie (Curtis Austring) and Trent Adamus have been phenomenal all season. They’ve given us a bona fide No. 1 line. Every time they step out there, they’ve been a threat and they’re very responsible defensively. We’re going to the national championship and we’re asking Keegan to sacrifice again. He’s going to play with Mason Wallin and Matt Girling here to give us three unbelievable lines. Keegan has been a guy who’s done everything you ask of him for the team.

“I don’t know if there’s anybody here who has played the game with more passion on and off the ice.”

Passionate, determined and realistic, too.

“All I know is we’re going to have to have a couple of lines put pucks in the net if we want to win,” said McAvoy. “If Beuker and (Brent) Twordik’s line isn’t doing it, it’s going to have to be me or Aussie’s line — somebody’s got to do it. We’re going to have to have balanced scoring and we’re going to have to put a couple in on the power play.” This could be McAvoy’s last year with the Dogs, although he still has another year of CIS eligibility should he wish to return. “It’s hard to say,” he said this week. “I have no idea what I’m going to do next season. I could be anywhere from here to Europe to wherever. I have no idea. All I know is that leaving here without a national championship would be very disappointing.” And, if that was the case, any parting wrist-watch would surely get smashed.
dzary@sp.canwest.com