FILE/STAFF

Lynx make trade to strengthen defense

Web posted October 6, 1998

By Rob Mueller
Staff Writer

DULUTH, Ga. -- The decision to trade a leading scorer might seem like a difficult trigger to pull. For the Augusta Lynx, based on the team's defensive shortcomings in Raleigh, N.C., last season, it was almost a no-brainer.

In the offseason, coach Dan Wiebe and general manager Paul Gamsby addressed the team's most pressing need. They dealt Kory Karlander -- who scored 32 goals and tallied 48 assists for the Raleigh IceCaps last season -- to Peoria for defenseman Garry Gruber and a player to be named later.

If that deal didn't make enough of a statement as to the team's priorities, Wiebe's defensive-minded workouts as the Lynx took to the Atlanta IceForum rink Monday for their second day of training camp made the statement loud and clear.

``It was pretty clear during the morning skate that there's a definite emphasis on defense here,'' said 22-year-old rookie defenseman John Whitwell. ``It was stressed by Dan in the practice and after the skate he mentioned it again.''

In Wiebe's first year as a head coach, a suspect defense was the main reason why the IceCaps finished 32-33-5 and missed the East Coast Hockey League playoffs last season. The IceCaps ranked 23rd out of 25 teams in shots against, 15th in goals against, while Raleigh defensemen posted a plus-minus ratio of minus-47.

If you're new to hockey, a player gets a plus each time his team scores a goal when he's on the ice and a minus when the other team scores while he's on the ice. Add the pluses and subtract the minuses to get the plus-minus ratio.

The addition of Gruber, one of the camp's early standouts, along with the return of several key veterans gives Wiebe reason to expect significant improvement on defense.

``It's tough to tell after two days, but there are some promising signs,'' Wiebe said. ``There's always a need for players who move on both ends of the ice, and we've stressed that the first two days.''

After assessing the defense from a year ago, Wiebe and Gamsby did not invite many players back. Of the 21 in camp Tuesday, only Dan Kopec, Jaroslav Obsut and Alexandre LaPorte played in Raleigh last season.

Last season, the 6-foot-4, 225-pound Kopec led the IceCaps with 308 penalty minutes. LaPorte, the only defenseman in camp under contract, is a gifted young defenseman who started the season in camp with the Vancouver Canucks' American Hockey League affiliate in Syracuse, N.Y. Perhaps the most talented blue-liner of the group, though, is Obsut, who led Raleigh defensemen with 32 points.

``It's obviously a need we're trying to address, and we've got to focus on that and try to find some quality defensemen who can contribute,'' Wiebe said.

Gruber appears anxious to fit that bill. The 6-foot, 190-pounder from Madison, Wis., has already exhibited a hard-nosed style of play, and is expected to add some offense, to boot.

``The first year I played in this league I was more of a defensive player but last year I really kind of grew into my own a little bit,'' said Gruber, who scored eight goals with 23 assists for Peoria last season, and began the season in a higher-level camp with the Milwaukee Admirals of the International Hockey League.

``My first responsibility to this team is to be defensive, but at the same token, always want an offensive threat and I've been able to add that to my game.''

And if intimidating appearances count for anything, Gruber already is scoring style points. The 24-year-old has demonic eyes embedded in a face that could have been chiseled from granite. He sports a shaved head and goatee to complete the look.

``Garry brings intensity and has got some great hockey sense out there,'' Wiebe said. ``I didn't see a lot of him yet, but just from training camp, I'm pretty impressed.''

NOTES:

The tempo and intensity picked up noticeably Tuesday, especially during the afternoon scrimmage. The session produced the first fight in camp, a minor scrap in the corner between Obsut and right winger Jessie Rezansoff. ... Several players arrived late Monday after being sent down from their respective American Hockey League camps. The list includes left winger Richard Irwin and right winger Stewart Bodtker from Syracuse (Canucks) and right winger Sam Ftorek from Albany, N.Y., (New Jersey Devils). Ftorek is the son of New Jersey Devils coach and former NHL player Robbie Ftorek. The AHL is considered the top minor pro league in hockey. ... Wiebe and rookie defenseman Dave Bolduc suffered from flu symptoms Monday. Wiebe pressed on, but Bolduc did not practice.

Rob Mueller covers hockey for The Augusta Chronicle. He can be reached at (706) 823-3425 or robm99@hotmail.com.