Islanders forward Ryan Getzlaf heeds words of advice during a stoppage
in play.
He sits in his seat on the plane with his eyes fixated on the shiny screen of his Sony PSP while his fingers navigate the controls of the popular handheld.
His roomate, assistant captain David Vyborny sits in the seat beside him with his eyes closed in an effort to fall asleep and recharge before that night's game.
"I don't know how these kids do it," Vyborny smiles. "Getz, Marek, Alex... none of them take pre-game naps like us old guys and they still seem to have more energy than us."
"I sleep at night," Getzlaf answers. "That's when you're supposed to sleep."
It's this youthful enthusiasm -- that which Larry Robinson emphasized in the summer -- that is leading the New York Islanders so far this season.
For those who aren't aware of the current scoring leaders for the Islanders, the top five goes as follows: Marek Svatos (12 G, 16 A, 28 PTS), Alexander Perezhogin (7 G, 19 A, 26 PTS), Ryan Getzlaf (12 G, 12 A, 24 PTS), Robert Nilsson (13 G, 10 A, 23 PTS) and Jiri Hudler (8 G, 14 A, 22 PTS).
That's 22-year old Alexander Perezhogin leading the team with 19 assists and 21-year old Robert Nilsson with a team-high 13 goals.
Since arriving in the Island almost a month ago, Perezhogin has found a spot on the team's number one line flanking fellow youngster Robert Nilsson at centre and veteran David Vyborny on the other wing.
Despite the team's up-and-down start to the regular season at the quarter mark, Perezhogin doesn't want to go any where.
"I like this team a lot," Perezhogin says. "It's fun because I think we have a real good group of guys in here... it's a good mix. Lots of guys who are around the same age and some really solid veterans who have really helped us younger guys out a lot."
Team captain Chris Phillips, one of the aforementioned veterans agrees.
"Most of the time when teams decide to take that step and go the youth way, the process ends up taking a while for things to work out for whatever reason, but the guys we have in here might be able to speed up the process significantly."
Guys like Ryan Getzlaf who was drafted in the 1st round by the Anaheim Ducks in 2003, or Marek Svatos, a fellow who was overlooked in his draft year -- six full rounds -- before being snatched up by the Colorado Avalanche 227th overall in the 7th round.
Svatos followed up his draft year with a 38 goal, 39 assist, 77 point campaign the following season in 53 games much to the delight of Avalanche scouting staff.
So while the CPHL Islanders may not be there just yet this season, times look to be brighter in the near future for the storied franchise yearning so badly for success.
"We feel that better days are on the horizon," Getzlaf says. "And I fully intend to be here when it happens."
"I like this team a lot," Perezhogin says. "It's fun because I think we have a real good group of guys in here... it's a good mix. Lots of guys who are around the same age and some really solid veterans who have really helped us younger guys out a lot."
Wow Kev you must have some damn good English Tutors on your staff cause that 1 paragraph is a hell of a lot more then I heard Perez say his 2 seasons in Montreal!!
Wow Kev you must have some damn good English Tutors on your staff cause that 1 paragraph is a hell of a lot more then I heard Perez say his 2 seasons in Montreal!!
Yeah... by luck of the draw, it looks like Steve Shields will be buying for Alex for Secret Santa this year...
Kids Leading The Way
