Wagner rounding back into his regular form
After a slow start to the 2015- 16 WHL campaign, Austin Wagner feels like he’s getting back up to speed.
The Regina Pats’ right winger had his most productive outing of the season on Saturday with a goal and two assists in a 4- 3 overtime win versus the Moose Jaw Warriors.
Although it’s just one game, Wagner would like to think it’s a sign of things to come.
“I’ve been working hard and it seems to be starting to come around for me,” he said. “I just have to keep working hard and keep a positive attitude.”
With three goals and five assists in 14 games, Wagner isn’t far off the pace he established during a breakout 2014- 15 campaign — with 20 goals and 39 points in 61 games.
The 18- year- old Calgary product believes the key last season was utilizing his speed and playing a no- frills game. He veered off that path upon returning from his first training camp with the Los Angeles Kings, who selected him in the fourth round of the 2015 NHL draft.
“I do feel like I changed my game coming back and it did affect me in a huge way,” he said. “You could see it the first couple games and you see it in flashes right now. I try to do too much. I have to get back to playing simple because that’s when I’m at my best. I can’t overcomplicate things.”
Wagner isn’t the first player to fall into that trap and he won’t be the last.
“When they get off the plane and come to us, it’s a message given to them right away,” said Pats assistant coach/ assistant GM Dave Struch. “Maturity happens for these guys at different times after they get drafted. With Austin it’s slowly coming to fruition the way he needs to play to move on to the next level and to help our team.
“It’s keeping it simple and playing really smart and fast without the puck, which gives him the opportunity to play fast and hard with the puck. He’s still in the learning process. He’s just going to get better day in and day out.”
Wagner also feeds off the penalty kill, which has become a big part of his identity as a player — along with his blazing speed. Two of his three goals this season have come while short- handed after finishing among the league leaders in that category last season with five.
“I like killing penalties,” said Wagner. “It’s an unsung role, but it’s a big part of the team and the team recognizes it so that’s all that matters. When you’re playing well defensively the offence will come.”
That’s what happened Saturday night, when Wagner and linemate Adam Brooks combined for two goals and four assists. Among the highlights were Brooks setting up Wagner for a short- handed breakaway goal, followed by Wagner setting up Chase Harrison for the overtime winner.
“I kept it simple and I used my speed,” said Wagner. “I took pucks to the net and threw pucks on net. I just have to keep doing that because that’s when I’m successful. When I try to stickhandle through guys and do stuff like that I’m not successful and I end up turning over the puck or costing us a goal. I have to learn from that.”