Calgary calling on Cattoni to provide scoring power
Roughnecks look to rebound at home after losing season opener in Rochester
The 2017 Calgary Roughnecks season featured the apprenticeship of Holden Cattoni.
Cattoni watched and learned from veterans Dane Dobbie and Jeff Shattler, trying to put those lessons to good use when called upon.
This season, with the departure of Shattler, Cattoni has moved up the pecking order and, consequently, the expectations have increased as well.
“No question,” Calgary head coach Curt Malawsky said. “When you look at your depth chart, you’d probably slot in Cattoni at No. 2. The expectations aren’t there to put pressure on him. We just feel he can put up No. 2 numbers and that he can push Dobs for No. 1 numbers. He has free rein to find the shot and take the shot when he feels fit. We’re giving him all the opportunity within our scheme to be successful.”
Cattoni and Co. make their National Lacrosse League regularseason home debut on Friday night at the Scotiabank Saddledome when the Vancouver Stealth come to town for the 7 p.m. ball drop. After a not-so-stellar start to the season last weekend in Rochester (a 17-6 loss), it’ll be a rebounding opportunity for the club.
In that loss, Cattoni had 13 shots on go a land scored once. That’s what the Roughnecks are demanding of him, to be a catalyst on offence.
“Last year, I took more of a back seat, a support role,” he described. “This year with Jeff moving on, I have an opportunity to step into a bigger role and shoot the ball more. And shooting the ball is what I feel is maybe the strongest part of my game. I had a very successful summer scoring and having confidence shooting the ball is something that was a key outcome of that. That’s what the coaches have ingrained in me, to play like I did in the summer time.”
In the 15 games he played last season, Cattoni — a fifth-round pick in the 2016 NLL draft — collected seven goals and 26 points. But the 23-year-old enjoyed a precious experience with the talentladen Peterborough Lakers in the summer, winning the Mann Cup.
“You do learn a lot from the guys at the top end,” said Cattoni, who is applying to dental school. “Curtis (Dickson) is one, Shawn Evans, as well. Adam Jones. You take bits and pieces from all of them. Everyone has something you can strive to be better at.
“Honestly, one of the biggest contributors for me was having Tracey Kelusky as one of the coaches. I lived with him in the summer and you learn a lot from a Hall of Famer, the way he dissects the game, how he sees it. It’s huge. It’s something I’ve thought about and dreamed about growing up. I definitely have the championship bug now.”
“When you get the experience, I really believe you’re a better player,” Malawsky said. “You know what it takes. You know what the grind is all about. He’s come through the school of Tracey Kelusky and he’ll be there to bring that invaluable experience.”
Calgary players and coaches have been preparing for a tough Vancouver squad that last year beat them out of a playoff spot. Any game in the West Division is a critical one. That also means some things will need to change from last weekend’s opener.
“We had higher expectations for ourselves going in,” Cattoni said. “I think we were mostly shocked by the result but it wasn’t for a lack of trying. Now with everyone back and healthy, you’ll see us jell and that starts on Friday.”
“Every guy in the room will have a personal reflection on how they played,” Malawsky added. “There wasn’t a guy in the room who could stand up and say ‘I played the best game I can.’ If all our guys have their best game, we’re on the winning side of the scoreboard most nights.
“We have to make sure guys stay the course. Sometimes it’s the most patient and slowest methodology that wins, as opposed to running all over the place with your hair on fire.”
You do learn a lot from the guys at the top end ... You take bits and pieces from all of them.