PATS’ HANSEN THE CONSUMMATE TEAM PLAYER.
Carter Hansen’s versatility has made him a dependable player for the Regina Pats, but his attitude makes him almost indispensable.
Hansen could have easily become a distraction due to his part-time role this season and he could have complained about being asked to switch from forward to defence. He did the opposite. “I like to take any positive I can,” offered Hansen, who has embraced a leadership role. “Being negative never helped anyone. I try to make it the best experience I can for the younger guys because I didn’t get that when I was a bit younger. Doing that has also helped me with how I think of (being at) the rink.
“I take pride in how I’ve acted and reacted. It helps when the coaches and other people see that. It’s a nice pat on the back.” Hansen earned it. “He has a great attitude,” said head coach John Paddock. “If you don’t have a great attitude, it doesn’t work. He’s a role player, but it’s a very important role to be able to play forward or defence.
“He’s A-plus for the situation and how he has performed.”
The Pats will need more of the same following injuries to defencemen Colby Williams and James Hilsendager.
Williams (wrist, day to day) is expected to miss his fifth straight game Saturday when the Pats visit the Saskatoon Blades. Hilsendager is out indefinitely after suffering a serious shoulder injury on Wednesday against the Swift Current Broncos.
In their absence, Hansen is expected to play a larger role.
“Being an older guy I have to be a presence out there anyway, but now that we’re down a couple guys I have to step up and play very consistent,” he said. “I’ve had to take advantage of my opportunities all year. Hopefully, I can do it again.”
Hansen has played each of Regina’s past six games after dressing in just 13 of the previous 24 — mostly on the blue-line. It’s not what he envisioned after playing a key third-line role last season, helping Regina win the East Division pennant.
“It’s not the ideal situation, but I’ve actually enjoyed this year, one of the most out of all my years,” said Hansen, who’s in his fourth WHL season — two as a member of the Pats.
“With the guys we have on this team, it has been absolutely unreal and the coaches have been fantastic. As much as it sucks to sit out, it is helping me grow as a person and realize I have to take advantage of what I’ve got. I’m extremely happy here.”
Hansen was warned by the coaches early this season that he may have to be patient. With an eye toward the future, they wanted to get some younger players in the lineup, thus dropping Hansen down the depth chart.
“This team is going to be really good in a few years,” he noted.
“Sometimes as a 19-yearold you have to see that and not just think about you, but think about the team.
“You obviously want to play. It was a little frustrating, but with experience (you realize) kicking and screaming doesn’t get you any further, so you might as well accept it and do the best you can when you get the chances. You just have to wait it out and your time will come.”
‘Too hard to leave’
In the process of discussing his role with the coaches, Hansen also had the option of moving to another team. He declined. “The idea was thrown out there,” he said.
“I thought about it. After a while, especially after that B.C. road trip, not just the wins but spending all that time with the guys, it was too hard to leave.”
Although he’s officially listed as a forward, the majority of Hansen’s ice time is coming on the back end where he has filled in occasionally throughout his WHL career.
The Craven native was originally drafted as a defenceman, but his former team, the Moose Jaw Warriors, moved him up front. He hasn’t been a full-time rearguard since bantam.
“I’m starting to feel like a D-man again,” Hansen added with a smile. “It’s not a negative thing. I’m loving it back there. I would never say I wouldn’t go back to forward, but I am liking defence right now.”