Harland keeps spirits high despite low ice time
The Saskatoon Blades’ team bus pulled into the Credit Union Centre parking lot at 7 a.m. Thursday morning following a seemingly endless journey from Calgary.
With victories over Red Deer and Calgary on the short road trip — which ran the Blades’ winning streak to 17 — and another game tonight against Brandon, the coaches called an optional practice Thursday.
But when the few players emerged from the dressing room for the start of the skate, to the surprise of no one, there was Logan Harland at the front of the line.
“I think practice for me is really like games,” said the 17-year-old, who was joined on the ice by backup goaltender Alex Moodie and veterans Darren Dietz, Lukas Sutter and Jessey Astles.
“Because I don’t play as much, I need to be the best practice player out there. You have to put what you can’t put into the game into practice.”
Acquired from the Vancouver Giants in September for a seventh-round WHL bantam pick, Harland’s ice time has mostly been restricted to mid-afternoon skates.
The Frenchman Butte native has played in just 25 games, netting three goals and adding an assist.
Harland has been a healthy scratch more often than not, but he hasn’t let his status get him down.
He regularly acts as the dressing room prankster and has earned the nickname “Rudy” because of his tireless work ethic like the character in the famous football movie.
“I love bringing energy to the rink and keeping
“BECAUSE I DON’T PLAY AS MUCH, I NEED TO BE THE BEST PRACTICE PLAYER OUT THERE. ”
LOGAN HARLAND
the boys positive,” said the 5-foot-10, 190-pound winger. “It’s not hard to keep it positive, especially on our heater here.”
Harland appeared in 11 straight games before the trade deadline with the Blades battling injuries.
But with the team back to full strength and augmented by the acquisitions of veteran wingers Erik Benoit, Collin Valcourt and Michael Ferland Jan. 10, Harland has suited up twice in the last 24 contests.
Others like Moodie, winger Ryan Graham, centre Matt Revel and defenceman Shayne Gwinner have also been forced to sit.
“Whoever it may be, they’re accepting their role,” said Blades head coach and general manager Lorne Molleken. “They have a tremendous attitude and a tremendous work ethic.
“We have an older team this year with all kinds of experience. It’s their job to make sure they’re ready to go when given the opportunity.”
So even if that means coming back to the rink after a dreadful bus ride, that’s what Harland is trying to do.
“Energy’s a big part of my game,” he said. “It’s just (a matter of) staying (mentally) into the games. Even if you’re not part of them, it’s doing video or watching.
“I’m learning just from watching those older guys. I have to use that to my advantage in the future.”
BLADE BITS: With their 17th straight victory over Calgary Wednesday, the Blades matched the longest WHL winning streak since the Medicine Hat Tigers in 2006-07. The Tigers won the Ed Chynowth Cup as WHL champions that season ... The 1966-67 Estevan Bruins hold the WHL record for the longest winning streak in one season with 22 straight victories. The Victoria Cougars won 24 straight games from Feb. 6 to Oct. 9, 1981, which spanned two seasons.