Schroeder ready for microscope during two games in Abbotsford
Jordan Schroeder knows he’ll be under the microscope this week when the Chicago Wolves do battle in the Fraser Valley against the Abbotsford Heat.
That always seems to be the way when the Canucks American Hockey League farm team — now in Chicago after the NHL came back to Winnipeg in the off- season — comes to Abbotsford, attracting bigger crowds to that city’s entertainment and sports centre.
With the Wolves in town for a two- game set, scheduled for tonight and Wednesday ( 7 p. m. starts) that suits Vancouver’s 2009 first- round pick just fine.
“I’m sure there will be a little more pressure,” said Schroeder, who will likely be under the watchful eye of Canucks GM Mike Gillis and head coach Alain Vigneault on Wednesday, as the NHL schedule hits the all- star break.
“Most games in Chicago, you’re not sure who’s watching. I’m sure there will be a little more pressure to do well but you can’t focus on that. You’ve got to bury that in the back of your head and just go out there and play hockey.”
In many ways, the diminutive speedster’s start to this season reflects that of the Wolves.
Schroeder scored once in his first 10 games, had just four points in that span and was a minus- six. The Wolves won just three of their first 10 games, after losing four straight — twice in the shootout — to begin the season.
Despite losing their last four games, the Wolves have, for the most part, improved. As of Monday afternoon, they sit third in the AHL’S Midwest Division and are just six points behind the Charlotte Checkers for top spot.
Since his sluggish start, Schroeder has moved into third in scoring on the Wolves with 11 goals and 24 points in 41 games — his career best is 10 goals and 28 points — and has been a good fit with almost every forward he’s been matched up with, according to head coach Craig Mactavish.
Currently, Schroeder calls Byron Bitz — the bruising forward the Canucks acquired in the off- season in order to bolster team toughness — a linemate.
It’s the textbook definition for the original odd couple.
“They net out to two average size players with average speed,” quipped Mactavish.
“Jordan has really played well for us the last number of games and really anybody that I play him with, he makes them better. He’s been a great teammate as well.”
Despite their remarkable differences in size — Schroeder stands at 5- 9 and 177 pounds, while Bitz is an enormous 6- 5 and 215 pounds — and skill sets, the two, along with AHL veteran Tim Miller, have been able to blend their unique styles into some form of chemistry.
“He’s a big frame and he definitely clears guys out of the way,” said Schroeder of Bitz.
“He’s great on the puck down low in the offensive zone and he’s a player you like to have on your team, that’s for sure. It helps tremendously, especially in the offensive zone when we’re cycling pucks. He’s able to set picks and create those openings for me and my linemates.”
Regardless of who he plays with this week, the spotlight will be on Schroeder much in the same it was when Cody Hodgson came to Abbotsford as a member of the Manitoba Moose.
Schroeder look no further than his current bench boss on how to handle the pressures of being property of a Canadian franchise. But most of that is self- induced, according to Mactavish.
“I don’t necessarily think it’s a lot of external pressure,” said Mactavish.
“He’s got a real internal drive and he’s a guy that’s been earmarked for the NHL for quite some time and he puts a lot of pressure on himself to do the things he needs to do to get there.
“His development is coming along just fine and we fully expect him to be there ASAP.”