Messier comfortable with dual role
Associated Press
DENVER -- Eric Messier is a natural defenseman, but he
scored his first NHL playoff point as a forward.
| |  | | | Messier |
He played much of the regular season as forward or defense, but
most of his playing time in seven playoff games this year has been
at wing.
"I have to be ready all the time; you never know what will
happen," Messier said. "When Ray (Bourque) got hurt in Detroit, I
played four or five shifts on defense in the third period. Even at
practice, I practice both forward and defense. I never know where
I'll be sometimes."
Messier, 26, said he does not mind the uncertainty that can come
with versatility.
"I don't care where I'm playing. I can play both sides," he
said. "I've played maybe 40 games at forward and 20 games on
defense."
During the Avalanche's 4-2 victory over Detroit on Friday,
Messier looked comfortable at forward during the third period, when
he jumped off the bench and outraced Red Wings defenseman Nicklas
Lidstrom to the puck to prevent an icing call against Colorado.
He got the puck to Serge Aubin, who fired a shot. Shjon Podein
got the rebound and scored, wrapping up a 4-1 series victory
against the Red Wings in the Western Conference semifinals.
"I feel more comfortable at forward. I know what to do. It's a
different view for me, seeing the other side of the ice," Messier
said. "I know the job as a forward (is) to be the first guy on the
puck, especially our line, the fourth line."
Avalanche coach Bob Hartley discovered Messier playing
professional roller hockey in Montreal before the 1995-96 season
and asked if he wanted to try playing on the ice.
That season, Messier played for the Avalanche's American Hockey
League affiliate. He played for that team one season and has played
for the Avalanche the past three years, except for a six-game
conditioning stay with the Hershey (Pa.) Bears two seasons ago.
Messier played in 61 games for the Avalanche this season,
collecting three goals and six assists. |
