Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 12, 1995 TAG: 9502130040
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JACK BOGACZYK
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
When Laxdal was signed by the Express in October as a player-assistant coach, the question was why someone with NHL experience wanted to skate in the East Coast Hockey League.
``I still get that question,'' Laxdal said a few days ago. ``I understand why people ask that.''
He wants to become a coach, but there's more to his presence in Roanoke than that. NHL contracts are harder to find. In the nomadic life he's lived since leaving his native Manitoba at age 15 to play juniors, Laxdal wants more home life for himself, wife Hali and little daughters Jessica and Jamie.
There's one other point Laxdal makes about why he isn't as jaded as some who have played in the bright lights.
``I love hockey,'' he said. ``Scoring a goal is scoring a goal. I get excited no matter where it is.''
The Express continues a stretch of seven games in nine days this afternoon against Wheeling at the Roanoke Civic Center, and this is the time of the season when the presence of a Laxdal can make a difference.
You can count on one hand the ECHL players who have had more than a few games of NHL experience. That short list includes the Express' new goalie, Daniel Berthiaume.
``I'm a big believer in respect and hard work on the ice,'' Laxdal said. ``I've been part of two championship teams [in juniors and with Springfield of the American Hockey League]. I think I can teach people about the game.''
He gets respect because, although he's been there, he relates well to his teammates. Laxdal's play shows others rather than shows up others.
In playing 67 games with Toronto and the New York Islanders during six seasons, his first of 12 NHL goals came at historic Chicago Stadium, now rubble. ``Think about the history there,'' he said.
He's scored in arguably the sport's two most famous arenas, the Montreal Forum and Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto. There also was the night with the Islanders when he beat the Canadiens' Patrick Roy twice.
So, what's so big about scoring in Johnstown's Cambria County War Memorial?
``When I scored a goal there [in January],'' Laxdal said, ``I thought, `This is where they made the hockey movie, Slapshot.' It was a thrill.''
When Frank Anzalone talked with Laxdal before hiring him, the Express' coach wasn't unlike the fans who wondered about Laxdal's commitment in a lesser forum.
``Frank said, `Your heart has to be in the game,''' Laxdal said. ``You do have to swallow a little pride to come to the ECHL, but I was coming here to be a leader.''
Laxdal could have played for the Canadian Olympic team in the Lillehammer Games last winter, having spent the 1992-93 season with Team Canada. The 25-night stints away from his family changed his mind.
He calls Roanoke ``the best place I've played, for my family.'' Laxdal, who turns 29 in March, wants to go behind the bench as an assistant coach maybe next season, maybe not. Maybe here, maybe not.
``I think I've realized what it takes to coach, the commitment, the time,'' Laxdal said. ``There's a lot of pressure. Frank spends a lot of time looking for and recruiting players.
``He's impressed me with the way he wants to win. I've had coaches who are in it just to coach. Their hearts really weren't into the game.''
Laxdal has 13 points in his past 11 games after he began the season with two goals in the Express' first 15 games. No one had to tell him he was pressing, although they did.
``I guess the thought is that you've played above this level, so in the ECHL you should try to score a goal a game,'' Laxdal said. ``That doesn't work. I quit worrying about it, and the puck started to go in.''
His 22 goals entering Saturday night's home date with Erie placed him among the club leaders. However, his leadership role includes more than turning on red lights.
Laxdal is respected not so much for where he's been as for where he is, and what he's doing.
by CNB