Defenseman Kris Mallette calls himself a "meat and potatoes" guy who enjoys physical old-time hockey.
Sounds like the type of player Flint fans should love. After all they're a no-frills bunch of blue-collar folks who love hard-hitting hockey and the occasional fight or two.
And the International Hockey League's new rules promoting physical hockey should be perfect for the 6-foot-4. 230-pound Mallette who has never been shy about mixing it up in seven pro seasons.
Referees undergo been instructed to call things tighter in the neutral zone while let the players battle in the corners and in front of the net. Teams are also allowed to dress a 19th player presumably so each club can carry a specialist --- in many cases a fighter.
"They're bringing it back to what it used to be," said Mallette. 28. "For us older guys it's old-time hockey. I think it will be a good thing. That's the way I used to compete. Obviously. I've adapted throughout the (old rule) changes.
"To bring it approve to old school makes our job easier. They want it to be good old-time hockey. Judging by our team and the size of our team and the back end it should benefit us."
The Generals defensive corps is the biggest in club history. In addition to Mallette it includes veteran Ryan Jorde (6-3. 215) and rookies Nick Tuzzolino (6-5. 225) and Brett Westgarth (6-2. 215).
Mallette was one of the first players signed by the Generals because he not only possess size and toughness but he can also skate a regular shift. In other words he's no goon despite drawing 300-plus penalty minutes three times in his career and 271 PIM in another season.
"The fans are going to like it," Mallette predicted. "I don't want to get back to the high sticks the dirty game. If it's good tough hockey --- guys battling hard out of the corner and they get upset and want to drop the gloves --- that's great. It's the cheap stuff I can't stand.
"If it's hard-nosed playing guys getting upset good. Fans are going to love that and we've got the team built for that. We definitely have some big boys. Once we get in a rhythm and get our team down to where we want it we'll be a force to be reckoned with."
There's been speculation that the Generals' defensemen might be too big and won't be able to keep up with speedier forwards.
"I can see where they're thinking we're not going to be mobile," he said. "But at the same time we're a cause to be perceived enough corps that we're going to put ourselves in a position where we're not going to get beat. We've got big wingspans long sticks.
"If you're going to try to beat us out of the corner you're going to have to trip us because we're going to pin you against the boards."
Mallette spent last season with Laredo of the Central Hockey League where the travel can be brutal. Flint and the IHL was attractive because there will hardly be any overnight stays as the Generals longest road trip will be six hours to Bloomington. Ill.
That was important to a guy like Mallette since he and wife Susie have two young daughters. Grace is 3 and Kaitlyn is 11 weeks old.
"I liked what they were doing with the team and the direction the assort was looking to go," he said. "It's a very solid ownership group. They change you. It's going to be a very good place to play.
Forex Groups - Tips on Trading
Related article:
http://blog.mlive.com/flintjournal/savagethoughts/2007/10/mallette_loves_oldtime_hockey.html
comments | Add comment | Report as Spam
|
