OVERCOMING SLOW PLANTE GROWTH
By Lowetide
11 years ago
2011-12 was the best season in Alex Plante’s short pro hockey career. A strong season in OKC, an appearance in the AHL All-Star game, a cup of coffee in the NHL and a much brighter career outlook–even with the concussion worries.
The AHL All-Star appearance is a pretty big deal–it’s a rare item for Oilers prospects, the most famous one in recent history came about a decade ago with Doug Lynch–and it proves that Plante belongs in the best minor league on the planet. How good was his season? After a slow start and the unlikely recall, Plante settled down and had a fine season.
OKC BARONS EVEN STRENGTH SCORING—DEFENSE BY POINT PER GAME
NAME | GP | EV G | EV A | EV PTS | EV/G |
TAYLOR CHORNEY | 50 | 5 | 13 | 18 | .360 |
ALEX PLANTE | 41 | 0 | 11 | 11 | .268 |
COLTEN TEUBERT | 46 | 2 | 7 | 9 | .196 |
DYLAN YEO | 48 | 4 | 4 | 8 | .167 |
BRYAN HELMER | 69 | 1 | 10 | 11 | .159 |
KEVIN MONTGOMERY | 48 | 1 | 6 | 7 | .146 |
What’s more, his +16 led all blueliners and coach Todd Nelson clearly showed a great deal of confidence in his play. In an article yesterday in the Oklahoman, Ryan Aber had a fine article on the Barons and specifically Plante. There are two quotes I want to pass along from the article:
- Plante: “I did put my work in last summer, and I’m really pleased with how the coaches recognized it here and gave me an opportunity for me to get going. It really helped my confidence to make that next step in my career, not be scared to make little mistakes and just kind of figure out the defensive zone, where I need to be … everything kind of snowballed from there.”
Three things: first, Plante had an improved season one year ago but he needed work and he knew it. Plante came into this season motivated; the results are sewn into the story of his season: the callup, the all-star appearance, the post-season and the overwhelming positive vibe: he’s back in the mix as a legit prospect..Second, Todd Nelson. No matter what happens in regard to the Oilers coaching situation, Nelson is building a strong resume for some NHL team. He’s an excellent hockey coach and should get an NHL shot. Finally, Steve Tambellini. Credit where due, it’s been years since the minor league team saw this kind of growth in once season from so many players.
SKATING
Going all the way back to the 2007 Entry draft, the issue for Plante has been skating. He’s a big defender, tough as nails and willing to drop the gloves. However, Edmonton has Andy Sutton, Theo Peckham in the NHL and another first rounder (Colten Teubert) in the AHL who can fill that role. Sutton is more experienced, Peckham and Teubert more mobile. Plante’s quote in the article suggests new maturity and a recognition of the things he’ll need to do in order to make it to the next level:
- Plante: “I’ve got to stay on the ice because if I get off, I obviously turn into Bambi. It’s actually kind of funny. It’s honestly like I forget how to skate. I’m going to take my week and a half, two weeks or whatever and I’m going to try to get right back on the ice.”
That’s a terrific quote. As an old timey Oiler fan, I can actually give you names (but won’t) of Oiler prospects who have failed to deal with their weaknesses and displayed a sense of entitlement even in the face of possible banishment to the hinterlands. Plante’s weakness would be exacerbated by lollygagging through Europe all summer instead of putting in more work.
WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?
There are two main things we can learn from Mr. Aber’s story. Todd Nelson has had an enormous impact on this organization’s minor league players. From Magnus Paajarvi being eager to get to OKC through Plante’s willingness to cut short his summer, this is welcome news for an organization that didn’t have their own AHL team not so long ago. Plus the same lessons learned last spring and applied in the fall by Plante will be passed along to Tyler Pitlick and others this spring.
The other item is this: is it reasonable to suggest that the Deslauriers, the Schremp’s, the Pouliot’s would have developed better if the Oilers had spent the same amount of time, money and care for the farm they are displaying now?
I think the answer is–at least a little bit–yes.
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