Barzal
I’ve been like a younger brother to a lot of these guys, and they’re like my older brothers.
I wouldn’t necessarily say I had a turning point. It’s more the constant grooming from Lou and being around the veterans that’s helped me become more of a pro.
I’ve been in their shoes. You don’t get negative with them, you make them feel included. That’s the biggest thing. I’ve been on both sides of it where I felt included and felt a little bit on the outside when you’re the new guy in the room.
Take a guy like Holmstrom, he’s wearing new suits and looking like a pro now. There are little things along the way that you pick up. The way you handle losses and the things you work on after practice. Instead of just horsing around, you’re working on your shot, working on your one-timer.
I’ve felt pressure to be good, but that was more internal. I’ve always enjoyed pressure. It’s fun for me. I like playing in big games and being in the spotlight. Whether it was being the captain of my team or playing in big games when I was young. So I guess I’ve just been accustomed to it since I was a young kid.
Anytime the puck is going in like it is right now, you feel better about yourself off the ice.
I’m 26 now. I know I’m locked in for eight years. Lou gave me a contract because he thought I could be a game-breaker. I want to live up to that.
That organization has a special spot in my heart. Pretty much my whole childhood was spent there. I haven’t forgotten that’s where I grew up.
Burnaby winter club
Lee
He was a young guy with a ton of skill that had success in junior and it was evident from early on how much of an impact he would have on the ice. It’s been great to see to see Barzy throughout the years just continue to grow and mature and become the guy he is today.
It’s just a natural progression of life and the experience and responsibility that comes with being a top player on our team. He’s taking that on really well.
Holmstrom
He was there when I got drafted. He’s always been a helping hand for me.
Clutterbuck
When you’re given that kind of ability, you have a certain role on a team that is as high profile as his. The way that you play the game and the way that you handle yourself is a direct representation of your organization and your teammates. He’s had the responsibility to grow into a human being that he can be proud of and that we all can look to as a leader.
The beauty of being on a team is you’ve got 22 other guys supporting and helping you out. Sometimes, there are situations that you react to admirably and sometimes, there are situations you like to react to differently. That’s no different for me as it is for him or as it is for Anders. It’s always a learning process. It’s not one of those things where he just woke up one day and had it.
Horvat
You know how much skill he has and how good he is with the puck, but until you actually get to play with him on a daily basis, you really come to appreciate what he can do out there.
He’s a really good guy to have on your team because he keeps it light. He’s not super serious all the time and you really see that side of him out here.
When it comes to playing the game and being on the ice, he’s definitely serious. He’s got a lot of passion for the game he wants to win, but to have that other side of him is what makes him so good. He’s not always locked into being serious all the time. You have to have fun playing the game too, and he brings that for sure.
Martin
He’s got a better understanding of recognizing areas in his game that need improvement. He’s talked about his one-timer on the powerplay a lot this year. He never really wanted to take that shot before, and now he’s scoring at a pretty good level and constantly shooting it.
He’s grown a lot. He’s got a little bit more of a voice, wants to speak up, and now holds himself accountable as well as other people. That’s really turned a corner over the last 12 months. He’s taken kind of another step in his game and has become a leader in this room.
