Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, January 22, 1995 TAG: 9501260030
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER JR. STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A square-jawed defenseman for the Roanoke Express, Stewart does his job - keeping the puck out of one net, occasionally sticking it in the other - without a lot of fanfare or ceremony. Although fanfare and ceremony would be nice, he doesn't need it - or so he says.
Team needs come first. When the team needs someone to clear the puck while fending off a power-play, or someone to apply a vicious check, or someone to get the puck out to a teammate on the fly, Stewart comes through.
The guy performs those and other thankless tasks, even if it means sacrificing his body. While not regarded as an on-ice enforcer in the mold of Express wing Jason Clarke, Stewart will cover a teammate's back when necessary. His 105 penalty minutes are second on the ECHL team only to Clarke's 264.
That's why it was such a revelation when it was announced Stewart led the Express in scoring during the month of December with 14 points. It's easy to remember the guy who scores the goal, easy to forget the guy or guys who put the puck on his stick.
Some folks might even forget he's the team captain.
Last season, everyone knew Dave ``Moose'' Morissette was the captain. He had the kind of regal bearing that only a 6-foot-1, 220-pound hulk who smashes people face-first into the boards can have.
Pat Ferschweiler was leadership material, too. Eight goals and 22 assists in Roanoke's first 22 games made him a pretty obvious captain's choice.
Morissette and Ferschweiler are long gone, however. When Ferschweiler was called up to Kansas City of the International Hockey League, coach Frank Anzalone bestowed the captaincy upon his third-year defenseman.
``If the captain had to be the most skilled or flashiest player on the team,'' Stewart said, ``then I wouldn't be the captain. ... All I can do is play hard and help the team win. If that doesn't get me noticed by many fans, that's fine with me.''
Some have noticed. Stewart was named the Express' player of the month for December after his offensive contributions helped mitigate the loss of Ferschweiler.
Some haven't noticed. His play in December and early January made him a definite candidate for the ECHL All-Star Game. He was not selected, even though his numbers - 25 points and plus-5 rating - are comparable to those of players named to the East squad. Consider that Raleigh's Derek Linnell made the squad with 20 points and a minus-23 rating.
Roanoke goalie Dave Gagnon and defenseman Michael Smith were selected as starters, although both players are with the Minnesota Moose of the IHL.
``I would liked to have been on it,'' Stewart said of the All-Star team. ``They picked who they picked. Maybe I can prove they made a mistake by leaving me out.
``I think it's great that Michael Smith and Dave Gagnon were selected. That says a lot about our team defense. I'm definitely happy to see those guys on the team. Maybe I'm a little disappointed [about not being selected]. I can't worry about it, though.''
Anzalone isn't worried, either.
``A lot of coaches go by stats,'' Anzalone said. ``That's the way it is. He probably should have been in [the All-Star Game], but he understands that the guys who are well-known in the league are the guys who get picked. Smitty [Michael Smith] is known in this league.''
Maybe Stewart is getting some recognition now. A 1991 signee of the Los Angeles Kings who spent the past two years with Phoenix of the IHL, Stewart is only 22 and still has a chance to play some big-time hockey.
``My goal is not to have him back next year,'' Anzalone said.
Stewart, a native of Norwood, Ontario, who played three years of junior hockey in Canada, came to Roanoke after being one of the last training-camp cuts by the Adirondack Red Wings of the American Hockey League.
``There are people who can teach me the game here,'' Stewart said. ``I think I need to learn a lot before I'll get back up [to the IHL or AHL]. Getting to play a lot down here has given me confidence.''
by CNB