Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, November 11, 1995 TAG: 9511120001
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER JR. STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
He's done both. After struggling to earn his keep as a defenseman for the Roanoke Express the past two seasons, Potter asked coach Frank Anzalone for a chance to play forward. Anzalone, who at one point earlier this season had considered trading Potter, agreed to the move, and now Potter has become one of the biggest early-season surprises for the Express.
Coming off a season in which his jersey number (No.2) was higher than his goals total (one), Potter has changed positions, changed jersey numbers and changed his scoring habits. With five goals in his first 10 games, Potter's goal totals probably should exceed the No.20 he now wears on his back.
``Change is good,'' Potter said.
He had just 18 points last year, and his lone goal came on a power play about six weeks into the season. It was a precipitous drop from the year before when he led Express defensemen with 11 goals.
Truth be told, Potter never was comfortable playing defense, and it showed. He had become a defenseman as a teen-ager because it was the only way he could make his high school varsity team. He remained a blue-liner through an outstanding career at the University of Connecticut, where his 83 points in four years are believed to be the most ever for a Huskies defenseman.
He was a second-team American College Hockey Association All-American in 1993 with Connecticut. He was invited to camp with the San Jose Sharks in 1993 and wound up with the Express after that.
But as a professional, Potter's struggles with the physical style of the professional game were manifested most clearly in his plus/minus rating, perhaps the best statistic to measure how much a player contributes to the team. Basically, if you're on the ice when your team scores an even-strength goal, you get a plus-1; if your team allows a goal while you're on the ice, you get a minus-1.
Potter's plus-minus rating last season resembled the wind-chill temperatures in his hometown of West Kingston, R.I. Potter was below zero the entire season, dropping to a frigid minus-14 at one point before warming up to minus-4. He finished at a team-low minus-9.
``My biggest problem was that I could stick-check a lot in college,'' Potter said. ``You can't get away with just that here. You can't play in this league like that. You might score a goal or two that way, but you'll give up four or five.''
Potter asked Anzalone for a tryout at right wing. He came through with a solid training camp, showing off some good offensive moves and a quick wrist shot.
``I gave him a window of opportunity,'' said Anzalone, whose team plays Erie tonight at the Roanoke Civic Center. ``I told him I'd trade him at one point, but he was committed to staying in Roanoke. He got the support of his teammates, and that gave him a feeling to stick it out.''
Although he is listed as a combination right wing and defenseman, Potter, 25, is logging almost all of his ice time as a forward. Anzalone would still like to see him be more aggressive on the ice.
``If he were more physical, he'd be an attractive right winger,'' Anzalone said. ``If he's not, he's like a six-cylinder car running on four cylinders. ... He'll get his chances, though. He's got a quick flick. When he takes the puck to the net, he gets his chances.''
He has a pair of two-goal games already. His two goals at Raleigh on Nov.4 were described as ``pure sniper'' by one team official.
There are times when he wishes he had played forward in high school. Perhaps now he would be that sniper.
``I wish I'd stuck to my guns as a sophomore [in high school],'' he said. ``But back then, I just wanted to be on the team.''
If he keeps scoring and playing well, he shouldn't have to worry about making the team anymore.
by CNB