Monday, April 12, 1999
INSIDE LOCAL HOCKEY
Kwiatkowski stands up for Ducks
BY DAVE HELLER
Enquirer contributor
During the 1996 NHL draft, the Anaheim Mighty Ducks were ready to take Joel Kwiatkowski with their eighth-round pick. They even wrote the defenseman's name on their draft slip. But four picks before the Ducks selected, Dallas took Kwiatkowski.
Kwiatkowski took part in the Stars' training camp in 1997. He was scheduled to begin the year with their farm team in Kalamazoo, but as the regular season opener approached, Kwiatkowski had yet to sign a contract.
“The day of the opener it was yes or no,” Kwiatkowski said. “It was no, so back to juniors.”
Anaheim kept tabs on Kwiatkowski, though, and beat out Nashville in signing him as a free agent. Kwiatkowski said he chose the Ducks because he perceived them not to have as many prospects at defense, thus a quicker path for him to the NHL. “Anytime you can step into a team where you could be the next one to be called up, it's a good situation,” he said.
Kwiatkowski hasn't been called up to the NHL yet, but he's on the right path. Kwiatkowski leads all AHL rookie defensemen in goals.
He also has progressed defensively. Ducks coach Moe Mantha termed Kwiatkowski's defense as “non-existent” at the beginning of the season, but now says it is “above average” and to the point where Mantha will use Kwiatkowski on the penalty kill team.
Anaheim assistant general manager David McNab said the plan is for Kwiatkowski to spend next season in Cincinnati and be ready for a mid-season call up in two seasons. But, McNab says, the process could speed up if Anaheim loses defensemen to expansion or for other reasons.
“He has the speed, size and puck skills,” Mantha said. “It's a matter of paying his dues and sticking with improving his game and eventually he has a chance of playing in the NHL.”
DUCKS: With Anaheim's Pascal Trepanier out for the season, ex pect Dan Trebil to remain in the NHL and not play for Cincinnati in the playoffs. If Cincinnati outlasts Anaheim in the postseason, Trebil could return.
CYCLONES: The Cyclones' trade of Geoff Sarjeant took a new twist last weekend when the goalie, now with Indianapolis, allegedly threw a puck at Cincinnati coach Ron Smith following the Ice's win over the Cyclones on Friday. Sarjeant told the Indianapolis Star-News that he didn't see anybody throw anything. Witnesses say someone flipped what appeared to be a puck or a roll of tape at Smith.
“It was a very immature move by the goaltender,” said Smith. “It's one thing to be yelling and screaming obscenities at an ex-boss who happened to transfer you, but when you start throwing things it ceases to be amusing.”
Sarjeant was apparently upset that the Cyclones ran into him four times. Smith said he never has instructed his players to run a goalie and added that his review of the game tape showed Sarjeant stepping in front of a Cyclones player, then flopping to the ice.
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