Last Updated on Sunday, 27 May 2012 18:31
By Andrew Vitalis
Let’s Play Hockey Columnist
Ahh, the subtle tricks of the trade you learn along the way. There certainly are a lot of them to pay attention to when you’re a professional hockey player. Just ask Vadnais Heights native Luke Beaverson. Earlier this season, while on the road with the Florida Everblades of the ECHL, Beaverson got a quick lesson in being prepared.
“It’s hard when you get called up and you’re already on the road,” Beaverson said, commenting on his short notice call-up to the Rochester Americans. “You’re packed for a road trip and you get called up and you really don’t have much, just a pair of pants, a suit, a few shirts, socks and stuff like that. You learn pretty quickly that you have to be flexible. I’ve learned that you need your passport with you at all times. You never know when you’re going to get called somewhere and all of a sudden you have to go to Canada. You have to be prepared.”
On the bright side, Beaverson already knows a thing or two about traveling. After playing four seasons with Alaska Anchorage, the former Seawolf went directly to Rochester, N.Y., playing six games with the Rochester Americans to close out the 2007-08 season. There was a lot to learn in just 360 minutes of hockey.
“The game is a lot more controlled and positional. Every person on the ice is extremely skilled and really fast,” mentioned Beaverson. “In the AHL, everybody knows their position and they stay in their position. It is a lot more controlled. The passing is unbelievable and everyone can pass. I think the game seems a lot faster because everyone knows how to move the puck.”
Now 30 games into his first full season as a pro, the learning experience continues. After starting the season with Rochester, Beaverson found himself in unfamiliar territory being the odd man out. Beaverson, a ninth round draft pick by the Florida Panthers in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, was a staple in the Anchorage lineup during his four years there, playing in a total of 138 games with the Seawolves. Now a rookie all over again, Beaverson has been forced to deal with a game of numbers, as in roster spots. Just to get him in the lineup, the defenseman has even played a few games at forward this season.
“Early on in the season, I wasn’t playing much,” mentioned Beaverson. “It’s been really frustrating for me. I’m used to playing every game. It is hard, but at the same time, I realize it’s my first year in. I’m just trying to keep a positive outlook on things and try and control what I can control. That’s really all you can do.”
Which is what makes Beaverson’s current situation so hard to swallow. After beginning the season in Rochester, he was sent down to the ECHL where he played 18 games with Florida. Beaverson played well, so well that shortly after being sent down, he was sent back to Rochester. However, just a handful of games after his promotion, the 6’5”, 227-pound defenseman got injured during a fight, suffering a concussion after hitting his head on the ice. The injury happened more than two weeks ago and he just returned to the lineup this past weekend. Something he hasn’t been able to control.
“Obviously it’s frustrating. I had just really gotten called back up when I got hurt. It’s difficult to deal with, but you realize its part of the game and stuff like that is bound to happen during your career,” stated Beaverson. “It’s a tough injury to have because you can’t really even work out if you’re still having symptoms. It’s not like a shoulder injury where you can still ride the bike and stay in shape. I’m getting there though. I finally got cleared by the doctors to start working out (the last few weeks) and the workouts are slowly progressing. You start slow by maybe doing 20 minutes on the bike with no resistance, and then you add a little resistance as you go along. It’s a tough injury because you definitely don’t want to rush things and overdo it.”
For a 25 year-old rookie, recognizing the importance of patience is an invaluable tool that Beaverson has already been able to master. As for what happens next, he’s just taking things in stride and enjoying every minute of it.
“I want to finish out here (Rochester) this season. I’m sure at the end of the season, assuming Rochester doesn’t make the playoffs, I’ll be sent back down to Florida. They are one of the top teams in their division so I’m sure they’re going to make a playoff run. I’m looking forward to that. I think a long playoff run would be fun to be a part of and would give me some much-needed big game experience,” commented Beaverson. “For the next season, I want to be full time in the AHL. I don’t want to be an in and out of the lineup guy. I want to be a reliable defenseman, an everyday defenseman.
“Being my rookie season, I’ve been really trying to learn the game,” added Beaverson. “You realize pretty quick that it’s not about playing harder, it’s about playing smarter.”
He may be a rookie in terms of play, but when it comes to the mental approach on the game, he’s well on his way towards becoming a veteran.
