A TEAM-FIRST MENTALITY IS A NOBLE TRAIT FOR AMERKS' MacINNIS

Jan 10, 2022

By Suzie Cool

 

Four games in four nights.

 

That’s the workload that Rochester Americans forward Ryan MacInnis took on last week. No expectation of an off day, MacInnis just came ready to play no matter where he was at.

 

The result? Three goals in three games with the Amerks and his Buffalo Sabres debut sandwiched in the middle. And although this kind of play is hard not just on the body, but also on the mind, MacInnis was going to play no matter the circumstance for whatever team needed him.

 

“Obviously it’s not ideal, but if the team needs me to play, I’ll play. I was going to play no matter what, but it is what it is, and I got my day off yesterday and I’m ready to go,” said a humble MacInnis after Monday’s Amerks practice as Rochester prepares to embark on a four-game homestand with matchups against Utica and Belleville this week.

 

Ready to go seems to be an understatement in this scenario. Four games in four nights, one off day and MacInnis was right back at practice at The Blue Cross Arena on Monday morning with the Amerks.

 

WATCH: RYAN MacINNIS AFTER MONDAY'S PRACTICE

 

Following Monday’s practice, Amerks head coach Seth Appert indicated he gave MacInnis the option to opt out of one of the games over the weekend. When MacInnis refused Appert’s initial offer, the head coach then mentioned not coming into practice on Monday.

 

Again, MacInnis refused and continued to show up for his teammates.

 

“I think it says how much he cares about his teammates and how much his teammates care about him,” commented Appert when asked about where MacInnis is at mentally. “It’s funny, I gave him the option of practice today, too, because of the four in four. He went out there and skated and he had a great practice. So, I just think he’s in a really good spot right now with his game but also mentally and with his teammates.”

 

MacInnis then pretty much echoed what Appert said about the minimal off days, reinforcing that he doesn’t need an off day when his teammates need him more.

 

“Just showing up for the guys. I mean they do a lot for me, so I just try to do my best for them and be there and try to help the team win.”

 

With the Amerks this season, MacInnis has played in all but one games for Rochester. In those 28 games, MacInnis has notched 18 points with eight goals and 10 assists while racking up four multi-point efforts. Additionally, MacInnis has five goals and four assists through his last 10 games played in an Amerks sweater.

 

As MacInnis has played whenever he’s needed, he’s also played wherever he’s needed throughout the course of the 2021-22 campaign as well. No matter what Appert and staff have thrown at MacInnis, he’s continued to grow in every area of his game while increasing is speed immensely.

 

“It seems like every couple of weeks, or months, he’s making another step in his game right now.”

 

WATCH: SETH APPERT AFTER MONDAY'S PRACTICE

 

Appert then focused on the exact areas as to where he’s seen Macinnis grow by saying, “He’s gotten faster as the season has gone on, which is impressive. He’s increased his speed, he’s playing a faster paced game, he’s being used in every situation. He’s played center, he’s played wing, he’s played on the power-play, he’s become one of our best penalty killers and our penalty kill has been really strong as of late.”

 

After skating in an NHL career-high 16 games with the Columbus Blue Jackets last season, MacInnis has found himself bouncing back and forth between the Amerks and Sabres this season with the NHL’s optional reimplementation of the taxi squad a few weeks ago. MacInnis has now been recalled to the taxi squad once and most recently made his Sabres debut against the San Jose Sharks last Thursday.

With the way that MacInnis has continued to make strides this season, Appert is proud of the work that the forward has put in and only knows that he’s so close to being in the NHL on a more regular basis.

 

“I just can’t say enough about how much his game has grown this year. I think his confidence is exuding from him right now, so I’m really very pleased and proud of the work he’s put in this year to earn another NHL opportunity and scratch on the door to be more regular there.”