SIMPLICITY IS KEY AMONG D CORE CHAOS

Nov 1, 2022

By Emily Wade

 

It’s just seven games into the new season for the Rochester Americans and already 11 defenseman have suited up for Rochester. Lawrence Pilut, Kale Clague, and Jeremy Davies were all recalled by the Buffalo Sabres due to injury.

 

But Rochester has dealt with injuries of its own: Chase Priskie (upper body) and Peter Tischke (lower body) were both ruled out in the same weekend.

 

“It was really exciting for about three games there,” assistant coach Mike Weber joked after practice on Tuesday.

 

“Obviously, it’s still very exciting in its own manner now,” Weber continued. “That’s why you coach in the American Hockey League: you have to be on your toes.”

 

Weber and staff are familiar with scrambling to find players to fill our their lineup after the last two covid-effected seasons.

 

But they were very fortunate that a guy like Brandon Davidson was available. “He’s a grinder, a warrior,” Weber said.

“We need that leadership from him. He’s familiar with a lot of guys in our group, so he just has to come in and be himself: a hard defender.”

 

Brandon Davidson dealt with injuries of his own last season, but suited up for 23 regular season and six Calder Cup Playoff games for the Amerks. He added six points to his campaign, but more importantly was a big leader in the locker room.   

 

His leadership is especially welcome because of how young the forward group is.

 

“They have to be the drivers,” Weber explained. “They have to put our players — our forward group — in situations to succeed."

 

To do that, the defensemen need to keep it simple.

 

“The more simple and direct you can play, it helps the forwards be more predictable with the puck.”

 

 

It’s clear that they had simplicity in mind when they signed veteran defenseman Matt Bartkowski to a professional tryout. When asked what fans can expect from him, he responded: “Simple, hard-nosed hockey. That’s it.”

 

Bartkowski played in all 72 games for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins last season, adding 16 points (4+12). Originally drafted in 2008, Bartkowski brings experience from 430 AHL games and 256 NHL games.

 

For the Amerks, Bartkowski provides a steadying presence to the blue line. Even just through one game, Weber appreciates his demeanor on the bench, his questions, and the way he can retain and apply information.

 

“With the roster in flux like it is, it puts the chaos to rest when you have guys like Brandon and Matt coming in,” Weber said. Guys who make the coaches jobs a little bit easier because they don’t take very long to get up to speed with the systems.

 

Bartkowski noted that the message to him before his first game was simply: “Go play.” And according to Weber, the ease of that messaging is a testament to the organization, especially general manager Jason Karmanos, finding quality guys.

 

“We’re going after character people… over skill, a lot of times, in those different situations,” Weber said.

“We need character guys who are willing to come in and do a job and put the team first. Be an Amerk.”

 

They’ve found two character guys who they’re fortunate to have on the back end. Both Davidson and Bartkowski will make their Blue Cross Arena debut for this season on Wednesday night against the Syracuse Crunch.