http://www.chicagotribune.com/sport...lackhawks-haugh-spt-0721-20170720-column.html
[h=1]Blackhawks prospect Alex DeBrincat relishes challenge of meeting expectations[/h]
Blackhawks prospect Alex DeBrincat talks about his development and chances to make the team next season. (Chris Hine/Chicago Tribune)
David HaughContact ReporterChicago Tribune
After watching helplessly as Alex DeBrincat encountered yet another on-ice skirmish, an exasperated Jen Santos wondered why opponents consistently picked on the Erie Otters' leading scorer.
So Santos, who along with husband Ron served as DeBrincat's billet family the last two seasons in Erie, pulled aside teammate Dylan Strome, who also lived in their home.
"And Dylan just laughed,'' Jen recalled in a phone interview. "He said, 'It's because Alex started it. Alex is always starting it.'''
The memory brought a smile of affirmation to DeBrincat's face Thursday before the last day of
Blackhawks prospect camp. DeBrincat takes as much pride in getting under players' skins as he does putting pucks in the net. The camp roster lists DeBrincat at 5-foot-7 and 165 pounds, but they must have removed the chip on his shoulder before weighing him.
"I have one, kind of,'' DeBrincat acknowledged. "My thing is, I play bigger than I am so I wasn't going to let anybody push me around. People started knowing that. I like being in the scrums and the dirty areas.''
Around the Santos house, they measured DeBrincat's determination a different way.
"We used to kid him that he's 5-7 but plays like he's 6-7,'' Ron Santos said. "Throw a punch and Alex will throw one back. Slash him, he'll slash back. He's not going to back down.''
He's only going to get bigger in Chicago with that attitude.
In the Year of the Prospect for our city's sports teams, DeBrincat deserves to be the Hawk most likely to face exaggerated expectations. He is to the Hawks what Yoan Moncada is the
White Sox, what Mitchell Trubisky is to the Bears and what Kris Bryant and Kyle Schwarber were to the Cubs; the ballyhooed, budding star whose development schedule can spark a debate in living rooms and barrooms all over town. Plug in the 19-year-old left-winger immediately or bring him along slower at Rockford? Play DeBrincat alongside Patrick Kane or Jonathan Toews?
Opportunity exists on a Hawks team in flux, particularly for an offensive-minded puck magician with an innate ability who can make an impact in today's
NHL like other speedy and skilled smallish players have.
"There still is a size factor in the game but I think I can do as much as the next guy,'' DeBrincat said. "For me, it's not a problem. But, to everyone else, it seems like a concern.''
Photos from the Blackhawks' prospect camp at Johnny's Ice House on July 17, 2017.
Goalies should be especially worried. After scoring a whopping 65 goals in 63 games and being named the Most Outstanding Player of the Ontario Hockey League, DeBrincat accepts he remains a long shot to make the Hawks roster at training camp. But DeBrincat didn't go from playing high school hockey at Lake Forest Academy three years ago to having the Hawks select him with the 39th overall choice of the 2016 NHL draft by thinking small.
"Last year at training camp I was pretty nervous even knowing I wasn't going to make the team because I wanted to make an impact This year I'm excited because I know what to expect,'' said DeBrincat, the top American goal scorer in OHL history with 167 in three seasons. "I'll go into camp trying to make the Hawks and, if not, Rockford is a great place for me to develop too.''
History says hockey destiny will find DeBrincat, who an OHL scout discovered at Lake Forest Academy while looking at a defenseman. The native of Farmington Hills, Mich., landed with the Otters, where he played alongside
Coyotes center Strome — DeBrincat's closest friend — for three seasons and
Oilers captain Connor McDavid, who just signed a $100 million contract, for one. All three remain buddies, bonded by their Erie experience.
"Connor would do everything at top speed and it helped me to play with someone that fast. Dylan, while not as fast, was just as smart and helped me find areas that were open,'' DeBrincat said. "Those guys helped me evolve and mature. I picked up anything I could. I also saw how they weathered the storm in handling all the attention.''
Obviously, DeBrincat learned well. In a 30-minute conversation, the confident teenager displayed a mixture of humility and humor that will come in handy as his profile expands in one of the NHL's brightest markets.
He praised the sacrifices of his parents David and Tracey and the example of his brother, Andrew, a senior defenseman at American International University. He recalled his first hockey memory, a glove save on a breakaway back when he was a goalie. He revealed his name is really pronounced "De-brin-kit.'' He shared his love for roller hockey, country music and sushi, and how he can't sleep in past 8 a.m. anymore because of his commitment to conditioning. He sheepishly admitted being a
Red Wings fan growing up and idolizing
Steve Yzerman and
Pavel Datsyuk, allegiances that made attending high school in Hawks country interesting.
"I didn't really like the Hawks too much when I was at Lake Forest,'' DeBrincat said. "But it's easy to change your mind when you're drafted by such a great organization that's giving you a chance to make your dreams come true.''
The reality? DeBrincat is causing a stir again — and he started it.
dhaugh@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @DavidHaugh
