nivek_wahs
11-30-2007, 10:27 AM
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/sports/story.html?id=8706c286-4689-48f5-ab37-0cdead53c661&k=66504
Ofukany faces team-imposed suspension
Greg Harder, Leader-Post
Published: Friday, November 30, 2007
The Regina Pats have slapped veteran left-winger Troy Ofukany with a team-imposed suspension for the second time this season.
As a result, the WHL club will be without one of its top players for two home games this weekend -- tonight against the Medicine Hat Tigers and Saturday versus the Kootenay Ice. Pats GM Brent Parker said the disciplinary action stems from an off-ice incident that involved breaking minor "team rules."
"He knew what they were so he'll miss a couple games," explained Parker. "It's nothing serious but there are things that creep in. The guys know. They understand what's acceptable and what's not. They set the rules themselves early in the year, what the punishment is and how it fits the crime. There's no grudge or no carryover affect (for Ofukany). He'll sit his two games and we'll look forward to getting him back on Tuesday (against the visiting Brandon Wheat Kings)."
In discussing the big picture of Ofukany's punishment, Parker cited the manner in which the Grey Cup-champion Saskatchewan Roughriders have cleaned up their organization in the past year. Under the leadership of GM Eric Tillman and Kent Austin, the Riders' players are held accountable for their actions -- on the field and in the community.
"Our guys should understand -- if they don't, they will now -- that no one person is going to be above what we're trying to do as a team," said Parker. "I think that's something that Kent preached all year and early in the year (when he) benched some guys who weren't performing or weren't holding up their end of the bargain. I think it pays dividends down the road. We believe strongly that Troy is going to be a big part of any success we have ... but we need everybody pulling in the same direction."
Ofukany and fellow veteran Josh Elder were healthy scratches on Nov. 14 against Medicine Hat due to what was described by head coach Curtis Hunt as "internal issues." Afterwards, Ofukany played some of his most-inspired hockey of the season, scoring three goals in four games, including a pair of game-winners.
He now has six goals and nine assists for 15 points in 17 games. He missed 11 contests early this season due to a knee injury.
"We need Troy to be on-side in every respect," added Parker.
"We need that physical junk-yard dog kind of guy. He had gotten away from that. The last two or three games on the trip I thought he did a real good job of finishing checks and going to the net and bringing the physicality in his game up to where it needs to be. And he was rewarded for it. We need more from him. Six goals isn't enough, but he has come on in the right direction. We need him to do that for us to have success in the second half."
© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2007
Ofukany faces team-imposed suspension
Greg Harder, Leader-Post
Published: Friday, November 30, 2007
The Regina Pats have slapped veteran left-winger Troy Ofukany with a team-imposed suspension for the second time this season.
As a result, the WHL club will be without one of its top players for two home games this weekend -- tonight against the Medicine Hat Tigers and Saturday versus the Kootenay Ice. Pats GM Brent Parker said the disciplinary action stems from an off-ice incident that involved breaking minor "team rules."
"He knew what they were so he'll miss a couple games," explained Parker. "It's nothing serious but there are things that creep in. The guys know. They understand what's acceptable and what's not. They set the rules themselves early in the year, what the punishment is and how it fits the crime. There's no grudge or no carryover affect (for Ofukany). He'll sit his two games and we'll look forward to getting him back on Tuesday (against the visiting Brandon Wheat Kings)."
In discussing the big picture of Ofukany's punishment, Parker cited the manner in which the Grey Cup-champion Saskatchewan Roughriders have cleaned up their organization in the past year. Under the leadership of GM Eric Tillman and Kent Austin, the Riders' players are held accountable for their actions -- on the field and in the community.
"Our guys should understand -- if they don't, they will now -- that no one person is going to be above what we're trying to do as a team," said Parker. "I think that's something that Kent preached all year and early in the year (when he) benched some guys who weren't performing or weren't holding up their end of the bargain. I think it pays dividends down the road. We believe strongly that Troy is going to be a big part of any success we have ... but we need everybody pulling in the same direction."
Ofukany and fellow veteran Josh Elder were healthy scratches on Nov. 14 against Medicine Hat due to what was described by head coach Curtis Hunt as "internal issues." Afterwards, Ofukany played some of his most-inspired hockey of the season, scoring three goals in four games, including a pair of game-winners.
He now has six goals and nine assists for 15 points in 17 games. He missed 11 contests early this season due to a knee injury.
"We need Troy to be on-side in every respect," added Parker.
"We need that physical junk-yard dog kind of guy. He had gotten away from that. The last two or three games on the trip I thought he did a real good job of finishing checks and going to the net and bringing the physicality in his game up to where it needs to be. And he was rewarded for it. We need more from him. Six goals isn't enough, but he has come on in the right direction. We need him to do that for us to have success in the second half."
© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2007