Mar 10, 2014; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames defenseman Tyler Wotherspoon (56) and Los Angeles Kings center Tyler Toffoli (73) fight for position during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
How would you describe Calgary Flames defenseman Tyler Wotherspoon? In this July 2013 Calgary Sun article, here’s how Calgary Flames Special Assistant to the GM Craig Conroy describes the 21 year old 6’2″ 210 pound’er:
"“If you’re not a flashy, flashy, defenceman, it’s not the cool thing compared to a forward or a goalie…“If you’re a stay-at-home defenceman that can join the rush, make the good first pass, doesn’t get beat one-on-one, very sound, it doesn’t stand out.“Guys don’t say, ‘He’s unbelievable,’ but he’s a solid, good player.“He’ll be in there night in and night out.“He does everything well.“He doesn’t do anything where you say, ‘Wow,’ but he’s good at everything and he knows the game.“He’s played for good teams.“He’s hard to beat.“I don’t see him being an big offensive guy, but he’ll be a guy who has a chance to play in the NHL.”"
Tyler Wotherspoon did get his chance to play in the NHL with the Calgary Flames last season debuting on March 7th against the New York Islanders. Wotherspoon played in a total of 14 games for our Flames last season collecting 4 assists and 17 blocked shots. His play personified the above comments made by Craig Conroy eight months prior to his debut.
Tyler Wotherspoon is a great example of an age old debate – – whether tis nobler for the mind to practice in the NHL and body to rest in press boxes OR to take arms against a sea of AHL players and sharpen his skills by opposing them.
I would love to type out the cliché “If Wotherspoon has a solid training camp and pre-season, the youngster is a lock for a roster spot” and believe it…but I don’t. The cliché that works best for Wotherspoon is “Tyler will be the first defenseman recalled from Adirondack during the course of the regular season“.
That’s not a knock against Mr. Wotherspoon. It’s more a statement of belief that the Calgary Flames will ride into the season with Mark Giordano, TJ Brodie, Dennis Wideman, Kris Russell, Ladislav Smid, and Deryk Engelland as their core six defenseman. If the recent invite of 33 year old Sheldon Brookbank to training camp is to be taken as any sort of signal, the signal is that Flames would much rather have their plethora of up and coming defenseman (led by Wotherspoon) start the 2014-15 season in the AHL.
Agree or disagree?