Spencer Machacek - Making a name for himself
The best part about going out on the road is the feeling of coming back home. For Vancouver Giants forward Spencer Machacek, home just happens to be the last stop on the trip when the Giants face off against the Lethbridge Hurricanes on November 5.
"It's kind of highlighted on my list. You got all your friends there watching you, so it's nice to see them and you want to play well in front of them," Machacek said.
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But is he a closet Hurricanes supporter? "No, definitely not a fan," he replied with a smile.
The 6-foot-1, 183-pound right-winger has a lot to smile about these days.
He celebrated his 18th birthday last month and is coming off an impressive rookie year. He managed to notch six goals and eight assists in the Giants playoff run last season and was the co-winner of the team's Progressive Rookie of the Year award with Michal Repik.
The end of this season will mark Machacek's first year of eligibility for the NHL draft, a fact he doesn't want to let become a distraction.
"I'm trying not to think about it. You just play hard and hopefully things turn out for you," he said. "Anything in that league would be great."
So far this season, the gritty forward has put up nine points in the first 15 games, and is comparable to a young Matt Cooke with stronger finish.
One thing that sets Machacek apart from the rest of the 2007 draft class is his seemingly insatiable work ethic. The line of Machacek, left-winger Garet Hunt and centre Mario Bliznak base their game on a dominating forecheck that seems to leave the opposition playing hot potato with the puck in their defensive zone.
"He's a hard-working, reliable guy," Hunt said of Machacek. "He's got some skill and he's got some finish. He can do a little bit of everything; even drop the gloves when he has to."
Machacek's tenacity has not been lost on the Giants coaching staff. Head coach Don Hay echoed Hunt's praises of the pesky right-winger, describing him as an "energy type of guy."
"He competes very hard and he's a real good skater. He gets on people with his speed and he's not afraid to go into those tough areas to score."
Machacek may be at his best in the "tough areas" but he wants to be even better.
Growing up, Machacek was a big fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs, especially Doug Gilmour, who won the Selke trophy in 1993 as the league's best defensive forward.
While Machacek may model his game after his boyhood idol, he knows there are areas of his game he needs to improve upon before he can step up to the next level.
"I know for sure I have to work on my strength down low in the corners," he said. "It's just getting into those dirty areas again and playing the puck."
Hay also had a few words of advice for the youngster.
"He's got to work on his finishing and he's got to be a little bit better when he gets the opportunities in front of the net," Hay said. "I think that he's willing to go there, and that's important."
While Machacek hopes to have a career playing hockey, he also has off-ice talent. He was named the Giants Scholastic Player of the Year last season and says that if he weren't playing hockey he'd consider becoming "a therapist or maybe a player agent."
In his down time, he likes to unwind by playing video games and when he goes on road trips he brings a pack of cards so he can play rummy.
While Machacek sticks to business on the ice, he's seen his fair share of joking around.
"A couple times when I was in Junior A there were some guys that put tape on the bottom of your skates, so that when you go out you fall right over onto the ice," he said.
With scouts from around the league keeping a keen eye on Machacek this year and Vancouver set to host the Memorial Cup, the 18-year-old is being counted on more than ever.
"He's got a lot more confidence when he's on the ice in all different kinds of situations," Hay said. "He really progressed well last year and he's got to keep working hard and improving."
For Hunt, Machacek's competitive streak is what defines him as a player.
"Any time you play against a guy that competes like that it makes it a little tougher on you. But it also pushes me, so if he competes like that he's pushing everybody. He's one of our leaders in that respect."