USHL: QA with Luke Witkowski

Ohio Junior Blue Jackets defenseman Luke Witkowski has not always played on the backend and he is still learning the nuances of the position, but his skating prowess makes him one of the most mobile young blueliners in the USHL. Add in the fact that the Holland, Mich., native is 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, can play a physical game, and handles the puck well, and one has the makings of a strong prospect defenseman. McKeen's recently had the opportunity to chat with Witkowski and talked about his transition to the USHL, his development in various organizations in Western Michigan, his commitment to Western Michigan University, those that have most helped his move to defense, and his favorite Detroit Red Wings.

McKeen's: You are a little over halfway through your first USHL season. What have some of the biggest adjustments been for you coming from midget AAA with Team nXi, to the Ohio Junior Blue Jackets?

Witkowski: Definitely the speed, people move the puck a lot quicker, a lot smarter players, pretty much the top players in midget AAA moving up and other league's top players moving up. So, it's a lot quicker.

McKeen's: What are some areas of your game that you have been concentrating on in improving?

Witkowski: Definitely moving the puck, being smarter with the puck. I mean, the best part of my game is skating, so I've got to work on handling the puck.

McKeen's: What do you feel are some of the strengths of your game?

Witkowski: I'm physical, like I said, I'm a good skater, always 110 percent every shift.

McKeen's: I'd definitely agree with the skating aspect from what I've seen of you. What type of defenseman do you consider yourself or do you want to be?

Witkowski: I'd say an offensive defenseman. I'm learning a lot more about defense. A couple years back I played forward, I've always been a forward and an offensive defenseman. So, I guess that's what I'm going to be.

McKeen's: At what point did you make, or who encouraged you to make that decision to try defense?

Witkowski: I really don't know. They put me on the powerplay as a defenseman a couple years ago when I just started playing defense. I don't really know what coach.

McKeen's: What organization was it with?

Witkowski: I think it was the Grand Rapids Griffins, an AA travel team in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

McKeen's: No doubt named after the American Hockey League team. Obviously, Michigan players have some options with the high school route and the midget AA or AAA route, although if you are going to go the USHL route, it's going to be AAA. What made you decide to go the midget AAA route and then also why Team nXi?

Witkowski: Well, actually, my school back home didn't have a high school hockey team. I played in Kalamazoo last year, that was the only team on my side of the state that I could play. I didn't want to drive to Detroit, and I didn't want to move as a sophomore or as a junior. So, that was the closest and most convenient.

McKeen's: Seems to have worked out. What are some of the parts of your game that developed the most while you were with Team nXi?

Witkowski: I definitely got smarter in a year. I got better in moving the puck, I even got better skating, more confidence in my game.

McKeen's: This year, Team nXi is part of the Midwest Elite League, whereas prior they were an independent. In your opinion, in what ways is that good for the organization? What are your thoughts on that?

Witkowski: We were supposed to be in it last year, but there were questions on it. Our coach said we were supposed to get in. That's cool and all, but if you're playing the teams in the league, there's going to be scouts in the stands and you're still playing good competition. It's good for the program. I think their midget minor team will be in there next year, and probably the bantam major and minor teams will also. I think it'll help the program out.

McKeen's: It is also an interesting location with the way teams are distributed in that league with the teams around Chicago and the teams around Detroit, and then there is Team nXi in the middle. With Team nXi, it used to be the West Michigan Warriors. Tell me about that change, if you know.

Witkowski: I actually played one year with them when I was, I think I was a pee wee. We were the last place team in the league, because they were never a good program. I think they kind of finally realized that it wasn't going anywhere. So, some of the people that were in that program moved to nXi, Kalamazoo. They were in Grand Rapids, but they moved to a different rink in Grand Rapids, different owner and everything, but I think that's just done.

McKeen's: You committed to Western Michigan last February. When did you start talking with WMU, what was the recruiting process that coach Jim Culhane led you through, and what made you decide that becoming a Bronco was right for you?

Witkowski: Well, I grew up and the first college I ever saw, I was a squirt with the Ice Dogs out of Holland, Michigan, we took a tour of Western Michigan's locker. I think I was ten years old, I just loved it, and it was always my dream school. I had heard that they were asking my coach about me last year and one of my old coaches from travel hockey knew [Jim] Culhane, so they were talking and they wanted to meet with me. So, we got the meeting and they made an offer to me, and I thought about it. It was my dream school, I don't know, I don't think I can get much better. I've always wanted to go there, so that's why I chose it.

McKeen's: I guess the parents will not have many excuses to not catch some of the games.

Witkowski: Yep, only an hour away.

McKeen's: What were some of the other programs that showed interest in you, that perhaps you considered, or were there any others considered?

Witkowski: I think Bowling Green was interested and Ferris State and Lake Superior State. I didn't talk to many other coaches, so I don't know besides that.

McKeen's: You have a couple fellow Ohio defensemen here that are fairly skilled, like yourself, Greg Pateryn and Steve Spinell. Tell me a bit about them and their games, in your opinion.

Witkowski: I watch Pateryn play and it amazes me. He's so smart with the puck. I learn stuff from him, watching him move the puck. Spinell is a solid defenseman, he's leading the team in plus/minus, he's dependable, hard shot. Same with Pateryn, both physical players. Good guys to be with too, good friends.

McKeen's: Your team has an interesting situation because you are linked with the NHL Columbus Blue Jackets. Tell me about that, what sort of advantages do you feel it gives you or how it makes things different.

Witkowski: Well, I'd heard that our team is the most scouted junior team because, obviously, we're in the Blue Jackets' rink, so there's an NHL scout or someone watching every game. I've seen [Ken] Hitchcock at a couple of our games.

McKeen's: Not a lot of excuses not to catch you guys if they are already there. Tell me more about your hockey path prior to Team nXi, because it sounds like you have jumped around a little bit.

Witkowski: I started in house my first year, I was eight years old. And then I went and played travel for three years, played in the Little Caesar's league in Michigan, and then I played a year of AAA with West Michigan, then I went back to AA travel for two years, then I came to nXi and now I'm here.

McKeen's: And the AA was with the Grand Rapids Griffins?

Witkowski: Yeah, but I always played a couple years up, age wise.

McKeen's: That can be helpful in the development. Speaking of development, who have been some of the people who have been the most influential in helping you get to the point where you are today?

Witkowski: Definitely my coach last year, Steve Lowe, and Mike Bynski they both helped me a lot, and my game. Josh Harrold (assistant coach of the Junior Blue Jackets) is helping me a lot now. My parents helped me a lot, too. They're always there for me, supportive, same with all the coaches I mentioned. There's too many names to say, but Steve Lowe and my coaches from last year helped a lot.

McKeen's: Lastly, who were your favorite players growing up and why?

Witkowski: In the NHL?

McKeen's: Sure.

Witkowski: I always liked Steve Yzerman. I love Detroit. Datsyuk, he's a new player, so not as much growing up, but he's very good. Nicklas Lidstrom is my favorite defenseman. He has such poise and is patient with the puck and plays a perfect game, always high in plus/minus. He's a great defenseman.