Wojtek Wolski Interview: W.W. Part 2

A first round pick in 2004, Wojtek Wolski is the youngest player on the Colorado Avalanche. After making a healthy impression in 2005-06, Wolski was returned to the OHL after nine games. This season, he came into camp determined to make the club, to prove he belonged in the NHL the second time around. By the end of the season, Wolski finished fourth in rookie scoring with 50 points and fifth in rookie goals with 22. McKeen's recently had the chance to talk with Wolski following a regular season game against the Sabres, where he scored the game-winning goal.

McKeen's: Can you comment on your brief audition last year with the Avalanche and what you took from the experience?

Wolski: It was a great experience. I mean I really wanted to stick around longer than I did, as you never want to be sent down but I was happy to get the games that I did and especially play in the playoffs.

McKeen's: It must have felt good that you could play in the NHL and contribute offensively?

Wolski: It is always the biggest question mark if you can step in and produce. Fortunately, I was able to do that given the circumstances and situations they put me in. It really helped to establish my confidence to know that I am capable of scoring.

McKeen's: Returning to junior, coupled with not being invited to the World Juniors, did that motivate you further to prove everybody wrong?

Wolski: I wanted to make that world junior team and the fact that I didn't get the chance drove me to succeed. I would have to agree that it helped me play better down the stretch last year with the Battalion.

McKeen's: You had a great playoff with the Battalion and then immediately joined the Avalanche for their opening-round series against Dallas. You played exceptional throughout the series especially in Game 1, in which you scored three points. Can you describe that emotional roller coaster when you actually beat Dallas, a team that many thought you could not beat?

Wolski: It was unreal. I mean the intensity of the games and then to come out on top was great. We had some close games in that series and it could have gone either way. We took that momentum into the next round and even though we didn't advance, it gave us young guys a sense of how hard you have to work to win at that level.

McKeen's: How different was camp this year? Nothing is a given at this level but you had to have a strong sense that you were going to make the team.

Wolski: I don't know if I had a good feeling about making the team initially. Of course I tried to play well and focus on things that management brought up last year as concerns. I knew that they would give me ample icetime and opportunities to prove myself, which helped out immensely.

McKeen's: What is it like to play alongside Joe Sakic?

Wolski: He is such a class act through and through. He has been in the league so long and is a sure fire Hall of Fame player. It is fun to be around him, see what he does and learn from him.

McKeen's: Who has helped you the most as far as developing your skills?

Wolski: I don't think it is anyone on our team. I have a stickhandling coach back home whose name is Gary Bruskey and I have been attending his school for the past ten years.

McKeen's: Putting up the points has never been a problem for you. How would you say your defensive game and play away from the puck has improved?

Wolski: It is getting better. At times, there are little breakdowns and the game moves so fast that you have to be quick and proactive as opposed to reactive. They are trying to help me and make me a better player, reviewing video is a tool that we often use.

McKeen's: What was the message that coach Quenneville wanted to instil in you when he recently sat you off a contest?

Wolski: Coach Quenneville is very fair and he thought I was not playing to my potential. He wanted me to know that it is a privilege to play and there are still certain things I need to be aware of. I think I have done a good job paying attention to the system and doing as instructed.