Wolski Sparks the Troops
The native of Zabze, Poland, Wojtek
Wolski came out of the deep crop of prospects in the 2002 OHL Priority
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Selection, which included the likes of Robbie
Schremp and Evan McGrath. The third overall pick of the Brampton Battalion
got off to a scorching hot start to his freshman season, playing on the line
with prospect Jay
McClement.
Despite slowing down a bit in the second half to his season, Wolski has emerged
as one of the leading rookie scorers in the Ontario Hockey League, amassing
23 goals and 48 points in 56 games (just five points behind the team's points
leader Kamil
Kreps). Wojtek's impressive production puts him third in the league
rookie scoring, behind Mississuaga's Schremp (62 points) and Sarnia's Danny
Carcillo (57 points).
According to Wolski, playing Junior A eased his transition to major Junior.
Wojtek dominated play in 2001/2002, while a member of St. Michael's Buzzers,
putting up 16 goals and 49 points in only 33 games.
"The transition hasn't been as hard (at first)," says Wolski, "but
in the second half of the season, the game has gotten faster and guys became
stronger."
Among the adjustments to the more demanding OHL, according to Wojtek, was to
fit in well with his new teammates.
"I think that it's (about) getting used to the ages and the attitudes
of the guys around me. You have to pay your dues as a rookie and I've tried
to grasp my responsibilities and learn as much as possible."
While raving about Wolski's upside, the Battalion head coach Stan Butler admits
that Wojtek still has a lot to learn before he develops into a dominant performer
in the league.
"Wojtek has had a very good year. We are very pleased with him - obviously
he is a very good offensive player," says Butler, "He is trying to
work hard on being a better all-around player and he is improving on that on
a weekly basis.
"I think he is going to be an all-star in this league before he is done."
Wolski admits that Butler's tutelage has transformed game and altered his outlook
towards his on-ice responsibilities.
"I think that coming into this season I always thought of myself as a
sniper, but coming into this season Stan Butler has turned me into a two-way
player," notes Wolski, ""he has gotten me to work harder and
has expected constant effort in every game."
Wolski acknowledges that keeping up his impressive production has been harder
as the season has gone on. Developing toughness and a greater endurance is his
greatest intention for the near future.
Up Close and Personal
Although Wojtek Wolski was born in Poland, he was raised in Mississauga, Ontario
where he learned to play hockey. The son of Wes and Zofia, Wolski says that
he grew up idolizing Sergei Fedorov and Peter Forsberg as a kid, because of
their respective talents and an added commitment to defense.