Despite John Tortorella’s strong emphasis on morning skis being optional, Noah Keats, along with a few other pilots, rarely stays off the ice.
much to the coach’s chagrin.
“It pisses me off that he’s on the ice,” Tortorella said Sunday morning, gazing toward the rink from upstairs at the Flyers Training Center. “I’m going to ban these things because it’s now routine for these guys and it’s so wrong.”
A 23-year-old rookie forward, Cates knows his body will soon need a rest during game mornings if he is to be efficient during a full NHL season. He hasn’t played 82 games like this, so he will heed his coach’s advice in the future.
“I’m definitely going to move forward,” Cates said Sunday of taking fewer morning skates. “But I would kind of like to say the hockey gods will reward you if you make this work.
“It’s definitely a different approach from college where you get three or four days to prepare or rest or whatever. You just have to look ahead at the schedule and really prepare and mentally focus on the road ahead.”
But the hard-working and often smiling Keats cannot forget his team-building values. Tortorella, an old-school coach, will likely appreciate the first coach on the team who aims to forge an identity with the Flyers.
“I think that’s something you have to do when you’re younger, do some extra work, help clean up,” Cates said. “You can’t always make the choice to skate when you’re younger, but once or twice here or there, I think it’ll be fine for me.”
Keats was He prepared well over the course of a four-year college career at Minnesota-Duluth It is displayed with flyers. After winning a job at training camp, Keats was the Flyers’ best defensive tackle. He plays 17:45 minutes per game, mostly against the opposing team’s top lines, has a plus-4 rating, committed just one penalty and leads the Flyers in takeaways with 26.
But his humility is admirable. He sees great importance in taking on the responsibilities of a rookie.
“I think packing on the road as well, you don’t want to forget something big,” Cates said. “I think it’s just something you can control. There are so many things you can’t control in this game and in this world. Only something you can control — attitude, effort, doing the little things, always doing those things.
“Even when I was older at UMD, I still try to do these things because it helps the team, it helps the culture. Around this locker room, around the rink, these things go a long way, I think, to a degree building the culture here like we talk a lot. , and raise that level. Just the little things, go a long way.”
Tortorella was completely unfamiliar with Cates when he was named the Flyers’ head coach in June. He’s now asking Keats to play quarterback, kill penalties and get involved in the power play.
Suffice it to say he became a fan.
“I didn’t know anyone when I came here,” Tortorella said, “I didn’t know who Noah Keats was, but he’s evolved into this position, and he deserves it.” “We try to be as fair as possible with our ratings of players and give them ice time accordingly. Whatever it gets, it deserves it.”
As the second half begins, Tortorella will be watching the minutes the Flyers give Keats and other younger players.
Cates put up 17 points (five goals and 12 assists) in 41 games. Over time, the Flyers would like to see more offense, but his consistency and intelligence on the defensive side of the puck have been key factors for the club to reduce goals against him.
Cates turned out Skinny 2017 Fifth Round High School Draft In the NHL difference maker He impressed the entire Flyers hockey operations department.
“I watch his subtle little steps, just a few steps to put himself in a defensive position or to get the puck out of our end zone on a penetrating pass. Just subtle little plays that are hard to teach,” Tortorella said. “That’s his nature, that’s his strength. Ultimately, as he continues to grow, we’ll put more pressure on him to make more offensive plays and the offensive part of it.”
“But the first thing is to let him work through this and continue to grow as a player that way, playing against all the top players this year. He’s always on the ice against the top guys. He’s done a great job developing and eventually we’ll add to it.”
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