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Mursak hungry for more
By Sarah Lindenau - RedWingsCentral.com / September 7, 2009Jan Mursak is hoping he does a lot less sitting and a lot more scoring this season.
The 5-foot-11, 173-pound left-winger is coming off a trying rookie campaign in the American Hockey League. He produced just two goals and seven assists in 51 games with the Grand Rapids Griffins and his lack of production pushed him to the fourth line and often into the press box as a healthy scratch.
When he did play, it wasn't always the kind of ice time that allowed him to notch 144 points in 119 games in the Ontario Hockey League.
"It was hard to play five minutes a game," he said. "I was frustrated sometimes."
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| Jan Mursak is hungry for more after a frustrating rookie campaign in the AHL. More photos from Sunday's prospects tournament » |
Mursak, a Slovenian drafted 182nd overall in 2006, tried to make the most of it.
"The sitting was really hard on me," said Mursak, who boasts a dynamic array of offensive skill. "I am like a fighter and I know what I want, so I worked extra hard in the gym when I didn't play and I got much stronger."
The 21-year-old has changed his off-season preparation after a bad experience two summers ago. Entering his OHL sophomore campaign, he increased his weight from 167 to 190 pounds. He ended up feeling winded faster and the added weight affected his skating ability, making him less effective overall.
"It's not about getting bigger so much as it is getting stronger," Mursak said. "The second half of this last season I gained weight and it was pretty good and now I know what I need to do in the gym to get stronger."
Mursak picked up an assist in a 6-4 win over the Atlanta Thrashers on Sunday at the annual prospects tournament in Traverse City, Mich.. He played on a gifted top line with Cory Emmerton and Tomas Tatar and the unit was part of a comeback from a 4-1 deficit as the Red Wings scored five unanswered goals in the third period. Emmerton had a goal and an assist and Tatar scored twice.
"I really like to play with that line," Mursak said. "Cory is smart and can pass the puck, Tatar is a goal-scorer and I bring speed and energy."
Mursak is hoping his strong play in the opening game of the tournament will continue throughout training camp and eventually into the season. He hopes to step up in the wake of the losses of Darren Haydar and Ville Leino.
"I know I can play on the first two lines," Mursak said. "I have been working hard all summer and I want to have a strong season in Grand Rapids."
GETTING HIS CHANCE: Francis Pare has every reason to be excited.
The 5-foot-10, 185-pound forward signed an entry-level contract with the Red Wings late last season after an impressive AHL rookie campaign while on a tryout with Grand Rapids. He put up 47 points in 61 games.
"It was awesome," said Pare, who skated with Dick Axelsson and Landon Ferraro on Sunday and had two assists. "The contract I signed with Grand Rapids gave me the best chance of my life. I tried to play my best hockey and have some fun."
The Lemoyne, Quebec, native played roller hockey in the off-season.
"I love that game," Pare said. "I was having some fun with the guys and playing outside. I had a couple of tournaments back home too."
The 22-year-old also worked hard on his strength and conditioning, concentrating mostly on his leg strength to increase his speed. Skating has long been the knock against Pare, who was never drafted despite big junior numbers.
"Detroit told me that if I want to play in the NHL, I have to improve my speed," he said. "So I was working on that in the gym and stayed off the ice."
NOTES
— As is typical for the Red Wings prospect teams, there are three alternate captains and no captain. Cory Emmerton, Jan Mursak and Logan Pyett got the nod.
— Prospects Stephen Johnston and Gleason Fournier and goaltender Chris Whitley were healthy scratches for the Red Wings.
— Sergei Kolosov's penalty early in the third period almost derailed the Wings comeback bid. The 6-foot-4, 204-pound defender had held onto an Atlanta player for nearly 10 seconds during a battle for the puck.
— Tomas Tatar fit right in on the top line and Atlanta had a tough time containing him. He also took a high stick to the mouth and cut his lip.
— Dick Axelsson took a puck to the foot and missed part of the first period. He returned later in the game but sought treatment after the game.
— Logan Pyett had a tough first outing. He looked a bit shaky and committed several key turnovers that gave the Thrashers offensive chances.
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The next wave
RWC's top 10 prospects (2009-10 preliminary)
| 01 | F | Tomas Tatar » | Grand Rapids (AHL) |
| 02 | D | Jakub Kindl » | Grand Rapids (AHL) |
| 03 | D | Brendan Smith » | Wisconsin (NCAA) |
| 04 | G | Thomas McCollum » | Grand Rapids (AHL) |
| 05 | F | Gustav Nyquist » | Maine (NCAA) |
| 06 | F | Landon Ferraro » | Red Deer (WHL) |
| 07 | F | Jan Mursak » | Grand Rapids (AHL) |
| 08 | F | Cory Emmerton » | Grand Rapids (AHL) |
| 09 | F | Joakim Andersson » | Frolunda (SEL) |
| 10 | F | Mattias Ritola » | Grand Rapids (AHL) |