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Written by PETE MICHAUD

Nolan Baumgartner

As a school-age youngster, nothing quite suited Nolan Baumgartner like an "A" in the classroom. As one of the American Hockey League's top all-around defensemen, however, Baumgartner has found a "C" to be far more to his liking. As the captain of the Norfolk Admirals, Baumgartner has found both his production and the respect he gets from his teammates reaching new heights as he wears the "C' for the blue and gold.

Baumgartner not only finds himself filling the role of captain this season, but has the unenviable task of taking those reigns from Aaron Downey, who carried the "C" for the inaugural Admirals squad. "I don't think anyone will have the impact 'Downer' has," a humble Baumgartner explains. "I just have to do the best I can."

Downey wears a Chicago Blackhawks sweater this year. "In just the short time I've been here, I've noticed a difference in Nolan," said Downey, back in a Norfolk uniform for a mid-season conditioning stint. "He's more forceful, more confident, both on and off the ice. The guys look at him differently. They see he's become a leader, and he's backing it up on the ice."

"I'm not a really loud person, so I was a bit surprised to be voted captain," admits Baumgartner. "Knowing the guys in the locker room think enough of you to give you the "C" means a lot. You always expect something of yourself, but now you know others are expecting something of you also."

After racking up 127 points in 159 games in his final three years in the Western Hockey League, the Calgary native was seen as "can't-miss" prospect before entering the pro ranks. Baumgartner won two Memorial Cup titles with Kamloops and served as captain for Team Canada at the World Junior Championships. It was to no one's surprise that he was tabbed as the 10th overall selection by Washington in the 1994 draft. It was from there, however, that the talented blueliner's career began to detour.

Baumgartner spent four years in the Capitals' system, but totaled only 18 games in the NHL during that time. "He was a solid player at Portland," notes Admirals' General Manager Al MacIsaac, "but he was never given a chance to really show his stuff in the NHL. He became labeled as an AHL player." The Capitals eventually dealt him to the Blackhawks.

"I think I'd become comfortable in Portland," Baumgartner notes. "Going to the 'Hawks and getting some games in the NHL last year helped me remember why we all play this game." Scouts deemed Baumgartner one of the league's smarter players, and they raved about his work ethic. They complained, however, that he needed to be more consistent and become more aggressive around the net. It's a complaint that's rarely been heard this season.

What's the secret? "He's shooting the puck this year," says teammate Matt Henderson. "He's got a sneaky shot and wonderful instincts about when to pinch to the net. Now, he's confident enough to do it. It all changed when he became captain." After potting a modest five goals last year, Baumgartner passed that total this season before New Year's Day. In fact, he bagged five goals in a six-game span alone in late December.

"He doesn't have a booming shot, but he's accurate," explains Admirals head coach Trent Yawney, "and he's smart enough to pick his spots offensively while remembering that defense is still his top priority." Yawney also quickly notes that he, too, has seen Baumgartner's game dramatically improve since donning the "C."

"Being captain is not only a responsibility," Yawney continues. "It's a challenge. 'Baumer' has met and exceeded that challenge."

Unlike many coaches, Yawney doesn't select his club's captain. The players make the selection through a team vote after the first few weeks of the season. Although he wasn't even an alternate captain before the vote was taken, Baumgartner was overwhelmingly chosen by his teammates.

"It's easy to carry yourself with class after a win," says teammate Mike Souza. "Nolan acts like a pro all the time, whether it's how he works on the final shift of a blowout win or how he takes the time to shake a hand or sign an autograph for a kid after we lose."

Despite having his best season, Baumgartner still plays a "quiet" game. It's a style that draws more favorable reviews from his coaches and teammates than the fans. He rarely fights, doesn't deliver knockout body checks and can't offer a 90-mile-per-hour slapshot. It's a style that rarely ends up on the highlight reels. It is, however, a highly effective, but simple style, as simple as A-B-C. For Admirals captain Nolan Baumgartner, you can place the emphasis on the "C."