The road Shaun Heshka has taken included several twists and turns and even a bump on the head.
That bump and subsequent concussion occurred during a car accident before Heshka, then a rookie defenceman, had played a game for the Manitoba Moose.
"It's funny, the very first time he came to us he had trouble getting here. He rolled his car and got a concussion and couldn't practice for a couple of weeks," said Moose head coach Scott Arniel, who coached Heshka for three seasons. "He slept in a couple times after that and he had a tough start as a Moose, but I told him he had to change his ways and be professional and he did a great job.
"He was one of the first guys here in the mornings and he ended up being a really good leader for us. He played a large role over the years and it's an unfortunate situation he couldn't stay here."
After three seasons with the Moose, Heshka was traded by the Vancouver Canucks to the Phoenix Coyotes. He signed a one-year contract and was excited about the opportunity to join a new organization -- after the initial shock wore off.
"It's always tough leaving a place you've played for three years and a place I consider my home," said Heshka, a 24-year-old from Melville, Sask. "The transition has been OK."
The mobile blue-liner is having a strong season with the San Antonio Rampage and that helped him earn his first chance to play in the NHL.
"It was just an awesome experience," Heshka said. "My first game was in Anaheim and it was special, with guys like Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu, guys you grew up watching.
"I had the butterflies going and I didn't want to screw up so I tried to play a safe game."
Heshka played eight games and recorded two assists. He was even credited with his first NHL goal before officials later ruled that Radim Vrbata tipped in Heshka's shot.
"I almost got my first goal, I had it originally in St. Louis and I got off the ice and did a TV interview between periods and all the coaches came over and shook my hand," said Heshka. "Then they took it away in the second period and the coaches came back and said 'now you've got to get one.' That's the way it goes."
After playing the role of complementary part with the Moose, Heshka arrived in San Antonio as one of the more experienced guys on the back end.
"It's kind of weird, I'm so used to being one of the younger guys on the team," said Heshka. "But when I got here and I talked to the coaching staff, they told me I had the most (pro) games played as a D-man. It was kind of a shock for me.
"I'm kind of an older guy on the team now and I'm leaned on for pretty much every situation here. It's a lot of ice, but I try to make the most of it. It's fun. I think I play better with lots of ice and you've got to love the opportunity to play."
ken.wiebe@sunmedia.ca
