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Spotlight will be brighter on ex-Thrashers
By
KEN WIEBE, QMI Agency
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WINNIPEG - Andrew Ladd understands the spotlight playing in a Canadian market is going to be a lot brighter than what the Atlanta Thrashers were used to.
And the captain of team believes Winnipeg’s new NHL team will embrace life under the microscope.
“It’s such a different atmosphere in Atlanta and for some of the young guys, it’s the only thing they’ve ever known,” Ladd said Wednesday from Vancouver. “I think when they get to Winnipeg and see the atmosphere, not only in the rink but around the town when you’re out and about, it’s going to get them excited and it’s going to be something they’ve never experienced.”
If, as expected, Ladd remains captain, he expects to be in the public eye.
“It’s going to be different for me too, there were times in Atlanta where I’d go games where no reporter would ask me a question,” said Ladd. “There’s going to be a lot of media attention for everybody. We have a lot of young guys who are very open about speaking to the media and making themselves available to not only the media but the fans as well. We have a lot of different characters. They don’t shy away from the cameras.”
Ladd provided insight on two of the core players some fans may not be all that familiar with.
— Goalie Ondrej Pavelec: “He had a breakout year last year and he’s only going to get better. He’s still a young guy who I think can be a superstar in this league.”
— Defenceman Tobias Enstrom: “People in Winnipeg probably don’t know Toby Enstrom that well yet, but he’s an exceptional player. He’s kind of like Nik Lidstrom, who shows patience with the puck. He’s not flashy but he makes great plays and can quarterback the power play.”
