Gidney back on the blueline
Nick Gidney is looking to find his groove.
The 19-year-old defenceman for the Thorold Blackhawks has been in and out of the lineup this season, missing 10 games due to suspension and injury.
Gidney was assessed a five-game suspension earlier this year and then last month suffered a serious gash in his thigh that required 14 stitches to close.
He returned to the lineup last week and admitted there was some rust.
“It’s frustrating because the first two years I played every game and then this year I’ve missed five games at different points of the season,” said Gidney, a graduate of Denis Morris High School. “It’s tough to miss that many games.
“As soon as I started to get going, I missed a bunch more.”
Gidney tried to keep his edge in practice, but there is nothing like game action.
“It’s different practising than in games,” he said. “In practice, it’s easy to go out there but in games I feel like I can build more momentum in a long stretch of games.”
Blackhawks coach Scott Barnes is thrilled to have Gidney back in the lineup with playoff time just around the corner.
“He’s our No. 1 D man who logs a lot of minutes so it was pretty important getting him back,” Barnes said. “Last year he took a huge step and was probably as valuable a guy as there was in league as an 18-year-old.
“This year he is that guy but he got a five-game suspension early in the season and it’s been tough for him to get into that rhythm.”
Barnes appreciates what Gidney brings to the table.
“He’s a presence every shift,” he said. “He’s someone who can go out there and play against top lines, play the power play, penalty kill. He can play a shutdown role and he’s also a bigger body and he’s strong. He also brings an offensive element as well.”
Gidney, who is taking business courses at Brock, had just one goal and 10 points in his rookie season and bumped those totals to 12 goals and 29 points last season. He has six goals and 22 points in 33 games so far this season.
“From Year 1 to Year 2, (there was a) huge jump in his game,” Barnes said. “He was always a defensive-minded guy and he added a lot to his game last year. I think he’s progressed but we all think he would have had a better season statistically but it’s the way it’s worked out. He’s (still) valuable to us in other ways.”
Gidney feels he is a more well-rounded player than when was as a rookie.
“Compared to the first year, I played every game but being on PP and PK in the second and third year has helped me be more confident and just shooting pucks on net,” he said. “The first year I didn’t get that opportunity that much because I was in more of a defensive role but the second year really helped with that a lot.”
Gidney’s absence has given Barnes the opportunity to audition others for key minutes.
“It’s forced other guys to play more and assume those minutes,” Barnes said. “So in a way that’s kind of helped out D corps round into a shape a little bit and helped the development of other guys because we didn’t have him to play 30 minutes a game.”
Gidney’s return is crucial with fellow defencemen Ethan Mercer and Devon Thibodeau still on the sidelines with knee injuries.
The Blackhawks, 23-16-2-2, host the Niagara Falls Canucks Thursday. The club then has just six games remaining before playoffs.
“Being here two years and losing in the first round both years — last year was close — but I really just want to get to the second round and see what happens from there and have a good playoff run,” Gidney said.
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