No sophomore jinx for Constantinou
Billy Constantinou’s sophomore season appears to be right on track.
The 17-year-old defenceman has already tied his points total (12) from his entire rookie season and is an impressive plus-10 through 17 games for the Niagara IceDogs.
“Where Billy is now, I think we’re all thrilled,” IceDogs head coach Billy Burke said. “He continues to grow and develop his defensive game while his offensive skills and play with the puck continues to soar.
“He has the threat to generate a scoring chance every shift for us. He’s really playing well on the power play. I don’t think we have any complaints with him.”
Constantinou, who was selected in the second round (36th overall) of the 2017 Ontario Hockey League draft, admits the difference between last season and this year is like night and day.
“(I feel) a lot more comfortable and a lot more confident with the puck and on the ice,” he said. “I feel really good. The team is doing really well and I think I’m doing really well, too.”
Constantinou appeared in 45 games as a rookie, but often saw limited ice time.
“It’s a lot more fun. I feel more part of it. It’s always nice coming to the rink and not worrying about whether you are not playing or if you are,” he said. “Last year, I was happy but when I wasn’t playing it was tough at times.”
Burke said he could tell in training camp Constantinou was in for a big season.
“He lives and breathes this. He wants to be a hockey player,” Burke said. “He’s very focused and is always on the ice in the summer. When he came in he was confident. He looked bigger and stronger and faster and his shot had improved. You could tell with him he had taken that step.”
Constantinou walks a tightrope each time he’s on the ice. His skill set and offensive abilities set him apart on the blueline, but there can be a price to pay for that mindset.
“Sometimes with guys like Billy you wonder is the reward is quite worth the risk, but he’s showing nine times out of 10 the reward is worth the risk,” Burke said. “He works hard to get back and he’s taking more and more pride in his defensive play.
“As long as he cares. If he cares as much about defence as he does about offence, then we have no issues.”
Constantinou appears to have found the balance needed.
“There is a time and place for everything, when to pinch, when jump in,” said Constantinou, who grew up in Scarborough. “Obviously the D zone is the main priority as a defenceman. Once you take care of the D zone, then you can have some fun up front. It taught me a lot.
“You have to balance things out. Sometimes you have to make that high percentage play and stay back so you don’t give up a two-on-one, but sometimes you have to make that high risk play to get that advantage.”
Burke said the coaching staff are constantly working with Constantinou.
“Guys his age, it’s almost a daily process always talking to them and constantly showing them video, the good and the bad,” he said. “The big thing for him is the decision making. He always wants to make the big play to generate the big scoring chance but sometimes you just have to play the percentages and play defence and be a little patient that way.”
Burke feels game management is the key with Constantinou.
“If we’re down a goal late in the third period, all bets are off. Let’s push and try and score. If we’re up a goal, then let’s be conservative and be 100 per cent sure on our pinches.”
Constantinou didn’t set any particular goals for the season other than to keep improving.
“I just wanted to get better overall and help the team out more. I don’t really set goals like that, I just want to do my best. I try and set personal goals every game, like plus-minus. I try to be a plus player every game and things like that.”
The IceDogs, 10-5-2, are home to North Bay, 8-8-0-1, Friday before heading to North Bay Saturday. Niagara will be without forwards Kirill Maksimov, who is headed to Sarnia and Oshawa to play the CIBC Canada-Russia Series, and Akil Thomas, who is listed day-to-day with an upper body injury.
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