by Justin Orlewicz (Hockey Writer) – Email
As the race for a playoff spot in the North division gets tighter and tighter, the Heat got a really big boost offensively two weeks ago when ten year NHL veteran Ales Kotalik was sent down to Abbotsford after clearing waivers. Kotalik has played for the Buffalo Sabers, New York Rangers, and the Calgary Flames, and now he has returned to the league that his career started in to try to bounce back. Most of the reason he is even in the AHL is because of his large contract, which was hitting Calgary’s salary cap.
Since Kotalik has joined the Abbotsford Heat he has made his presence felt, but not as a scorer. Kotalik is still getting roughly five shots a game but he is falling into the roll of the playmaker in his nine games with the Heat; Kotalik has six assists and is a plus two. The Heat are also 4-3-1-0 since Kotalik has joined the team. Not only is he contributing on the ice, but he is also contributing in the dressing room with his NHL leadership. Although going back to the AHL is a bit of an adjustment for Kotalik, he is taking it with a very positive attitude. “Obviously after ten years in the NHL it’s a setback in your career, it’s a disappointment, but being mad, that wouldn’t be helping anybody,” he said of his return. “There’s a group of really young guys and I just want to be positive and help them and give them a little confidence and do whatever I can to help them make those steps in their careers.”
All of Kotalik’s teammates said that he has been great in the dressing room with them and that they are happy to have him on the team as they push for the playoffs. Even coach Playfair is very pleased with what Kotalik has brought to the table for the team: “He’s professional, his on ice and off ice habits show us a consistent hockey player down here, he’s been as good as any player that I have seen come down from the National Hockey League.” Kotalik feels like he is starting to really gel with the team and has found himself as one of the Heat’s top six forwards. “Playing with Nemo (Greg Nemisz) and Stoner (Ryan Stone), those guys are pretty hardnosed and win the battles for you, I try to make plays more than usual, coach has given me the green light to create, that’s why I am a set up guy now instead of a shooter.”
The Heat were part of the Heritage Classic celebration in Calgary as they played the Oklahoma City Barons at the Saddle Dome. Unfortunately, they fell to the Barons 3-1. They returned home to Abbotsford the next day to finish their series with the Barons. This time they lost to Oklahoma 3-2 in overtime, earning only a single point. The Heat are still in the playoff race, sitting in fifth place in the North division, but they are only one point out of fourth and four points out of first. The Providence Bruins will be in town on the February 25 and 26 as the playoff hunt continues for the Heat. Don’t forget to look for student deals for these games. The Heat is 27-23-3-5 at week’s end. For more insider info on the Heat and the NHL, follow me on Twitter @JustinOrly.
