By Amy K. Nelson
SportsTicker Staff Writer
Jason Bacashihua - Photo courtesy: Utah Grizzlies |
One player's personal failure turned into an organization's lucky day.
Jason Bacashihua, who was the 26th overall pick by the Dallas Stars in the 2001 NHL Entry draft and who currently plays for the Utah Grizzlies in the AHL, became the first goaltender ever
to be selected as a No. 1 pick by the organization.
But he was never supposed to be there.
Bacashihua, who is of Cherokee and French-Canadian descent, grew up in Dearborn, Michigan watching and idolizing goaltender Eddie Belfour. Being a kid from Michigan, it was natural to dream of
playing college hockey for either the University of Michigan or Michigan State.
His dream came true after signing a letter of intent with the Wolverines in the spring of 2001. Stories were written about the goaltending prospect heading to Michigan and the spotlight was on. But
Bacashihua, just 18 years old at the time, failed to pass his ACT test, and was denied a chance to play.
The failure was both a personal and public disappointment. Bacashihua, at times, said he felt stupid and dumb.
"You study for a test for two, three hours and then you take it and get the results back and you get a 'C' on it. You kind of feel that after you put all that effort into it, you're still only average."
But his skills were not, and the logical next step was to enter the NHL draft. A late entry, however, gave less opportunity for scouting, and taking Bacashihua, who had just two seasons of low
juniors on his resume, was a risky proposition in the first round.
"When he decided to turn pro there was sort of a scramble in the end for people to see him," said Stars general manager Doug Armstrong. "But our scouts had their eye on him and we were happy to
select him when we could."
What they saw was a goalie who had rapid reflexes and ability to make spectacular saves. His penchant for coming up in the clutch was highlighted, but also was his inability to get up for less
important games.
Last year Bacashihua was 26-12-7 with a 2.95 GAA and tied for a league-leading five shutouts with Plymouth in the OHL. His outstanding play extended to a starting spot on the 2002 world juniors
squad for Team USA.
"He likes to be challenged," said Mike Vellucci, Bacashihua's coach last year. "The higher the stakes, the better he plays. He excels in that limelight.
"He's quick, he's smart and he moves very good from post to post. He really had an exceptional season for us last year and he's the kind of goaltender who can win games for you by himself."
Traits that former NHL goaltender Tim Bernhardt, who is the director of scouting for Dallas, told the organization about.
"That quiet confidence," said Armstrong, when asked why his organization took the risk. "He wants to be in the game when the game's on the line. You may have questions from practice, but he's
been able to eliminate those questions with strong games.
"I think that's the confidence that he has in his abilities to play the position. Probably, quite a bit like Marty Turco. I see a lot of similarities in their game personalities."
But Dallas's former goalie and Stanley Cup winner, Belfour, is the one who Bacashihua models himself after, and relates to.
"Watching Eddie when I was younger was a big inspiration to me," said Bacashihua. "Just the way he played on the ice, and how he could take being scored on and taking that, and turning it into a
positive thing. I know that sounds funny, but when someone scores on him, he'll take that anger and turn it into a positive."
And you cannot help but wonder if Bacashihua is also talking about himself. Mention anything negative, and instantly, optimism prevails.
"I'll kind of get down on myself after I get scored on, if it's kind of a weak goal," Bacashihua conceded. "But I've learned to take that energy and turn it into something positive instead of negative
because if you do that, and its early in the game, it might be a long night."
Current Utah head coach Don Hay knows that Dallas is building him as the netminder of the future, and sees a desire for learning, something coaches love to work with.
"The organization felt very strongly about Jason, obviously, to make him that high of a pick," Hay said. "He's a very coachable young man who is confident in his skills. He's playing with a lot of
composure and he's handling the transition to the pro life and the pro game very well."
Through four games this season, Bacashihua holds a 3-1-0 record with a 2.75 GAA. Adversity is sure to follow for the 20-year-old, but that is nothing new.
"I didn't want to say, 'I'm not going to Michigan, so the rest of my hockey career is going downhill from here,'" said Bacashihua. "I took the next best thing and made the best of it
and went with it."
