A learning curve is generally expected when a player starts someplace new. Not so with Niko Dimitrakos.

Dimitrakos, in his first year of professional hockey, is comfortably leading the Cleveland Barons while ranking second among all AHL rookies with 32 points. On a banged up Barons team that ranks near the bottom in the Western Conference with 24 points (10-16-2-2), Dimitrakos' play has been an oasis.

Through Tuesday, the 22-year-old was the only player on his club with a minimum of 20 games played without a negative plus/minus rating.

Dimitrakos, however, is used to shining in adversity.

He began his college career at the University of Maine during the Black Bears' four-year, self-imposed probation for NCAA rules violations. Punished with scholarship reductions, among other sanctions, the perennial power house team was ranked an uncharacteristic sixth out of nine Hockey East teams in the 1997-98 season.

With Dimitrakos on board the following fall, Maine rebounded from the turmoil and claimed the NCAA title in 1999. The freshman phenom was named to the NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team after scoring twice during the Frozen Four.

After producing 27 points in 35 games in his freshman year, Dimitrakos was drafted in the fifth round of the 1999 NHL entry draft by a San Jose Sharks club in need of offense.

In his remaining three college years, Dimitrakos continued to develop his game and his leadership capabilities to the delight of the San Jose organization.

In his senior season, the native of Somerville, Mass., led the Black Bears with 51 points to earn second team All-America honors. His efforts helped his team make a run for its second national championship in four years before falling to Minnesota in the finals.

During his collegiate career Dimitrakos excelled amongst some of the top amateurs in the nation. Now a professional, he is encountering a different set of challenges.

"You definitely have to get used to the travel and the number of games," said Dimitrakos. "You're always on the ice."

The 5-11, 195-pound forward has handled a more intense workload with relative ease and has let his game take over.

"I just wanted to come here, work hard and get a grasp for the league," he said. "I got a lot of ice time when I first got here and its really given me a lot of confidence."

That confidence was evident early as he posted a goal and an assist in leading the Barons to a 6-4 victory in his first pro game. Dimitrakos then tallied the winner in Cleveland's second triumph of the season, a 6-3 decision over Philadelphia.

Dimitrakos has been consistently producing points all season. Through 30 games, the first-year pro has recorded at least one point in 18 contests, including a season-high four points (two goals, two assists) on November 27 against Syracuse.

Dimitrakos, who ranks fourth in the league in points, has notched at least one assist in each of his last four games.

"He's always making something happen, always creating something," said Barons second-year head coach Roy Sommer. "He's very dynamic and brings the element of offense (to our team)."

Dimitrakos, who grew up modeling his game after that of Stanley Cup Champion Steve Yzerman, lists his on-ice vision as his most credible attribute.

"(I like) moving the puck, making plays," Dimitrakos said. "I should probably shoot the puck more ... but I generally look to pass first."

And setting up plays has been his forte thus far. Currently, Dimitrakos is tied for fourth in the league with 23 assists.

With his offensive skills maturing, the question is what does Dimitrakos need to do to make the jump to San Jose?

"He needs to get better along the boards and improve on his angling," said Sommer. "He needs to step up his play away from the puck from game to game. We're not asking him to run people over ... but be more feisty."

Dimitrakos, who saw his former roommate in Cleveland, fellow rookie Jim Fahey, receive a call-up to the big club earlier this month, needs to work on his physical play before getting his shot at the NHL.

A focused and motivated player, Dimitrakos will undoubtedly make the necessary adjustments in due time. When he does, expect a similar seamless transition to the next level.