SLAM! Sports
SLAM! Hockey
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
COLUMNS
NHL
The Teams
Full Schedule
Monthly Schedule
Standings
Statistics
Rosters
Injury list
Movement
Trades
Hits Gallery
INTERACTIVE
JUNIOR
MORE HOCKEY
ALSO ON SLAM!
Sunday, December 12, 1999
Thrilling comeback
CHICAGO -- Negotiations have quietly begun to re-sign an early favourite for the Norris Trophy.
Hard as it is to believe, he is a member of the Calgary Flames.
Phil 'The Thrill' Housley.
The resurrection of Housley has indeed come full circle in Calgary -- from poster boy for selfishness to team leader on and off the ice.
Yes, the same Phil Housley who was run out of Calgary in his first stint from 1994-96, is now, in his second Flames term, a prospective unrestricted free agent this team simply can't afford to lose.
His nickname, 'The Thrill,' was initially a derisive pun aimed at his shocking ability to generate turnovers and opposition scoring chances. Now, it's clearly in reference to his offensive prowess.
Among the league leaders in scoring by defencemen, logging huge amounts of ice time, heck, even venturing into the corners with physical determination, Housley has become arguably the Flames' most valuable player.
The question now is can the Flames afford to keep him, or will Housley, as is widely held, opt for free agency and a return to his native Minnesota?
The answer from Housley goes a long ways to demonstrating how much the person and player has changed.
During his first stay, Housley's response would have been, "Are you kidding me? Stay in Calgary instead of free agency?"
Today, Housley is a man who is not only content, but thriving under the leadership role coach Brian Sutter has handed him.
"I'd like to sign here," says Housley.
"I'm at the age where I have a family and moving isn't first and foremost in my life right now.
"I'd like to get something done as soon as possible. But there is always that chance if negotiations don't go as well as you'd like them to; that there is always that chance you could search the free agent market."
Of course, there is a 'but' to Housley's professed desire to remain a Flame. But one senses that is just typical posturing for negotiations.
Free agency isn't what it used to be. And for a 35-year-old father of four who's never been on a winner, there may not be a better scenario than what he enjoys right now.
Even for the all-time leading U.S.-born scorer, the respect and confidence he garners here goes a long way.
"Sure, I'm happy here right now," says Housley. "The coaching staff and management have given me a lot of responsibility to be relied upon and that makes me feel good about myself and gives me a lot of confidence."
But Housley's thoughts also are understandably focused on the potential of his returning to his native St. Paul for the debut of the Minnesota Wild next season.
His mother, Mary Kay, is in the midst of a life and death battle with cancer. It is his off-season home as well.
Kudos to GM Al Coates for the courage, and yes, wisdom, for making the move to bring back a player who was not respected by the media or even some of his own teammates in his first stint in Calgary.
"I've accepted the challenge here. They gave me a lot of responsibility and I don't care who you are, if you feel good about yourself, you play good."
Good enough to garner early attention for the Norris Trophy.
"I think (the Norris) is a good motivation factor," said Housley. "You have guys like Eric Desjardins and Rob Blake pushing you and a bunch of other guys creeping up, so it makes you concentrate and create offence when the chances arise.
"I've been a finalist but I think the most important thing is to get our team into the playoffs.
"But after that happens, you get your recognition and exposure. If your team doesn't make the playoffs, voters seem to shy away. If you just keep playing consistent, its not really the media perception, it's the guys around the league and teammates whose respect is important to me."
Housley has earned that respect.
The question now is whether the Flames can keep him.
Flames GM Al Coates was travelling and couldn't be reached for comment.
Ultimately, it will be about money. It will be decided soon.
If he doesn't sign, Housley will be on his way out of Calgary. Again.
Only this time, the refrain 'The Thrill is Gone,' will be genuine.
 Bert's back on blades Blue Jays boot game Bombers drop Peterson Felicien rebuilds race | Visit our Polls Archive |