by
Jeff Parzych
Many subplots have arisen throughout the course of the season for the Syracuse Crunch. One of the more interesting ones has to be the development of Ben Knopp. The second-year forward continues to evolve as he seeks to find his niche as a professional.
Tabbed as a scorer in the junior ranks, Knopp averaged 32 goals and 66 points a year in his three seasons in the Western Hockey League. Finding success at the next level hasn't been as easy. Knopp struggled mightily in his rookie campaign and wound up spending a good portion of that season wallowing in the ECHL with the Dayton Bombers.
A new season brought a fresh start and the opportunity for redemption. Knopp worked harder than ever in the off season, most of it under the tutelage of the Blue Jacket staff in Columbus. Knopp's perseverance seemed to pay off early on. He impressed in training camp with Columbus and was one of Syracuse's most consistent offensive threats in the preseason.
Flash forward to the present and Knopp's numbers thru 38 games are not what one may have expected. He continues to have difficulty scoring on a regular basis, he has only recorded 9 points (3g, 6a) so far this season, but that does not mean the Calgary native has been disappointing.
Known for being a defensive liability at times in junior, Knopp's game has undergone a complete transformation. "I think I have just really developed my defensive game," stated Knopp. "I never really had to pay too much attention to that. Scoring and being offensive kind of brushed the defensive side of the game out of the way."
Early on there were questions from the coaching staff about Knopp's role with the Crunch. They were not sure Knopp was going to score like he did earlier in his career, but they did know he had to produce in someway to remain with the club.
"Like Coach Agnew said at the start of the year maybe I wouldn't score goals, he just wasn't sure," said Knopp. "But he did say I was going to have to do something else to contribute."
That something else has evolved into becoming one of Syracuse's best fore checkers and energy type players. Every shift the young forward goes full throttle and his development reminds one of Kent McDonell's play from two seasons' ago with Crunch.
"I have to contribute in my own way," stated Knopp. "If that's being physical, playing on the penalty kill or being an energy guy, than that is what I will do."
Knopp's improvement on the defensive end has also opened things up for him offensively. Not only has he been even or a plus in eight of the last nine games, Knopp has also registered points in three of his last four outings. Combining both skills has Knopp very optimistic when it comes to his future in the game.
"I'm excited to continually develop," said Knopp. "If the defensive part of the game is keeping me here then maybe when I start scoring goals that is what will take me to the next level."
Not only has Mr. Knopp become quite an energy player for the Crunch. Brandon Sugden and Tyler Sloan, two-thirds of the S.O.S line (Sugden, Other forward, Sloan), have also become effective weapons for Head Coach Gary Agnew.
Case in point was last Friday versus the Toronto Roadrunners. After falling behind four goals with seven minutes remaining in the second period, Agnew continually called on their line and they played a large role in Syracuse erasing their four-goal deficit.
"He just wants us to go out and continue to bump and grind and create energy," said Sloan. "It feels good to have him keep throwing us back out there and it helps with our confidence for sure."
Sugden echoed Sloan's sentiments and also stated that they were deserving of the increased ice time. "It is only fair. We were down 6-2 and he put us out there regularly and suddenly it is 6-4 or 6-5," said Sugden.
Sugden was also quick to point out that both he and Sloan are just starting to get a feel for their new positions. "We are both sort of coming into our own right now at the forward position after playing defense earlier in our careers."
Over the last few seasons many a player destined for Syracuse chose instead to head overseas rather than suit up with the Crunch. Espen Knutsen, Andrej Nedorost, Martin Paroulek, the list basically goes on and on and it maybe even growing.
Crunch defenseman Pauli Levokari, a healthy scratch in eight of the last nine Syracuse games may be headed overseas to play in his native Finland. Nothing is substantiated at this point, but would Levokari's departure be that big of a surprise?
This is the second time in his two seasons with the Crunch that he has found himself the odd-man out of the defensive rotation and he just hasn't seemed to live up to expectations in North America since coming over in 2002.
Actually Levokari's game probably would lend itself better to the European style of hockey. Blessed, or in this situation possibly cursed, with a 6'7", 260 pound frame, Levokari has never really been able to play the physical style that many have asked him to play. A fresh start and a brand of hockey not centered on contact may be just what the very likeable Levokari needs.