Home HockeyBuzz Register Login
ON • Canada • 2017 Years Old • Male

Where's the love?

Posted 11:33 AM ET | Comments 0
Stars are stars but there is never enough love given to the guys who aren't in the headlines.

This is a blog for the unsung heroes.

Calgary Flames: Lance Bouma

Calgary currently finds itself this season in a spot it has pursued for years; playoff contention after the deadline. While the team deserves overall credit for finding ways to win each night, matters are helped by unheralded hero Lance Bouma. Bouma is in only his third pro season. Despite his age he is producing in a big way. Though his point totals (62 GP 12 G 14 A +10) are nothing headline worthy, his play on the ice gives much more that it reveals. Bouma drives play, wins faceoffs, provides energy for whatever line hes on and has 3 GWG to his name this season. He is a large part of the success of Calgary this year and will have a chance to show his stuff in the post-season.

Tampa Bay Lightning: Nikita Kucherov and Tyler Johnson

Everyone knows Steven Stamkos. Perennial 50 goal scorer. 1st overall pick. The face of the Lightning rebirth. With him at the helm Tampa Bay leads the league in GPG with 3.25.Yet it isn't just Stamkos doing a bit of scoring these days. He has help. Kucherov in his first full season with the Bolts has set career highs for Goals (23) Assists (31), Points (54) and is second in the league with a +32. He sits third on the team in scoring behind Stamkos (59) and fellow up and comer Tyler Johnson. The sneaky Russian sniper has developed into an all world talent and may one day put up goals in elite numbers. He isn't alone either. Alongside him is up and comer Tyler Johnson. In only his second full season, he leads the Lightning in points (63 GP 24 G 38 A 62 P +30 and 4 GWG) and continues to develop into a complete player. Showing maturity beyond his years, this American born centre is pacing himself for an 80+ point season. Stamkos may be the face of the franchise but he is no longer alone in raising it up.

Montreal Canadiens: Tomas Plekanec

Carrey Price and P.K Subban. Names synonymous with the success of the Montreal Canadiens. Yet often unspoken is the name of Plekanec. A member of the Canadiens roster since 2003-04, he has provided the Canadiens with over a decade of solid play. Though not repeating the offensive magic of the line of Alexei Kovalev and Andrei Kostitsyn that saw him put up career highs, Plekanec has steadily contributed to the success of the Canadiens in every facet of the game. His numbers will never blow you away ( 64 GP-19 G-24 A-43 P +7 4 GWG) but any Habs fan will tell you of his success. Whether on the PP, killing off penalties or shutting down opposing teams top lines, Pleks is one of the unsung heroes of the team.


St. Louis Blues: Kevin Shattenkirk

Acquired from Colorado in the 2010-11 season, Shattenkirk has been a mainstay on the St.Louis blue line. Having posted 40+ points in four of his five seasons ( he posted 23 points in 43 games in the lockout) and not once in the minus since being acquired, he has flown under the radar in St.Louis. With names such of Pietrangelo, Bouwmeester, Oshie and Berglund taking up the headlines Shattenkirk has evolved into one of the leagues best offensive defeneman without anyone noticing. His stats for this season (49 GP 8 G 32 A +18) are the best totals per games played among active defencmen. If St.Louis goes far this year, recognition will be quick in the coming for him.

Florida Panthers: Brian Campbell

It has been some years since Campbell found himself hoisting the cup in Chicago and the limelight. He has since been keeping busy though. A member of the Panthers since his acquisition by Tallon, he has been quietly providing leadership to a young Florida team. Apart from still producing (64 GP 3 G 20 A + 3) and sound defensive play, Campbell has been mentoring youngsters on the D corps such as Ekblad and Gudbrandon in the finer arts of the game. His leadership and championship pedigree is much of the reason Florida has managed to develop so well. If Florida makes the playoffs look for him to be the warrior leading the way.

Thanks for reading,

The Hockey Addict

Talk hockey with me on twitter @hockeyaddict89
Filed Under:   Hero's   Campbell   Florida   Tampa Bay   Montreal   Bouma  
Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to leave a comment.