Quote of the year. That’s what NBC/Versus/Network that screws up Hockey called it.
The exact quote attributed to Coach Scott Arniel regarding call-ups from our AHL team by both the Dispatch and NBC was this:
“I’m kind of caught on the fence on that one,” Arniel said. “(It’s) a little bit of the guys that are here are the ones who got us into this mess and they are the ones who have to finish it off. The other side (of it) is do we want to have to some guys play some games that could help us next year?”
When this quote hit the Twitterverse from what I saw, it was met with universal approval and hurrahs. Now granted, obviously like draws like, a lot of the CBJ fans I follow – though NOT all – share similar opinions on “the CBJ situation” to mine. And while we are getting disclaimers out of the way, let me say that thus far, I am definitely an Arniel fan-girl. Like him, like his style.
So imagine my surprise when I saw our own Aaron Portzline stir the pot a little bit by taking the spin on this quote that Arniel was throwing his players under the bus. Porty’s take – and I do love love love Porty (appreciate his commitment to keeping folks updated and willingness to engage and not just throw “news” out into the ether) – was based on, in his words, the fact that Arniel did not use “We” to include himself in the “mess” and that this was cause for question. To Porty’s credit, he acknowledged he likes a good quote – and that’s what reporters are supposed to do…
But I remain in support of Arniel’s quote and attitude. First, we’ve heard pretty much all good about the impressions of Arniel’s leadership from players in the CMH as well as at his previous posts. These are not Hitchcock days. Second, throughout this roller coaster season, the one thing that would get me most upset was when the team just seemed to “stop caring” on the ice. I like players with fire, fight and intensity (if you know me you know I swear allegiance to #15 but we’ll get to that later) and, while I don’t always know when someone lines up improperly for a power play kill, I do feel like I know when the heart just goes out of our team.
Let’s face it, this roster is not “used” to getting to the playoffs. And some argue we ARE “used” to a bit too much losing. And winning is not just physical conditioning its mental as well. You learn that you like steak enough, you’ll scrimp and save to buy yourself one every once and a while – no matter what it takes.
I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know – we’ve heard many versions of these coaching and leadership platitudes for decades. But I really believe that, in a coming off season where every knows we are poised for moves (or lack there of on some players) that Arniel is setting a precedent that the status quo will not be tolerated. Just as when we were little, mom or dad taught us to clean up our own mess, Arniel’s starting at the basics. Get a mindset that drives you to do what it takes to win. And take responsibility for your action – or inaction.
Arniel is setting the stage that people either get on the bus that he is driving, or we’re going to find someone to take your place – and the key is he is CHALLENGING his players to step up to the plate. I believe that in what will be an active off season, this kind of growing “team personality” is what we need not only to affect who’s already here, but who we hope to attract – those with the heart of a Jacket (see what I just did there? 😉 )
Go Jackets! Beat the Panthers!
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