Reserved Suchy drawing a crowd
Bob McManaman
The Arizona Republic
Nov. 12, 2003 12:00 AM
During his first two seasons in the NHL, Coyotes defenseman Radoslav Suchy could probably count on one hand how many times he was approached by reporters for a postgame quote.
He thinks it happened twice. Maybe.
"But I don't blame you guys," the Slovakian-born Suchy said, smiling. "If somebody scores the game-winning goal, you've got to go ask him about the goal. What are you going to ask me about - how many shots I blocked?
"Hey, you play to score goals. I just never used to score. But I'm not a big media guy, anyway, so I don't mind that all you guys never talked to me."
Suchy (pronounced Soo-chee) is a media magnet these days.
After scoring just five goals in 290 career games, he already has four - including two game winners - in 14 games this season. Through Monday, only Montreal's Sheldon Souray, with six, had more goals among NHL blueliners.
Don't look now, but if he keeps this up, Suchy is on pace to score 24 goals.
"I don't think that's going to happen," said Suchy, who went 152 games before scoring his first NHL goal on Nov. 17, 2001, against the New York Islanders. "I'm just happy to get to four. We'll see what happens after that.
"I'm more concerned about my plus/minus. That's something that matters the most to me."
Though the Coyotes have struggled with a 4-6-3-1 record as they prepare to host the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday, Suchy is a plus-3 and a plus-33 overall in 304 games with Phoenix.
On that side of the score sheet, Suchy has always delivered. He's been as quietly efficient as a Zamboni machine. You didn't always notice him because he rarely makes mistakes and, as a defensive defenseman, he didn't shoot that often.
"When he first came into the league, his emphasis was on his defensive play," coach Bobby Francis said. "He didn't want to be out of position. But as he's matured and gained experience, he's starting to feel more comfortable jumping up into the play.
"He can skate, he's got his confidence going, and he knows the game."
He also is getting razzed every day by teammates for drawing inquisitive reporters to his corner of the locker room. They aren't used to the foot traffic in that particular area.
"He's got a magic stick," teammate Paul Mara said.
Asked where he's been hiding it all these years, Mara said, "Oh, it's always been there. He's always had the ability and the talent. He's just stepping up and getting it done now."
Getting time on the power play has ratcheted Suchy's confidence and put him in better positions to score, although only one of his goals has come on the man-advantage.
"The difference now is the shots that used to maybe get blocked are now finding the net," assistant coach Rick Bowness said. "He realizes now he has a little more time back there and he's not rushing things. He's showing a lot of poise."
A real goal scorer, though, would know what kind of scoring bonuses he has in his contract. Suchy doesn't have a clue.
"I don't know," he said. "Maybe there's something there for 30 points. Or is it 25? I'm not really sure. Nobody's ever asked me that question before."
Bob McManaman
The Arizona Republic
Nov. 12, 2003 12:00 AM
During his first two seasons in the NHL, Coyotes defenseman Radoslav Suchy could probably count on one hand how many times he was approached by reporters for a postgame quote.
He thinks it happened twice. Maybe.
"But I don't blame you guys," the Slovakian-born Suchy said, smiling. "If somebody scores the game-winning goal, you've got to go ask him about the goal. What are you going to ask me about - how many shots I blocked?
"Hey, you play to score goals. I just never used to score. But I'm not a big media guy, anyway, so I don't mind that all you guys never talked to me."
Suchy (pronounced Soo-chee) is a media magnet these days.
After scoring just five goals in 290 career games, he already has four - including two game winners - in 14 games this season. Through Monday, only Montreal's Sheldon Souray, with six, had more goals among NHL blueliners.
Don't look now, but if he keeps this up, Suchy is on pace to score 24 goals.
"I don't think that's going to happen," said Suchy, who went 152 games before scoring his first NHL goal on Nov. 17, 2001, against the New York Islanders. "I'm just happy to get to four. We'll see what happens after that.
"I'm more concerned about my plus/minus. That's something that matters the most to me."
Though the Coyotes have struggled with a 4-6-3-1 record as they prepare to host the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday, Suchy is a plus-3 and a plus-33 overall in 304 games with Phoenix.
On that side of the score sheet, Suchy has always delivered. He's been as quietly efficient as a Zamboni machine. You didn't always notice him because he rarely makes mistakes and, as a defensive defenseman, he didn't shoot that often.
"When he first came into the league, his emphasis was on his defensive play," coach Bobby Francis said. "He didn't want to be out of position. But as he's matured and gained experience, he's starting to feel more comfortable jumping up into the play.
"He can skate, he's got his confidence going, and he knows the game."
He also is getting razzed every day by teammates for drawing inquisitive reporters to his corner of the locker room. They aren't used to the foot traffic in that particular area.
"He's got a magic stick," teammate Paul Mara said.
Asked where he's been hiding it all these years, Mara said, "Oh, it's always been there. He's always had the ability and the talent. He's just stepping up and getting it done now."
Getting time on the power play has ratcheted Suchy's confidence and put him in better positions to score, although only one of his goals has come on the man-advantage.
"The difference now is the shots that used to maybe get blocked are now finding the net," assistant coach Rick Bowness said. "He realizes now he has a little more time back there and he's not rushing things. He's showing a lot of poise."
A real goal scorer, though, would know what kind of scoring bonuses he has in his contract. Suchy doesn't have a clue.
"I don't know," he said. "Maybe there's something there for 30 points. Or is it 25? I'm not really sure. Nobody's ever asked me that question before."
