WALL-TO-WALL
Walleye Broadhurst rounding out his game in Toledo
Rookie already skilled offensively
12/5/2012
Terry Broadhurst has scored 16 points in his first 22 games as a professional. He recently was named Walleye player of the week.
Walleye forward Terry Broadhurst knows speed, creativity, and offensive production have gotten him this far but the young winger also hopes to become a complete player.
Broadhurst, who is in his first full season of pro hockey, has racked up 16 points in 22 games.
The fleet-footed and highly skilled forward is tied for the team lead with 12 assists. He also has scored four goals.
“Being an offensive guy who can make plays has gotten me to this point,” Broadhurst said. “I score goals and I set up goals. It's something I expect out of myself. But you also have to be good playing away from the puck.”
In a three-year college career at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, Broadhurst tallied 90 points in 110 college games. He scored 40 goals and dished out 50 assists.
Broadhurst, who celebrated his 24th birthday last Friday, was named the Walleye player of the week after collecting six points (one goal and five assists).
His recent hot streak has coincided with an upswing for Toledo. The Walleye (13-8-1) have won nine of their last 12 games.
They won four games in a row last week and are at the top of the ECHL North Division.
“All the guys are on the same page now,” Broadhurst said. “We're doing the simple things.”
The Orland Park, Ill., native served as captain during his junior season at the Nebraska-Omaha last season.
Broadhurst set career highs in in goals (16), assists (20), and points (36) in 38 games. He ranked second on the team in goals and points.
He has not missed a beat this season. Broadhurst has the second most assists among all ECHL rookies.
He also has the fifth most points and second most shots (65) among first-year players.
“It's been good so far,” Broadhurst said. “I did hit a rough patch. But I've found my game a bit.
“I'm learning to not get too high or too low.”
Coach Nick Vitucci has teamed Broadhurst up with fellow rookie Luke Glendening. They were paired on a line with Byron Froese before he was injured last Friday.
Now Travis Novak is playing with Broadhurst and Glendening.
The line combined for five goals and seven assists over three games last weekend. Broadhurst led the way with four assists.
“They've been huge contributors,” Vitucci said. “That whole line has been fantastic.”
“We all have speed,” Broadhurst said. “We can push the defensemen back on their heels and it gives us room to make plays.”
At Nebraska-Omaha, Broadhurst scored seven game winning goals. He has one already in a Walleye uniform.
The Chicago Blackhawks signed Broadhurst to a two-year contract last March.
His younger brother Alex was drafted by Chicago in 2011.
Broadhurst played in eight games with Rockford in the American Hockey League late last season and had two assists.
The siblings learned the game from their father Terry, who stressed the value of power skating to his sons at an early age.
At just 5-foot-11 and 162 pounds, Broadhurst said using that speed has come in handy.
“It's nothing new to me,” he said. “I've always been undersized. You learn how to play with your head on a swivel.
“It's not about knocking a guy on his butt. You find a way to use quickness and your stick to get the puck. I've adapted and developed.”
But Broadhurst said he also understands that becoming a complete, all-around player is the key to taking the next step.
“There's a lot more to the game than scoring and getting points,” he said.
“You have to be good defensively and have good puck management skills.”
FISH TALES: The Walleye have two road games this weekend at Evansville on Friday and at Kalamazoo on Saturday. … D Max Nicastro was reassigned to Grand Rapids on Tuesday. Nicastro scored the tying goal that sent last Friday's game into overtime.
Contact Mark Monroe at: mmonroe@theblade.com, 419-724-6354, or on Twitter @MonroeBlade.