Music: {allcanada} BAERTSCHI GIVES FLAMES HOPE

Monday, October 29, 2012

{allcanada} BAERTSCHI GIVES FLAMES HOPE

The Calgary Herald points out that through eight games, Portland Winterhawks graduate Sven Baertschi has three goals, eight points and 12 penalty minutes — giving Flames fans envious of the Edmonton Oilers talent pool at least one major reason for optimism for the future.

Add in the torrid start to the season for Baertschi's roommate Roman Horak (seven goals and eight points in eight games), and the long-term forecast is definitely less grim than some people in these parts realize.

"First of all, he's just a great kid," Heat Centre Ben Walter said of Baertschi, his new left-winger. "He's very positive all the time. He loves to be around the rink. He loves to play the game.

"And when you get out there with him, for how skilled he is, he really works hard on the ice. He battles for pucks, and he makes it easier for us to play with him. And then every once in a while, he gets the puck on his stick and you see that skill come out."

Walter notes the confidence of his young winger.

"He knows he can make plays, and he can do stuff on the ice. He's really confident on the ice. Off the ice, he's quiet. He's fun to be around. He's not cocky or anything like that."

Most of the time, Walter, 28, expects rookies making the jump from junior to experience growing pains in their first twirl in the professional ranks.

So far, Baertschi is the exception to the rule.

"He has adjusted very well," Walter said. "He seems to have everything together off the ice, which can be a problem for younger guys. But he's taking care of himself off the ice.

"I think that translates into being comfortable on the ice."