The singer’s sing, as they say, and the dancer’s dance.
Not every hockey player can be a 50-goal scorer, or a setup artist.
No, there are many elements that comprise a winning hockey team, not the least of which is the heart and soul player, the “glue” guy which is the buzzword today.
“The way we want to do things with the (Newfoundland) Growlers is to do them the right way,” James Melindy was saying the other day.
“Todd certainly does that. He puts everything on the line for his teammates and the organization.”
Newfoundland captain Melindy was speaking of Todd Skirving, signed this week by the Growlers to another ECHL contract.
Let’s be honest. Skirving will not be mistaken for Alex Ovechkin. He’s hit double digits in goals only twice, and that was in the Tier II junior United States Hockey League.
But like we said, not every hockey player is going to light up the scoreboard, right?
Skirving is what you’d call an unheralded hockey player. But also a valuable one, the type every team could use, especially in the post season.
“You can count on him,” Melindy said, “for big penalty kills, blocking a shot, taking big faceoffs.
“Those things get overlooked sometimes. His numbers aren’t up there with some of our other forwards, but nonetheless Todd is a very big piece to the makeup of this team, and he brings a different aspect to the game that a lot of our forward group didn’t have. He’s a very, very valuable asset to our club.
“His leadership in the dressing room and around the community is amazing.”
Skirving was the Growlers’ Equinor Community Player of the Year the past two years, immersing himself in causes such as the Canadian Blood Services’ Hockey Gives Blood campaign, the Janeway Children’s Health and Rehabilitation Centre and Ronald McDonald House.
The 28-year-old product of Thunder Bay, Ont., is a vocal player in the room and on the bench, but he’s not to be mistaken for one of those Rah-rah! types who will talk the talk, but when it comes to walking the walk, comes up short.
“Todd,” Melindy said, “never asks anything of anyone that he wouldn’t do himself. And guys notice that.
“He’s a leader not only vocally, but he leads by example. When games aren’t going good, he’ll be there to bring energy and play the game the right way.”
Skirving, who played NCAA hockey at Rochester Institute of Technology before turning pro with the ECHL’s Orlando Solar Bears in 2017-18, where current Growlers coach John Snowden worked as an assistant, embraces his role with the Growlers.
In Skirving’s world, the glass is never half empty.
“When I came here, Snowy told me what I was getting into,” he said. “But I enjoy it. I like coming to rink every day, being the positive guy, keeping the boys going.
“I take great pride in it. I’m excited to do it for another season.”
It’s the third straight ECHL contract Skirving has agreed to with the Growlers, and he signed on the dotted line without even a hint of hesitation.
“I love it there,” he said of St. John’s. “Newfoundland is a great organization, with a great coaching staff and ownership, and then there’s the whole Maple Leafs organization.”
Skirving is coming off seasons of four and three goals, a long way from the combined 73 Brady Ferguson, Zach O’Brien and Marcus Power scored last season.
Those three are history now, having recently signed with European teams.
That’s a lot of offence to lose, but, of course, Skirving isn’t too worried.
“Personally,” he said, “I’m sad to see them go, but they’re on to a new chapter in their life.
“At the same time, it provides opportunity for the guys who are coming back, and guys who will be joining the team, to step up and fill those holes.
“It’s no different than last season when Trey Bradley, Justin Brazeau and Colt Conrad stepped in for the guys who left (from the 2018-19 Kelly Cup championship squad) and filled those roles.
“There’s going to be turnover every year. That’s kind of how the league is. Toronto is trying to develop players and move them on to the Marlies and the Leafs.
“We expect that. It’s going to be a new challenge and I’m excited for the challenge.”
We wouldn’t expect anything different.
Robin Short is The Telegram’s Sports Editor. Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter: @telyrobinshort
