Del Zotto here to prove he belongs

September 29, 2009   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

Coming as no surprise, Mike Del Zotto indeed made the Ranger cut earlier today. Only 19, the former 2008 first round pick that the club selected 20th overall will start the season in Ranger red, white and blue.

The organization has nine games to decide if the Stouffville, Ontario native who wears No.43 is fully ready. They can always option the defenseman back to London of the OHL (Ontario Hockey League). For now, coach John Tortorella has liked what he’s seen from a player poised beyond his years who impressed all camp with his smooth skating and ability to handle big minutes including power play duty.

“Based on his play, he has made the club,” praised Tortorella who also had to love Del Zotto’s first pass and hockey sense in a feature story written by Jim Cerny over on the official team site. “He’s had a good camp. And as I have told you, we are not looking at age or anything like that. We feel right now he has played well enough to be with the National Hockey League team.”

If he makes his NHL debut on Friday at defending Cup champ Pittsburgh, it’ll be an immediate test for the young blueliner who beat out Bobby Sanguinetti for the job.

“The biggest thing I’ve learned is that there are no days off here,” analyzed Del Zotto who would become the second youngest defenseman in Ranger history to play in a regular season game. “You’re here to work every day. It’s all business. And it’s not just on the ice, it’s off the ice, as well, how you control yourself and how mature you are.”

“His strength, obviously, is offense, but he has shown that he is really willing to compete away from the puck and in the end zone,” said Tortorella of his young charger who finished strong following a trade with teammate/current Islander No.1 overall selection John Tavares from Oshawa to London where he netted 30 points (6-24-30)  in 28 games before adding 19 (3-16-19) in 14 postseason contests. “Part of the responsibility falls on the coaches now to teach him that part of the game.”

If the kid proves himself and 25 year-old former Hobey Baker winner Matt Gilroy continues to show why he belongs, the Blueshirts just might’ve upgraded their D. Gone are older vets Paul Mara (Mtl) and Derek Morris (Bos). In their place are much younger players with bright futures. It’ll be interesting to see how quick the transition is. Apparently, Del Zotto is planning on staying a while.

“My goal is to be here all year. They could send me back before nine games, or even tomorrow, for all I know. So I am here to prove myself every day.”

“I love playing the game,” the excited newest Ranger added. “I’d rather be doing this than anything else. Every day I come to the rink, I have a smile on my face.”