The Hurricanes’ top pick in 2012, 38th overall, Di Giuseppe bookended his season with strong efforts, starting by scoring the Checkers’ first goal of the season in Game 1 and ending with a season-high four points in the season finale on Game 76. In between were some up-and-down stretches that included a clutch last-minute goal to defeat Milwaukee on Nov. 29 and a three-game goal streak on either side of Christmas, but also an 11-game scoring drought that started in January.
At the end of the day, Di Giuseppe and the organization are hoping that his stronger finish to the season – he scored 12 points in his last 20 games, as opposed to 18 in his 56 previous outings – will be a sign that he’s made progress in the area of consistency.
“That was something he brought up, that he’s got to do it every single day,” said Jeff Daniels, his coach in Charlotte last season, about conversations that took place in his exit meeting with Di Giuseppe. “It’s good when a player brings something up because they understand what they need to work on.”
“You’ve got to compete for those loose pucks, go to the tough areas in front of the net, score that deflection goal and take a cross check,” said Daniels. “We weren’t asking him to run around the rink and hit everything in sight, but if he has a chance to get in on the forecheck and be that first guy, he’s got to finish that check.”
Any struggles with consistency aren’t unique to Di Giuseppe. In fact, they’re common occurrence for those adjusting to the pro game for the first time.
“Part of that is learning and coming from college where you only play Friday and Saturday and would then have four or five days off,” said Daniels. “All of the sudden now you play Friday and Saturday and then you’re playing Tuesday again. You’ve got to be able to prepare and play every single night. I think that’s the big thing he took out of this year.”
Di Giuseppe, who along with fellow rookie Trevor Carrick was one of two Checkers and just 24 AHL players to play all 76 games last season, ended up tying for fourth on the team in scoring. He also ranked eighth with 11 goals, a total one might expect to be higher considering that he led the team and ranked fourth among AHL rookies with 174 shots on goal.
It’s not a case of his shot not being good, either. Far from it, as was clear from the preseason, when he blasted an overtime winner against Norfolk, and on that first goal of the season, a rocket from the left circle. If he can improve on his shooting percentage of 6.3, lower than that of famously snakebitten Brock McGinn, a fellow rookie, that total could easily rise.
As with other young players on the 2014-15, it’s hard to say that Di Giuseppe will have a bigger role next season since his first one was already quite large for a first-year player. However, with a season under his belt, he’ll likely be better prepared for whatever comes.
“He’s shown flashes of the speed and skill,” said Daniels. “He ended the year on a good note and hopefully he can remember why that was and be the player he needs to be.”
