Anyone watching the Checkers practice this week would have noticed an extra coach on the ice working with the goalies, and specifically spending lots of time talking to rookie netminder Rasmus Tirronen. That would be David Marcoux, the Hurricanes’ goaltending coach, who periodically travels to Charlotte to give the goalies one-on-one attention.
“The connection between the AHL and NHL teams is great,” said head coach Mark Morris. “The kids get a sense of belonging and that there’s a long-range plan. I think that Dave is a very personable guy and someone that is easy to relate to. His presence is invaluable to all of us. It creates that connection that ensures that the American league and National league team are pulling on the same rope.”
Marcoux first worked with Tirronen at the end of last season when the goalie came to Charlotte on an amateur tryout, allowing him to join the team at the conclusion of his collegiate season at Merrimack. Tirronen appeared in one game for the Checkers, earning a 32-save win in the team’s home finale. Now Marcoux is back to work with the young goalie, who’s had a full offseason to prepare for his first pro season.
“Last year everything was new,” said Marcoux. “A new relationship, new terminology and language that we use, everything is brand new and he was just figuring things out. Now we’re in phase two where the terminology isn’t an issue anymore. When we’re talking about details and reviewing clips, we’re talking the same language. Just to get that squared up is important.”
Tirronen’s role on the team has become pretty clearly defined. When the Checkers re-signed Drew MacIntyre this summer, it essentially locked the veteran in as Charlotte’s number one guy. But Tirronen stepped up during camp and won the number two spot over draft pick Daniel Altshuller and free agent addition Anthony Peters.
“He has all kinds of potential,” said Morris. “He’s a big body and he’s had success at the previous level.”
“His communication skills are tremendous,” said Marcoux. “To use that and to help others is a great sign of leadership. You can go a long way with that.”
Taking on that role for the Checkers puts Tirronen in an interesting position. MacIntyre, one of the winningest goalies in AHL history, is the type of goalie who will play a lot of games during the season. The veteran set single-season franchise records in games played and minutes last season for Charlotte, and could be poised to do so again.
“If you want to be an NHLer, at some point you have to be in that situation,” said Marcoux. “You climb up to another level and you start by being the backup before you get your ice time. Mind management is huge. You choose what your thought process is at any given moment.”
Not playing every night can make it tough for a young goalie like Tirronen to continue to develop, but the coaching staff has made sure that the rookie uses his time on the ice to counteract that.
“He has to approach his practices like they’re games,” said Morris. “When you bring that type of commitment and focus to a practice, you’re bound to improve. I think that he’s getting some structure right now.”
“His practices are his games,” said Sr. VP of Hockey Operations Derek Wilkinson, who has been working with the goalies at practice throughout the season. “He has really taken that upon himself. He’s doing a lot of work before and after practice to get ready. He’s learning how to be a great pro from Mac and it’s been good so far.”
Tirronen has appeared in four games for the Checkers this season, three of which were starts. He sports a solid record, going 2-1-0, but hasn’t been without some rookie struggles.
“I’ve seen him better,” said Morris following Saturday’s 3-0 loss to Milwaukee. “His confidence is a little bit suspect right now.”
Morris had more to offer this week regarding the subject of Tirronen’s confidence.
“We have to have compassion for a guy who is new to the pro game, but at the same time he has to understand that we’re in the business of winning and developing,” said Morris. “So there’s a level of responsibility and accountability. I’m hopeful that he’s learning from any shortcomings that he has right now and he’s strengthening those weaknesses.
“I think for him it’s working more toward more consistent efforts and tidying up his game.”
Marcoux has spent this week working with the rookie on improving both the physical and mental aspects of Tirronen.
“To respect the process from a mental standpoint and to be demanding at practice,” said Marcoux of what he wanted Tirronen to continue harping on. “Setting goals for himself and to be a warrior, not a worrier. Compete, battle, and work on details. From a technical standpoint, just to trust that his positioning is sound. Trust that he’s tracking pucks and controlling rebounds.”
Tirronen will likely continue in this role for the time being, backing up MacIntyre, but as the Checkers have seen in years past, it doesn’t take much for there to be a full goalie shakeup throughout the organization. But for now, Tirronen will continue to study the game and work his way through the trials and tribulations of his rookie season.
“He’s a kid that wants to learn,” said Morris. “He embraces the idea that he has to really work at the mental parts of his game and bring a good level of concentration that’s going to endure throughout his career.”
“This is where you build habits, good ones and hopefully no bad ones,” said Marcoux. “He has to understand that it is a process and you have to respect the process and get better. Ron Francis has a great quote: ‘Be an every-dayer’. Guys buy into that. In the long-term picture, we’re going toward something.”
