Jaffray finally gets his chance

GRANT KERR

From Thursday's Globe and Mail

December 19, 2007 at 9:03 PM EST

VANCOUVER — Vancouver Canucks rookie Jason Jaffray could easily be called the "I've been everywhere man" of the team after spending five years in the minor leagues before reaching the NHL.

The undrafted forward is finally living his dream by taking a regular shift with the Canucks alongside wingers Mason Raymond and Taylor Pyatt over four games.

The unlikely trio — Jaffray and Raymond were summoned from the Manitoba Moose last week — could even be considered Vancouver's No. 2 line after an injury to Brendan Morrison put the veteran centre on the sideline after wrist surgery.

"This means everything in the world to me," Jaffray said this week. "You kind of wait for your break to get to this point, forever it seems like.

"The last couple of years I've had solid seasons [in the AHL]. You wait, hoping for opportunity. Then it comes along.

"The Canucks' organization is looking for some offence. I'm not going to fill the void of a Brendan Morrison, obviously, but hopefully, I can help them a little bit, chip in here and there. I'm getting some power play time."

Jaffray, 26, broke into the NHL against the Anaheim Ducks and scored in the second period on Dec. 12. It turned out to be the winning goal in a 3-2 decision at the Honda Center. He also had an assist that memorable night, on a goal by Raymond, a rookie professional.

Being called up to a higher level is nothing new for Jaffray. He was promoted from the ECHL to the AHL in the 2003 and 2004 seasons.

"Usually when you get called up, you get three or four shifts on the fourth line, then sit out a game, play a game," Jaffray said. "This [with Vancouver] is overwhelming and you've got to take advantage of it."

Jaffray hasn't had a point in three games since his NHL debut. He was given 17 shifts on Tuesday by head coach Alain Vigneault, good for 13 minutes 39 seconds during a 5-0 win over the New Jersey Devils.

Nearly four minutes came on power plays, and Jaffray won seven of his 10 faceoffs. He had one shot on goal and one blocked shot and was credited for one hit.

"I read the papers and I know how long guys are out for, that sort of thing," Jaffray said. "It's nice to have a few games to try and prove yourself.

"You want the organization to have a tough decision when those [injured] guys get back. When Brendan comes back, maybe they'll want to keep me around, slide me in and out of the lineup."

Morrison isn't likely to return until mid-March. Also missing from recent games were forwards Brad Isbister (groin) and Jeff Cowan (shoulder). Isbister resumed skating with the Canucks yesterday.

Jaffray's minor-league tour included stops in the ECHL with the Roanake Express and Wheeling Nailers. He played in the AHL for the Norfold Admirals, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Cleveland Barons and Manitoba.

Vigneault was Jaffray's coach two years ago and moved the player to the centre position from left wing after the Moose encountered several injuries to pivots.

"At that time, I wasn't comfortable with the position, but I was the only guy winning draws," Jaffray recalled. "I was getting more ice time, so I didn't say a thing about being tossed up a couple lines.

"It's the same thing here. If there's a centre position that opens up, it's nice to be familiar with the position. If you're not getting scored upon, the offensive things are going to happen."

Jaffray, born in Rimby, Alta., west of Red Deer, has experienced his share of disappointments. He lost an older brother, Steven, in a car accident when Jason was 11. In junior, he was captain of the Kootenay Ice, but was traded at midseason the year the WHL team won the Memorial Cup.

Being told he had to improve his skating meant training last summer in Winnipeg with several teammates. Jaffray bought a house and moved his wife and daughter to Manitoba.

"You've got to keep telling yourself, every time you get the puck, to move your feet, move your feet," Jaffray added. "You keep practising it until it just happens. Be consistent."

For the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Jaffray, how long it happens in the NHL will be up to him. This is his opportunity to prove he belongs there for good."

Special to The Globe and Mail

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