The Jeremy Stevenson Web Blog

Stevenson Catching On With Stars and Fans

Hat Tip to the Dallas Stars Message Board:
From the Dallas Morning News:

Stevenson a unique addition


02:25 AM CDT on Friday, April 7, 2006
By GERRY FRALEY / The Dallas Morning News



ANAHEIM, Calif. — For the Stars, the NHL playoffs begin two weeks from tonight. In the second season, defenseman Willie Mitchell said, it will become clearer that "the Stars are lucky to have a player like Jeremy Stevenson.’’

When the Stars picked up Stevenson from Nashville on a waiver claim during the Olympic break, they added an unusual role player. Stevenson also has the experience of being a first-line left winger during a long playoff run.

During the 2003 playoffs, Minnesota coach Jacques Lemaire put Stevenson on a line with scorers Wes Walz and Marian Gaborik. Stevenson did the grunt work along the boards, allowing Walz and Gaborik the freedom to do their things. The Wild unexpectedly reached the Western Conference finals.

"He brought a lot of enthusiasm and passion,’’ said Mitchell, a teammate of Stevenson with Minnesota. "He works his butt off and competes every day. In the playoffs, you want to have guys like that.’’

For the same reasons, Stevenson has grown on Stars coach Dave Tippett.

Stevenson had only one point and an even rating in 13 games with the Stars. Stevenson’s contributions will not light up a stat sheet.

Tippett sees Stevenson as a forward who can win contests for the puck along the boards and take on one-on-one battles. Tippett likes Stevenson’s involvement in games despite his limited role.

Stevenson has a refined sense of how to play the game, Tippett said. That is the result of more than good coaching.

"A lot of players are well-coached, but the player has to be willing to take it into the game,’’ Tippett said. "He does that. He knows how to apply himself."

Tippett did not use Stevenson in Thursday’s 5-3 win over Anaheim, which clinched the club’s seventh Pacific Division title in the last nine seasons. The physical nature of play at the Arrowhead Pond served as a reminder that Stevenson could become more important if these teams meet in the playoffs.

There is no chance of Stevenson being thrown in with Mike Modano and Jere Lehtinen on the top line. Stevenson is more likely to be used on a crasher fourth line along with Steve Ott and probably Stu Barnes, if Bill Guerin reclaims his spot on the second line.

Stevenson readily embraces the role, because it brings another shot at the playoffs.

"I want to be there again,’’ Stevenson said. "It depends on how they call it, but I don’t think it’s going to change. The playoffs probably will still be physical, and you have to play with grit. That’s the kind of game I can play.’’

In two weeks, Jeremy Stevenson gets the chance.

Jeremy did great for the Wild in the playoffs. He would have done well for Nashville, if they would have let him. I think he could be an X-factor for the Stars. I am hoping to see Jeremy come the 18th in Columbus.

That Last Time Jeremy Was in Town...

Right before Nashville made the mistake of their lives, Jeremy was in town with the Preds and the club was there. We stayed in the same hotel as the teams, coming up to see Minnesota and Nashville in Columbus. We got to hang with Jeremy a little, and he even put his wife on hold a couple of times to talk to us. Jeremy did not play, but we enjoyed talking to him and catching up with him. As usual, he was his gracious self. However, one could see and think that things were coming to a head, as he sounded aggravated about not playing, and seemed a little down. A few days later, the jerks put him on waivers. Oh well, he is on a division champ now!!!!