NLL Insider

Steve Hutchins came into this year as the first pick in the second round, No. 15 overall in the 2007 NLL Entry Draft. Edmonton were slotted to pick No. 20 overall, but moved up in the draft to select the Whitby forward by trading to Boston Dan Finck and their No. 20 pick (Keegan Davidson).

When I talked to former Rush head coach Paul Day after their 2008 camp, he said he expected Hutchins to play a depth role, but noted to watch out if he got in.

“He is young but he may surprise some people and, who knows if he gets into some action we may never take him out,” said Day.

Hutchins got that opportunity in Edmonton’s last game when the team’s top scorer Mike Accursi was sick. Hutchins not only cracked the line-up, he also ended up on the powerplay and recorded one goal, six points in Edmonton’s first victory of the season, a 9-7 win over Portland.

Edmonton’s new GM and head coach Bob Hamley now has to decide if Steve will be in the line-up moving forward.

You were selected No. 15 overall. Was it tough to sit those early games?
“I tried to basically keep things positive and they (the coaching staff) told me I’d get my shot as soon as possible, they were just trying to feel things out. And you know, soon enough I got my first game in against Chicago (Jan. 26).”

The last game you guys played (Mar. 1), you picked up six points and were named NLL Rookie of the Week. It was just your second game. Can you talk about it?
“Basically I had a bit of an opportunity on my hand. We had Accursi go out before the game with a bit of a flu and so I needed to step up and pick up some extra floor time. And I found my self on the powerplay all of a sudden. I just tried to make the best of it, and tried to play my game a little better than I did against Chicago. I tried to change some things and it worked out better obviously for the second game.”

What was it that you tried to change up?
“I basically tried to get back to the game that got me to the NLL. I just didn’t think I played my style of play the first game, so I tried to kind of go back to what I do best and start from there.”

And is there a story from you playing back at Whitby with a bad leg?
“Yeah. I had my foot injured there in playoffs last year, so I ended up missing a couple of games and we found ourselves down three games to Six Nations, so I tried to make a come-back. I ended up getting five goals that game. We won the game and forced it to the next game but eventually we ended up losing out to them.”

Six Nations went on to capture the Minto Cup, led by Craig Point (Minnesota), Shawn Evans (Rochester) and Cody Jamieson. Hutchins had led Whitby in regular season scoring with over 50 points. 

What’s been the biggest difference between Jr. A and pro?
“I think the biggest thing I noticed right away is definitely the speed… And just the precision the guys move the ball with, passing and catching.”

The best piece of advice you’ve ever picked up?
“You have to be willing to work hard. And with hard work comes a lot of fun. If you’re willing to work hard and do what you want to do, it can be a lot of fun and it can lead to a lot of different things in life… There are a lot of different, great experiences where lacrosse can take you.”

Back to the Rush, is Hamley making a difference already?
“He believes in everybody’s skills and experiences out there. I think he’s kind of giving guys a little more confidence out there to relax and basically do what they can do.”

Have you re-assessed your goals as a team?
“As a team I think it stays the same. We need to make playoffs. We’re not far out of it even though we have just the one win. You look ahead at Portland and Calgary and they’re only two games ahead of us. We’ve got a chance at the end here to play Calgary three more times, and if we can make up some room on them, anything can happen after that.”

Next up is Rochester, Saturday. Are you in the line-up?
“I haven’t been told yet.”

Edmonton’s other rookie Kevin Olson was released last week.

The Rush play next on Saturday when they host the defending champion Rochester Knighthawks, immediately followed by the All-Star Skills Competition.

Edmonton’s Jimmy Quinlan will be in the trick-shot contest, but Hutchins said he didn’t know what Quinlan had planned. For more on the Skills Competition, visit the NLL.com or the edmontonrush.com.

The NLL All-Star Game also takes places in Edmonton on Sunday, March 16.

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