Sunday, March 16, 2008

David Reekie: Is He A Liability?

There have been several discussions on David Reekie, and the question is usually "Is David Reekie a liability for the Stars?" There has been so much discussion, I thought I'd put a blog post out there let my feelings go on this subject.

David Reekie is a WHL veteran, and that league is usually known for being the roughest and toughest of the Canadian Hockey Leagues. I guess it should come as no surprise he's a little meaner than most goalies and pretty defensive when players get in his crease. It seems that playing the Lancers brings out the worst in Reekie. I'd guess that since it's a big rivalry, it gets heated on the ice pretty quickly, and emotions get out of control. Sure he may slash and jab at shins, but lots of goalies do. If they don't, maybe they should so that they can clear lanes to see the puck. From what I've seen of Reekie, he's just a great goalie and there were no slashes or anything if anyone got in his crease. I guess he just doesn't like Omaha :)

Reekie has racked of 45 PIM, but how many have really hurt his team? Sure it's never good for a goalie to have that many penalties, but he's a good enough goalie where he can make up for it by shutting down the opposing team's powerplay unit.

There has also been some talk about him disrespecting USA during the National Anthem by moving and twitching while the song is being sung. Now really, who cares? Goalies are probably the most superstitious players out there, and they start doing something once and pretty soon it's part of their "routine". Most players move or sway during the Anthem, so why not single them out? I can't say I've noticed him, but I guess I am too busy paying attention to the flag. I feel this reason is just a reach to try and dislike him. I have noticed many other goalies move and twitch in previous years, but in no way do I see that as disrespecting anything.

How about his hotheadedness? This kid plays with emotion and fire that I only wish more players played with. He's not afraid to let his teammates know what they did wrong and he becomes a leader that way. Some goalies are able to hold emotions in better than others, but for me personally, I think him showing his emotions and being angry when he loses shows just how competitive he is and how badly he wants to win.

Let's take a look at the stats. Prior to Reekie's arrival, Lincoln was floating near the bottom with Nick Hopper and Kevin Murdock manning the pipes. Unfortunately, Hopper didn't play as hoped, and a changed needed to be made, so it was. Reekie arrived late November/early December and has been nothing less than stellar. David has gone on to post a 20-8-3 record, propelling the Stars to 3rd place in the West and a playoff position. In 32 games played, Reekie has allowed just 60 goals for a 1.92 goals against average, and a save percentage of 93.9%. He leads the league in shutouts with 5.

Where would Lincoln be had they kept Hopper and never added Reekie? They might not even be in the playoff hunt. The Stars have played much better since they added Reekie, as they play with more confidence. The forwards are able to take more chances since they know they have someone capable of stopping the puck behind them. The first time I saw Lincoln play since the addition of Reekie, I noticed how much better they played as a team. They didn't have to worry about Hopper playing the puck and being out of position.

Perhaps the only downside could be that Kevin Murdock is getting almost no ice time. Murdock has appeared in just 4 games since Reekie arrived, starting only twice. The first start was due to a 1 game suspension Reekie was serving. In the second, Kevin nearly posted a shutout in Des Moines. Maybe with Lincoln having their playoff spot wrapped up, Murdock will get some more playing time to develop and be ready to play a bulk of Lincoln's games next season.

Bottom line, Reekie is a type of player you'd love to have on your team, but the type you hate if he's not. He's the type you like to hate, not only because of how good he is, but because of the passion he brings. If he played for Omaha, Lancer fans would love him and Lincoln fans would hate him. That's just the nature of the beast, I suppose.

So is David Reekie a liability? I think the answer for me is no, and it's quite clear at that. He keeps Lincoln in nearly every game and made them a top team in the league. I don't think Lincoln fans would trade Reekie for anyone, and I don't blame them.

52 comments:

Anonymous said...

I would concur on your assessment. He definitely helps the team.

As far as the national anthem thing, not really a big deal, I haven't noticed it. Jan Chovan used to loudly scrape his skates during the anthem & that bugged me a little, not sure if it was the action or just because he was a Musketeer...

Hothead? Oh yeah. When he got pulled in SF he let everyone on the bench have it when he got there, to the point of being excessive. Someone should have sent him a burp rag & a warm bottle of milk.

Lincoln signing him does show that the W's are just as important as player development though, but I wouldn't fault my team for making the same move in the same situation.

Anonymous said...

Most of Reekie's penalty minutes came in one incident in one game. As far as the shuffling during the anthem, the league has dictated that everyone stand still and not leave their spot until the anthem is completely finished. Only the officials comply with this edict and the league doesn't bother to enforce it.

My concern with Reekie is that he's being overused. To say Murdock might get more time now that a playoff spot is clinched is laughable. Who started against Des Moines this past Friday? If Reekie were to get hurt and not be able to play, Murdock won't be ready and he would have to play every minute until Reekie could return, because of the rosters being frozen.

The Stars have rolled the dice, because they believe they can win the Clark Cup this year. Signing Reekie was a great move. Moving as many draft picks as they did for Hayes may help for this year, but could prove to hurt a lot for the next two, three, four years. We shall see I guess.

Anonymous said...

I have seen more goalies than anyone shift back and forth during the National Anthem. Matt Dalton for the Bucs last year was the worst I've seen at it, but from what I know no one said a thing about him doing it, because he was a great goalie. Same with Reekie, I have never noticed him doing it.

Anonymous said...

Draft picks are a joke, Lincoln has always shipped them away and this season was no different. Just look at our 2007 entry draft, Lincoln thrived this year off inviting kids to tryout camp like Sdao and making acquisitions like Kretzer, Forfar, Reekie, Messier:

1st pick - cut before season started
2nd pick - never showed
3rd pick - traded to NAHL early in season
4th pick - traded midway through
5th pick - Jake Newton
6th pick - never showed
7th pick - cut at tryouts
8th pick - never showed
9th pick - never showed
10th pick - cut at tryouts
11th pick - never showed
12th pick - cut at tryouts
13th pick - Nick Hopper, traded
14th pick - never showed

Anonymous said...

Regarding Reekie, it has never been my position that he is a liability to his team in terms of winning and loosing. Clearly Reekie is a very solid goaltender and gives Lincoln a chance to win almost any game.

Regarding the national anthem, big deal. I would prefer that all players show some respect during the national anthem, and that all teams strongly encourage their players to show respect during the anthem. But hey, if Barak Obama does not have to put his hand over his heart, why should Reekie have to stand still?

Regarding Reekie's physical play, I have no problem with goalies tapping the back of players legs or clearing his goal crease. I do have a problem with a goalie cross checking players outside his crease or high sticking guys outside the crease. My bigger problem is that if a goalie is going to cross check or high stick players outside his crease, then he should be man enough to follow up and drop the gloves if he gets challenged by a player, not go hide in the goal crease and have his teammates protect him.

Regarding leadership. There is no "I" in team. It should not matter to Reekie if his team wins 7-6 on 1-0. Showing up your teammates on the ice in front of fans is not be a team player or a leader.

So yes, I agree that in no way is Reekie a liabililty to Lincoln as clearly they win more games with him playing than before he came.

Just my observations.

Tom
Wahoo, NE

Anonymous said...

The guy is a absolute basket case, I am a host parent and you should hear some of the on ice comments he comes up with. It is common knowledge to stand still and pay attention when any, yes any nations anthem is played. Yes players do fidget and slide there skates and move their sticks but some of Reekies movements are absolutely excessive. Americans die for what our flag stands for and all we ask is he pays a little attention while the anthem is playing. Once he was in the crease sliding his skates back and forth preparing the ice while 2 children sang and his skates sounds pretty much drowned out the childrens voice, way to excessive. Nobody says you have to stand still but he needs to show a little more respect. As his talents, yes very good goalie and no, I would not say he is a liability, but when it comes to goalie of the year in no way is he deserving because of his repeated actions which we have requested be stopped while our anthem is playing, just my opinion

Anonymous said...

hes the best payed goalie in the ushl!!

Anonymous said...

first off, he's a canadian. second, hes 20 years old. he's still a kid and prone to mistakes. go to an NHL game, you will see players from europe talking during the anthem. its not a big deal, and it should be dropped, youre all just nitpicking cuz you have nothing else. he is the goalie of the year and possible player of the year. look at his stats, he has some of the best stats we've seen a goalie put up in this league in a looong time and the teams dramatic improvement since his addition to the team as hes played nearly every game as well. its been a long time since a single goaltender has changed the whole dynamic of a team in this league. obviously hes doing something right if we're all still talking about him right?

Anonymous said...

...Its been a long time since a single goaltender has changed the whole dynamic of a team in this league.

Like Palmisano did for Omaha in the 2nd half of 2006-2007?

I have never seen a goalie take a stick to someones' face like Reekie did to Novak either. That's just downright dangerous.

But, I digerss since the question is, "Is Reekie a liability to the Stars?" He is an outstanding talent, and fun for any hockey fan to watch without a doubt.

I can't help but think of two things:

1. Let's be honest. What is the purpose of a 10 minute penalty to a goalie? This is the silliest rule in the USHL. It only shows up on a stats sheet. Even a 2 minute penalty isn't terrible, espescially for him, he IS Lincoln's best penalty killer, as any team's goalie should be. Look at who serves ANY goalie's penalty. It doesnt take a rocket surgeon to figure this one out, (goalie penalties don't matter much). Maybe if more goalies played like him then they would be AS impactful, if not more impactful to their teams.

2. If he was such a commodity in the "W", why was he not put on the Silvertips' IR list? I know he was sick for 2 months and they can only have 3 over age players as well, but the decission was made to trade him to the "O" after no one in the "W" cleared a spot (in the beginning of the season mind you, not the play off rush). There was plenty of time for him to get better. Then he sees no ice, or an IR list in the "O". maybe someone saw him as a liability?

So, is he a liabilty to the Stars? It depends. When guys rattle him, invade his space, and he lets a few in, then yes. Especially when he gets a game ejection because of how he decides to handle it. Let's face it, Lincoln would have taken it to Omaha had he and Madolora not thrown down... But, when he is on his game and everyone is doing their part to contribute to the team, he is a Catalyst (with a capital "C"), not a liability. He's the Goalie version of Chris Pronger. You either love him for his ability, or you dislike him for his attitude, because if we dislike him for his ability... well, then... we're just jealous aren't we?

Anonymous said...

I think Palmisano is going to catch him as his numbers are going up, the league has found his weaknesses and are exploiting them, take a look at his numbers 2 months ago and now, Palmisano Goalie of the Year did I say again

Anonymous said...

Even if Palmisano catches Reekie in terms of stats..who cares? The fact that so many fans from other teams are talking about him must mean he's doing his job. He's the main reason why the Stars are a playoff team this season. Without him, they'd be in trouble. Palmisano plays on a much better team, so his numbers should be better.

For my team, I'll take a kid with swagger and emotion over a kid who takes nights off, or stops playing because he has "scholarship-itis" any day. I wish my team would have more players like Reekie.

Anonymous said...

...Its been a long time since a single goaltender has changed the whole dynamic of a team in this league.

Like Palmisano did for Omaha in the 2nd half of 2006-2007?

Yeah but palmisano didnt have nearly the numbers that reekie has at this time. reekie certainly has won games single handedly, and theres no doubt about that. palmisano came to a team with GOALIE problems and goalie problems only, and palmisano wasnt even the main guy there, they also had Valent. the guy they put in net come playoff crunch time was Valent. reekie came to a team with a WHOLE LIST of problems. thats what i meant by saying that statement because all of lincolns problems seemed to just "work out" once he arrived. without a doubt they are great goaltenders, and i like them both. i just feel reekie has done a great job for the stars and its something we havent seen in awhile especially in lincoln where lets just say, they D like to pinch.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, I herd he makes 500 a week, that's a lot of $$!!!

Anonymous said...

Palmisano came to a team with GOALIE problems and goalie problems only...

According to the USHL Lincoln has had 9 total roster moves this year.(1 add and 1 del = 1 move, and IR's don't count). Omaha had 12 last year. Goalie problems only... Hardly. Omaha couldn't win a game to save their lives at the begining of last season, and it wasn't just Goalies, look at the entire team output to that point.

So, I don't believe the "better team" argument. It's actually a very similar story. both teams struggled at the begining of their respective seasons. Both teams wound up in the playoffs because their coaches / GM' made several of the right roster moves including Goalies. Same story, different year, different team. All of Omaha's problems seemed to dissapear last year when Palmisano arived as well, until the playoffs. So you make a good point about Valent (touche'). However, Lincoln won't have the "Valent" option this year if Reekie continues to allow himself to be rattled (when I feel he is a liability). So I agree with the poster that touched on Murdock. What's important right now? Winning games after a playoff spot is clinched, or a better chance at winning the Clark Cup. Getting Murdock some ice time to prepare him for a possible Reekie meltdown as well as some rest for Reekie may be what the Doctor orders. Playoff hockey is a different monster, we see see it every year at all levels. But hey it's right around the corner (and I can't wait), so we'll find out soon enough, eh?

I still believe Reekie is an outstanding talent, and again, he is the Chris Pronger of Goalies...

Anonymous said...

Or maybe because Omaha is the ( and SF a couple times) only team in his division that continually beats him

Anonymous said...

he really gets paid? wow.

Anonymous said...

no, he doesn't

Anonymous said...

Yes, he does get paid. As a foriegn born player he cannot get a job here that would normally be filled by an American. Therefore he (and all foreign players) can be paid by the team. I have heard he does very, very well and he should. Before he got here, the crowds were starting to fall because the team was terrible.

The Stars opened up the checkbook and paid the Canadian league big bucks for his rights and pay him a nice salary to play.

The anthem should be respected by everyone on the ice. He does MUCH more than shift his feet. He ignores the anthem and goes into his little pre-game dance routine. As a veteran, I find this sickening. If he doesn't respect the country he is in and the native land of most of his teamates, he should quit and go back to Canada. He isn't going to college anyway, he would be better off in Canada. But we would suck again on the ice.

Yeti said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Ahhhh, yes. Here come the trolls. "He's getting paid by the Stars. He's making all kinds of money. He drives an Escalade. His goalie stick is made of solid gold! blah, blah, blah." So the Stars are paying him, eh? Can't prove it? Strike one.

"crowds starting to fall" is about the dumbest statement I've read on this blog. Regardless of the teams record, the Stars have never had a problem with attendance. Strike two.

FYI...because of his years in the WHL, Reekie will get a free ride for 5 years to a Canadian university. Strike three.

This Reekie obsession by some is fun to read. Don't let me stop you. The fact that so many love to hate this kid makes me smile.

BTW, if you folks want to talk about goaltenders who are a liability, look no further than Chicago's Nick Pisellini. He makes Reekie look like Mother Teresa.

Anonymous said...

Yes, he does get paid. As a foriegn born player he cannot get a job here...

Green Card.

The Stars opened up the checkbook and paid the Canadian league big bucks for his rights...

All teams have to do this. It is an agreement between the USHL and other leagues.

Because of his years in the WHL, Reekie will get a free ride for 5 years to a Canadian university...

To my understanding it is a one year for one year deal. Didn't he only play one year in the "W"?

Anonymous said...

Anon 8:26 Reekie spent 5 yrs in the WHL.
What I want to know is why didn't anyone start rumors about any of the Canadian goalies that Omaha has had? Or why doesn't anyone seem to notice if their goalie is moving during the anthem. What about all the fans who decide to wander in and out of the arena during the anthem. Or the guys who don't remove their hats. How about exiling all them to another country? To me this just proves there is WAY to much obsession with the Lincoln Stars. Maybe ya'll should spend as much time worrying about your own team as worrying about the Stars.

Anonymous said...

Who cares about Reekie or the scars? Who is in first place and by along ways? Its River City and the gaged goons. Maybe the talk should be about them.

Another SC fan

Anonymous said...

ain't kickin Sewer Cities ass sweet!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Which is worse, a player moving during the anthem or 500 fans screaming the word "Star" twice during Anthem?

Tom
Wahoo, NE

Yeti said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Tom...I guess it's been awhile since you've been to Lincoln for a home game. The yelling of "Stars" during the national anthem stopped shortly after 9/11. I'm not sure what this has to do with David Reekie (other than more Stars obsession), but I thought I'd let you know.

Anonymous said...

It was acceptable behaivor of fans to yell "Star" during the anthem prior to 9-11?

Rest assure, I have no "Stars Obsession". Rather, if you read my prior post, my problem with Reekie has more to do with his leadership issues and his stickwork to players out of his crease. I think the anthem issue is just an extension of Reekie's attitude. He does not show much respect of teammates, officials, or the USA as a whole. I think Reekie is all about Reekie.

Tom
Wahoo, NE

Anonymous said...

I stand corrected. I could only find 1 year of data in the "W" for him. That's why I asked about it. I must not have looked in the right places. Either way, good for him. He has a college education paid for which is what we strive for as many young men as possible in the USHL.

I didn't address anything about the anthem, besides Omaha's last Candian goalie was Gudmandson... Uhh. ummmm, enough said.

I don't think it's an obsession with Lincoln, just Reekie. It just proves he's the real deal. Besides, I'm a goalie freak since I was one when I was younger (remember we are all a little off in the head).

I don't think anyone is worrying about the Stars, just discussing it. I thought this forum was for discussing current, former, and future USHL players, along with current league happenings.

I just wish we could tell the serious posts from the sarcastic ones.

Ryan - One of the best posts ever. You have a lot of people thinking during a great time of year for our sport!

Anonymous said...

Ryan:

This is a great topic. I thought your topic about officals and penalty minutes called against certain teams was very interested. I was disappointed when it disappered from the board. Why did it disappear? Any chance that the info could be posted on here or over on the "Finish your Check" board?

Tom
Wahoo, NE

Anonymous said...

"It was acceptable behaivor of fans to yell "Star" during the anthem prior to 9-11?"

Nope. I never said it was. I was just pointing out an inaccuracy with your post.

"I think the anthem issue is just an extension of Reekie's attitude. He does not show much respect of teammates, officials, or the USA as a whole."

Hilarious. If this kid was playing for Omaha, you'd never be saying these things. Do you know Reekie personally? How can you people judge a person just by a couple of games? Do you know how he is in the locker room? Do you know what his teammates think of him? Do you know how he really treats officials? The way you Omaha fans describe it, Reekie takes a crap on the American flag before every game.

Stop being uninformed, pretentious hockey fans and worry more about your own team not getting beat in the first round of the playoffs....again.

Anonymous said...

I love your post when you won't even identify who you are. Really bold statements you make Mr. Anonymous.

No, I don't know Reekie personally. Yes, I do know what he has said to teammates on the ice and in the locker room. Do you know him personally? Do you know what he says to teammates? Judging that a Stars houseparent confirms what I have heard, (see post below my first post) I would bet my information is accurate. Regarding treating officials, I have seen officials tell me to shut up, and his contiuing antics result in a misconduct.

And regarding your comment that if he played for Omaha I would love him shows your nonobjectivity. Trust me, the Lancers have had their fair share of players that I have disliked, and other teams have hundreds of players that I would say nothing but good things about.

As for the remainder of your post, it does not dignify response as your lack of credability is obvious.

Tom
Wahoo, NE

Anonymous said...

So because you're "Tom in Wahoo"...that makes you any more less anonymous? If I look up "Tom" in the Wahoo white pages, will I find you? Here's a hint: we're ALL anonymous on the internet.

"No, I don't know Reekie personally."

Wow, that's a shocker. The way you continue to make it known, you know him quite well. Unless your part of the Stars team, or coaches...you don't know ANYTHING about him. So I'm now supposed to believe an anonymous poster who they are a host parent? Yeah, ok. You might feel comfortable taking a big bite of that bait, but I don't. You're just another misguided Omaha fan. It's pretty sad that grown "adults" continue to bash Reekie because he is "on the bad team."

If Reekie was on a team like Des Moines or Green Bay, nobody would have a problem with him at all. It would be a non-issue, like it should.

Enjoy another first round loss, Tom in Wahoo.

Signed,

Bill in Kazakhstan

Anonymous said...

Have you noticed it continues to be the Lincoln Stars who have issues with our countrys anthem, and of course the "You Suck" chants
that continue to echo in every rink. How in the world does anyone find it in any way competitive to say that to these kids. One dummy in Lincoln told me it was a good way to get them ready for the NHL, what a idiot he was

Anonymous said...

Bill:

I notice you don't answer if you know Reekie, or any of the players, or have any personal info regarding Reekie. I think we can all judge who is misguided.

Tom
Wahoo, NE

Anonymous said...

Tom...Even if I said I know Reekie (and his family) personally, which I do, you'd never believe me. So what's the point? You can't argue with stupid. But please, don't let that stop your continued erroneous attacks. Keep digging that hole.

-Bill

Anonymous said...

"If Reekie was on a team like Des Moines or Green Bay, nobody would have a problem with him at all. It would be a non-issue, like it should."

I second this. It's nothing more than fans being pissed off that for once Lincoln has an honest shot at the Clark Cup. As a Buc fan, since I can no longer root for my team in the playoffs, I'll be rooting for Lincoln and Reekie(though I think Murdock is also a good goalie)

Anonymous said...

lets all hold hands and sing "cumbayah"

reekie is god and god makes a nice salary.

leave it alone.

stars rule, mcgroarity for COY!!

Anonymous said...

Palmisano goalie of the year, Reekie the Freekie freak of the year

Anonymous said...

By the way Mcgroarty threw the marker, he had the marker in one hand and the markerboard in the other, then he lets his asst. take the fall, wow what a lot of class that was, the whole Lincoln bunch are a bunch of vagabonds, and over 1440 penalty minutes, tops in the league, it interesting watching the freakshow, one screball after another

Anonymous said...

I cannot score on this guy. It's impossible.

Anonymous said...

you might not be able to, but I sure can!

Anonymous said...

pfffft! I've never heard of you. Go back to the pond, rookie.

Anonymous said...

you better back up son. I own the Stars. I have 4 goals on the year and 3 are against Lincoln, half against this Reekie character.

Anonymous said...

Who you calling son, pimpleface? By the way, how did your (crappy) team do in those games against The Reekie?

That was a rhetorical question...so you don't have to answer it.

Chuck Norris....out.

Anonymous said...

Does not matter how my team did. The only thing that matters is how I do. I look out for me and my stats only!

Anonymous said...

lolz. You sound like a typical TC Storm player, Danny. Only out for yourself.

Is it true your head coach is going to leave to become the next Omaha Lancers coach? Is it also true the entire organization could be sold..and that the team name/colors could be changed?

Chuck Norris loves this blog.

Anonymous said...

heard they paid the league so Geekie could come back for another year. First 21 year old in league history!!

Anonymous said...

I have to post as anonymous because I don't want to lose my new job as a hockey coach for Lincoln's only Tier 1 team.

Reekie is a disgrace and a huge financial liability to our team, eerrrr the Stars. However like I just said, I don't want to lose my job so I (and the owners and the fans) are willing to turn our heads to this. After all, winning is everything here in Lincoln.

Anonymous said...

Hi My Name is David and I am not going to say who I play for but you will have to guess. Anyway I do not think that I am in anyway rude to my teammates, and I do not thinkI have any problems, HEY GET THE FREAK AWAY FROM ME, DO NOT COME INTO MY ROOM LIKE THAT, YOU TAKE HIM, AND WHY DID NOT YOU TAKE HIM, WHAT THE FREAK ARE YOU IDIOTS DOING, anyway excuse me I had a moment, yes I am a little different, and I told my coach Jimmy never to throw anything on the ice again EH

Anonymous said...

There it is Reekie the Freekie number 2 in the USHL, the honeymoon is over, the freak is out,

Anonymous said...

Reekie is a fabulous Goalie if you had seen him on the ice tonight he is the one that is keeping us in the playoffs at this point. Good job way to go!