A Tale of two 'tenders

How many paths lead from Sault Saint Marie, Ontario, to the NHL as a No. 1 netminder?

Vancouver's Dan Cloutier, a Quebec native who played junior hockey for the Soo Greyhounds, and Dallas' Marty Turco, who was born in the Soo, are proving that at least two trails exist. And both end up in the same place at roughly the same time despite their divergent routes.

Both goalies are emerging as legitimate go-to guys at the NHL level. Cloutier has a bit of a jump on Turco, having carried the Canucks to the postseason last year. But Turco earned his opportunity this year as the Stars' main man, thanks to his stellar play as Ed Belfour's backup the past two seasons. His cumulative goals-against average of 2.00 in that role led the NHL over that span and made Dallas management secure enough to let the Eagle fly Big D for Toronto.

Turco is leading the league in goals against this season, seizing the opportunity and proving his seasoning as an understudy was not all for naught. In fact, Turco's impressive ascent points to two things -- his talent and the value of a solid hockey upbringing.

When it comes to guidance, the two benefited from the timely touch of longtime NHL goaltender Andy Moog. He was the goalie consultant for the Canucks the last few years and is now an assistant coach with the Stars. Moog's insight into the position has proven invaluable for both Cloutier and Turco and it goes beyond mechanics.

Moog was a first-rate puckstopper in his own right, but he also was part of two great goaltending tandems in his day -- first in Edmonton with Grant Fuhr, and later in his career with Rejean Lemelin in Boston. Moog recognizes the importance of compatible partners and the effect one goaltender can have on the other, especially with young guys trying to establish their credentials on legitimate contenders.

That important element went into the decision by the Stars to trade for capable and compatible veteran Ron Tugnutt to solidify the duo. In Vancouver, Moog felt that the easygoing, confident style of veteran Bob Essensa rubbed off favorably on Cloutier when he first arrived from Tampa Bay. That brings up the variation in the development between the two and the different point at which Moog entered the process for each.

When Cloutier arrived in Vancouver, he was a bundle of insecurities, the byproduct of having too many pucks elude him while plying his trade for a weak Lightning team. The Canucks believed in his ability, probably more so than Cloutier himself at the time. Slowly, though, he began to relax a little bit -- the Essensa influence -- and started to enjoy things a bit more. Vancouver went to the playoffs that season, a vast turnaround from Cloutier's cumulative 12-43-6 mark while with the Bolts. He began to see the possibilities of success in a starting capacity.

Cloutier's experience was largely game-intensive, having played major junior and prematurely seen game service as a starter at the NHL level -- long before he could develop confidence in his ability. Moog had to get Cloutier to move mentally beyond his early struggles.

Conversely, Turco lacked only opportunity when Moog entered the picture in Dallas. Moog's challenge in this situation was making sure Turco was comfortable with the change in rhythm in becoming a starter, where preparing to play every other day becomes the mindset. After all, Turco's practice-to-game ratio was the complete opposite to that of Cloutier, having played college hockey at the University of Michigan and then playing every third or fourth game as the No. 2 guy in Dallas.

However, along the way he won the most games in NCAA history and two national championships. Turco immediately posted gaudy numbers as a pro, first in the IHL and then in the NHL, winning the Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award for posting the league's best save percentage as a rookie. Unlike Cloutier, Turco wasn't rushed and subsequently, his confidence never took a hit. That didn't make the waiting any easier, though. It did, however, give him the best chance at success when his time did finally arrive.

That time is now, for both Turco and Cloutier.

 

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