Hartford's Thomas Pock, 23, is developing into a top-flight AHL defenseman after being converted from center to defense prior to his junior year at Massachusetts-Amherst.
Through his first 47 games this season, he ranked fourth among AHL defensemen with 43 points (11 goals, 32 assists), evidence that he’s retooling well as an offensive-defenseman.
"There are certain things that are instinctive for defensemen because they've been brought up in the position," said Wolf Pack coach Jim Schoenfeld. "Some of them are not yet instinctive for 'Poky.' He has to think about them.
"The thing we're working on is more his play away from the puck, positioning, battling one-on-one, reading rushes. We want to do that to enhance his defensive game but not at the expense of his offensive game."
Pock has improved his reads and his technique, particularly in pinching and not getting caught which leaves his goaltender exposed to odd-man rushes.
"Early in the year that was a major problem for Tom … just reading the rush and knowing when to close the gap and when not to," said Schoenfeld. "He did get burnt for some two-on-ones. But I can't remember the last time he's done that… He's really improved in that department."
The area in which Pock feels that he's improved the most will be found between his ears more than on a stat sheet.
"I have a much higher confidence level," said Pock. "I think that's the biggest difference… Where I think it is going to change much is by reading plays just by (having) experience. That takes time. You see better players and there's a faster pace. There's just a matter of getting used to it. I think I'm getting there, but it's a learning process."
His conversion to D hasn’t been all bad news. It does provide him some opportunities that other D-men may not have because of the offensive playbook that he brings to his position.
"Pock is an offensive defenseman who jumps into the rush when he sees an opportunity," said the scout. "He's a mobile skater in all directions who has good hands and stick-handling ability along with a shot that keeps goaltenders focused on him when he has the puck. But he's also becoming more defensively responsible."
Recognizing and cutting down on mistakes will determine Pock’s future, and he knows it.
"I think it becomes a problem when a player makes the (same) mistake every other game,” Pock observes. “Then it's a matter of: 'Are you not going to figure it out?' That's the difference between good players and great players. Good players mess up a couple more times than great players."
Pock made his NHL debut in 2003-04, where he posted 2-2-4 totals in six games with the Rangers.
Schoenfeld expects Thomas to leave Hartford in his rear-view mirror when he puts all those pieces together.
"He certainly shoots, skates, and passes well enough to play in the NHL. Now, he just has to refine his defensive play."
We rank him at 21 in the MLN FAB50 Hockey 2006 rankings for both his high potential as an NHL player and the question mark of the time that he’ll need to put the final pieces of the D-puzzle into place.
-Mike Scandura
