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DEL.ICIO.USQuiet Hossa enjoying anonymity
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
A Slovakian hockey star in Atlanta by way of Ottawa doesn’t quite carry the same level of recognition around here as, say, a left tackle from Auburn.
But that level of anonymity has served Marian Hossa well. He ranks eighth in the NHL in scoring but could scream his name in the Five Points MARTA station and people would just look at him like, well, like anybody else screaming their name in the Five Points MARTA station.
“In some ways I like that because I have more privacy in my life,” the Thrashers’ right winger said Friday. “I can walk anywhere and nobody knows me. Basically, I can go shopping and don’t even think about it.”
Think about this: On a night when the Thrashers dumped Pittsburgh, 6-4, Hossa quietly –- truth is, he really doesn’t scream -– contributed another goal and two assists. It gives him 10 points in the last four games, 16 in the last nine and 52 on the season.
While the Thrashers -– 9-2-3 in the last 14 games -– have evolved into a playoff contender, Hossa has at least reaffirmed his identity inside the arena. When he scored two goals in the Dany Heatley Returns Game, Atlanta fans actually chanted his name. Name chanting generally has not been a common occurrence in Thrashers history, unless followed by a biting adjective.
The chant was audible again in the second period Friday night when Hossa drove to the net with the puck on a power play and slipped the puck past Pittsburgh goalie Marc-Andre Fleury to give the Thrashers a 4-0 lead.
“It’s nice to hear that,” Hossa said of the chant. “The fans are getting excited. This feels more like home now.”
Few superstars have ever changed employers in more awkward circumstances. Hossa is one of the top 10 players in the game, but his price tag grew out of Ottawa’s reach, circumstances that intersected with Heatley’s stunning trade request. Strange as it may sound, the atmosphere that led to Heatley being booed in Monday’s 8-3 Thrashers’ win over the Senators probably fed to Hossa’s popularity.
Hossa was taken aback when he heard his name Monday, but coach Bob Hartley said, “It meant a lot to him. Obviously, we’re making a push for the playoffs, but so is the city. The fans are starting to believe in us, and they sent a clear message to Hoss. It was his formal welcome to Atlanta.”
Hossa is that rare combination of speed, size, discipline and intelligence. “With the new rules, nobody can catch him,” said Ilya Kovalchuk, who had a hat trick Friday.
Suffice it to say, he also carries himself a little quieter than Kovalchuk, who after his second goal Friday taunted/pointed at Pittsburgh rookie Sidney Crosby in the penalty box. Hossa won’t even point out himself, much less an opponent.
“A coach’s dream,” Hartley said.
He leads the team’s forwards in ice time. Of his 22 goals, 10 have come on the power play and four short-handed (which already doubles the previous franchise record).
Hard to imagine, but there was a transition period after the trade. Hossa said it was, “hard for me because it was a new team, a new system, and the team was struggling.”
Player and team are doing fine now. Hossa has even managed to work in some sightseeing.
“My girlfriend and I see went to see Coca Cola museum and the new aquarium,” he said. “But Atlanta is not like a European city. It’s not like an old city where you go see an old castle or old buildings.”
When told one reason for that is the city was burned down by Sherman in the Civil War, Hossa said: “Really? I didn’t know that? You learn something new every day. Very nice.”
A few more months and he’ll know the faces on Stone Mountain. And maybe somebody will recognize his face.
Permalink | Comments (12) | Categories: Jeff Schultz, Thrashers / NHL
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By jason
January 6, 2006 11:57 PM | Link to this
Hopefully, he doesn’t mean it was nice the city was burned down 140+ years ago. But assuming he doesn’t, the nice thing about Hossa is that he just seems so genuine. You get the feeling that he’s humble and he MEANS that he’s humble, not just putting on an act liek another superstar that left in the off-season.
And as an aside, you know that somewhere, there’s a few NHL marketing reps that are jumping for joy at the possibility of a Kovy/Crosby rivalry.
By Nate
January 7, 2006 01:55 AM | Link to this
Yeah, I don’t think Hossa meant anything by the “nice” comment. I think he just appreciates the city, its history, and was commenting on the city being able to rebuild.
On the Kovy/Crosby rivalry I have to agree. I see nothing wrong with it, especially when Kovy is the guy Crosby slashed both times. You do the crime, you ask for it from a player as flamboyant as Kovy. Kovy’s just one of those guys you love to have on your team, but would hate him if he’s on another. I’m glad he’s a Thrasher.
By UGA 72
January 7, 2006 02:00 AM | Link to this
I suspect he was saying that he was glad to know why there weren’t more hisorical buildings in a city this old and historical.
Atlanta has a real history of producing or aquiring nice guys that can really play the games. From Hank Aaron when he was playing to Marian Hossa (I know quiet a leap in between in sports and players) we have seen more than our share of great players who are also genuine nice human beings. Largely the whole Braves current roster and the Thrashers players too seem to understand that the fans aren’t required to attend their games. If someone could point that out to the Falcon players it would be nice, but unlikely to happen.
By geechee
January 7, 2006 03:01 AM | Link to this
I can’t believe y’all are discussing the deeper meaning of “Very nice”.
By Bob
January 7, 2006 08:47 AM | Link to this
Hossa is a great player. I am very happy he’s on our team now and I wish we could clone him and have 2 or 3 more just like him. He is thriving here now and it’s fun to watch.
Kovy should keep his yap shut and just play hockey. Don’t give the Pens any motivation to get us, let’s just take two more points tonight and get out of town.
By jason
January 7, 2006 10:14 AM | Link to this
It was a joke, but I thought it would be weak to do a winky smiley at the end of it.
I’ll be glad to be done with Pittsburgh for the year though after tonight.
By Jenn
January 7, 2006 10:16 AM | Link to this
I am glad to see Hossa becoming a fan favorite on this team. He is one of the smartest players on the ice today and it is a pleasure to watch him play. Most importantly, he is a class act.
As for Kovy, I was at the game last night. I hate to admit it, but I have a new respect for Ilya after last night. I don’t care what anybody says - Crosby started the whole thing in warm ups - eyeing Ilya across the ice. Then Sid took Slava down early. It was nice to see Ilya stick up for his teammate and get into Sid the Kid’s head. Nothing wrong with Ilya going Hollywood for a night - I love it.
By Ryan
January 7, 2006 12:00 PM | Link to this
Jeff great column! Hossa HAS quietly become a fan favorite. I also feel that Hossa has become a great player. I love watching him on the ice, the skill,his abilities,his unselfishness, and his team spirit and desire to win make him a force in Atlanta. I think “quietly” is what makes great player great. While I’m sure he wishes to help his own stats, he seldom hesitates to help other players in their opportunities. As for the chants, I don’t think there is a player in any sport who doesnt appreciate that. But for Hossa to feel at home with the chants and not mind that people do not recognize him while he is out on the town truly makes me feel that we got the better of the players in the trade. If this team makes the playoffs I think there would be more chanting and recognition in Atlanta. Go Thrashers!
By Ben
January 7, 2006 12:12 PM | Link to this
I thought what 17 did was totally called for. Last night, I saw Sid was a total whiner. The T-birds will Thrash their way into the playoffs!
By Mark
January 7, 2006 02:40 PM | Link to this
As to Ilya and his calling out of Sid the Kid. Not sure how many folks are fans from the ANCIENT days of the NHL, but what Ilya did was pretty tame considering how folks like Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, Phil Esposito or any of the players from earlier days (before the crack down). And Yes, any Marketing person with any sense would play this up as a marquee match-up and push it. NHL needs to showcase its young stars and that they CAN deliver with a high degree of flamboyance and flair. Ovechkin certainly does not just skate back to bench after his goals. NHL needs excitement and Ilya definately equals that.
By ATM
January 7, 2006 11:56 PM | Link to this
Great column. Hossa is the man! I love his quiet dignity. And, though it may sound like a contradiction considering my appreciation of Hossa’s quiet ways, I see nothing wrong with Kovalchuk’s showmanship last night. It’s great to see he has a fire in belly. And, good or bad, it actually got people talking about the Thrashers. Go Hossa! Go Ilya! Go Thrash!
By Brendan
January 8, 2006 12:12 AM | Link to this
Jeff Schultz always has great columns, especially when he covers the Thrashers.
Hossa is a great talent. My only issue with him was his salary, an average of $6 million-a-year, over three years.
But, there’s nothing that can be done about that. The damage may be lessened somewhat next year, depending on how much the cap increases.
So, what’s left to do is simply to cheer him on and hope he continues to shine, especially with the support of the Philips Arena crowd.
As for the Sid/Ilya incident, I don’t have any problem with what Ilya did. But what I want to add is … did you read Crosby’s lips as he skated out of the penalty box?
I taped the game. And have watched it several times now. He appears to face the official and give an opinion of the call. Then Crosby turned towards Ilya and offered his opinion on him.
Plenty of hearing impaired people watch hockey games on TV. If Sid is going to be “the next Gretzky,” this is not how to go about becoming the league’s new “ambassador.”
Don’t think the league didn’t see it, either. The expletives were flying. I understand that Crosby was frustrated. But this is the sort of thing that takes Sid out of the “Lady Byng” trophy voting. It’s the trophy awarded for “gentlemanly conduct.”