CrashingTheGoalie

by Ron Spence

Matt Pope was a square peg in round holes.

He left the ECHL with 30 goals and 63 points in just 54 games with the Condors. He had set team rookie marks for points and assists and was named to the ECHL All-Rookie and All-Star Teams.

He hadn’t been drafted, and next went to Binghamton on a 25 game tryout.

In four games with the junior Sens, Pope scored two goals, including one game-winner, and added one assist for three points.

Yet, he was released.

“At first I thought I was going to be in Binghamton for the rest of the year because they had injuries, and a guy was called up and playing in Ottawa that they didn’t expect back,” Pope explained. “However, the NHL player got sent back down to Binghamton and a couple forwards came back from injuries sooner than expected so they didn’t have any room for me on the team. It was a bit of a let down because I was doing well and enjoying it there; the coach told me he would like to keep me but unfortunately it didn’t work that way.”

Fortunately Moose scout Bruce Southern had noticed the kid in Bakersfield and Pope was given a tryout by the Moose.

“[My agent] told me that Vancouver and Manitoba were interested at the time I went to Binghamton, so he informed them I was a free agent again and they picked me up, so I didn’t have to go back to Bakersfield,” Pope said.

“He’d been on our radar,” Scott Arniel said, “and we’re happy to have him. He’s been very good for us and has played a role. He’s got good hands in front of the net and uses his [6'1"] size well.”

“Matt Pope went from the press box to the top line in less than 24 hours.

When Manitoba Moose head coach Scott Arniel went to shake things up after a 2-1 loss to the Syracuse Crunch on March 24, Pope found himself skating with Jason Krog and Jason Jaffray.

The trio found some nice chemistry during the past three games and the move paid immediate dividends as the Moose won all three.”

cont.

Pope said about Krog and Jaffray:

“They are both gifted hockey players. Krog is so good with the puck, it seems like he can never lose it. Jaffray seems to always be doing the right play, being in the right spot, and he’s good at cycling in the corner. They both have great shots and can score goals. They definitely help me out, giving me pointers and telling me where to go in certain situations. It’s nice to be with veterans. It helps me elevate my play to a higher level.”

The rookie made some interesting points about jumping to the top line:

“There is definitely pressure every shift to not make any mistakes. It sums it up best to say that my linemates have proven themselves so they can gamble and make nice plays, while I have to do the simple plays and not do anything risky. It is nice to have pressure, though, because it means I can never take a shift off. It’s motivation to play as hard as I can every shift.”

The situation in Binghampton had gone against Pope.

Other circumstances worked against him in Manitoba:

“It’s hard to sit out games when I’m healthy to play, but it’s the only chance I have right now to play. The league has a rule about the rosters called the clear-day list, and only the players on the list can play unless there are injuries,” Pope explained. “Unfortunately, I didn’t get called up until it was too late to be put on the clear day list.”

This summer Matt Pope will be attending the Canucks’ prospects camp.

He doesn’t have to worry about players returning from injury, or not being on a clear day list.

He just has to play – like Alex Burrows did before him.