Sharks GM  Looks to Past to Power Future

Ottawa native Doug Wilson draws inspiration from his hockey heroes, and experience

By ERIC FRANCIS

April 12, 2007

OTTAWA SUN

Hanging with pride in Doug Wilson's office at HP Pavilion are two jerseys that serve as important reminders to him and his San Jose Sharks.

One is the last Oshawa Generals junior jersey worn by Bobby Orr, a man Wilson grew up idolizing and eventually playing alongside with the Chicago Blackhawks.

The second is a sweater the Ottawa native wore in peewee, when a lineup filled with four future NHLers, including Bobby Smith, went undefeated.

The first reminds the Sharks GM of the fulfillment of a childhood dream, the second of the importance of playing the way kids do: By having fun and playing with their hearts.

"It's about remembering why we play the game," said Wilson.

It's that thought, passed down throughout the organization, which explains why the team Calgary faces at the 'Dome in Game 3 tomorrow night owns the league's best road record.

"Ron Wilson has said from Day 1, it's got to be fun," said former Hockey Night in Canada colour man Drew Remenda, a former Sharks coach who returned this year to be one of the team's host broadcasters.

"When they're on the road, they don't make reservations for two -- it's always for 16. When guys get home they separate, but on the road there's real unity. They're always together and that's one of the reasons they turned the season around."

Sounds a lot like the Flames of 2004 -- a young hungry group that spent all its free time together and nabbed 10 of their 15 wins that spring outside Alberta.

Remenda says that unity translated into a 27-10-4 road record, which is a big reason why most experts have pegged the Sharks as Stanley Cup favourites. It has given the club a confidence few opponents have had an answer to.

"Losing home-ice advantage when you're the best road team isn't as bad as you think," said cocksure coach Ron Wilson after tying the best-of-seven series 1-1 Thursday.

The Flames split their regular-season meetings with San Jose at the 'Dome 1-1 and are 2-5 at home in previous playoff encounters with the Sharks in '04 and 1995.

Although the Flames have played well at home most of the season (21-11-9) and will be buoyed by one of the loudest and most colourful playoff crowds in hockey, they know they'll have to be even better than they've been to maintain the advantage they earned with a Game 1 win.

"The biggest thing about this team is they've simplified things on the road," said Remenda, whose club wasn't quite as good at their home base, going 22-13-6 at the Shark Tank.

"Jeremy Roenick might have said it best when he was asked why they played so well on the road. He said: 'Because we play crappy at home.' "

Remenda also credits the leadership of Joe Thornton for creating a culture in San Jose that allows everyone to feel welcome. There are no cliques in his room.

"That's one of the great things about Joe. It doesn't matter if you're a fourth-line mucker, a rookie or the leading scorer -- you're in," said Remenda.

"He includes everyone. On this team, the young guys have some juice and the vets are comfortable in who they are. They're always laughing and enjoying the game."

In short, what the Sharks aim to do tomorrow and Tuesday is play the same sort of game Calgary did in the opening two games, sans the penalties.

And remember the instructions from their GM: Play with your heart and have fun.