Matt Marquardt does some lifting at Commerce Court Weight room. Photo by Chris Dawson. For the past three months, Matt Marquardt has been a man on a mission.
Matt Marquardt does some lifting at Commerce Court Weight room. Photo by Chris Dawson.
For the past three months, Matt Marquardt has been a man on a mission. For the first time in 8 years, the North Bay minor hockey graduate is not quite sure where he'll lace up his skates come training camp next month.
Under the guidance of Matt Blanchard, Marquardt and a class of elite local hockey players have been put through the paces at Canadore's Commerce Court. Blanchard a former understudy of local weightlifting guru Larry Sheppard, has been successful on amalgamating basic training with hockey specific training. With focus being placed upon both speed and explosiveness, Marquardt has seen some impressive gains and improvements each week.
"He wanted to get quicker feet, faster first 3 strides. So we've been doing a lot of sprint workouts. As an example, we did a 40 yard dash and the first time his time was a 5.2, and month or two after he's gone down to a 4.8," remarks Matt Blanchard on the gains by Marquardt this past off-season.
Although the noticeably thinned out former Edmonton Oiler farmhand looks in peak physical condition, he acknowledges the new aged world of professional hockey has had some unfamiliar feelings for him this past off-season. With the introduction of the salary cap in the NHL, Marquardt played off of an entry level contract up until this past off-season. Now that his current deal has expired, and with many NHL teams being hand strung by financial constraints, Marquardt now faces an unfamiliar situation of 'wait and see'.
"The off-season for pro hockey players has changed so drastically the last couple of years, with the introduction of the salary cap," comments Marquardt on the new trends in pro hockey.
"Me being in the first years that the cap was instated into the National Hockey League, right before my entry level deal. It's been an interesting off-season, it's a new feeling for me- it's almost the first time in 8 years can honestly say I don't know where I'm going."
The off-season uncertainties have been tough on the former QMJHL sniper, but this resilient big man still has a hunger and an ultimate goal of skating in his first NHL game. Only entering his 4th professional season, the local product has been keeping a level head, and pushing himself to new heights. The unwillingness to become complacent, and a desire to become better has served this underdog well throughout his young career.
"It's given me more of hunger, its the interesting thing about hockey. I just love the game, I still have the dream," remarks the local hockey product.
"You just have to keep going, keep working hard, it's going to work out. You get out of it, what you put into it."
Since the time this now accomplished local Bayite has tied up pair of skates, he has been plagued by the nay-sayers. The inability to crack a 'AAA' line-up growing up has been well documented around these parts, and for the better part of his playing time, Marquardt has been an underdog of sorts. From Junior to Major Junior, and Major Junior to Professional Hockey, the deck has been stacked against him. But, this late bloomer has never wallowed shadows of others, and has never succumbed to the pressures to perform. This alterable young man has been a local role model for kids of all ages in North Bay for past 6 years, and its his personal make-up that has allowed him to defy the odds others have placed on himself.
Marquardt had no better place to look to for motivation, than his time with the Boston Bruins organization. The Bruins have all-star goaltender Tim Thomas, an individual who's defied odds at all levels of career. Thomas an unorthodox goalie, was said to be nothing short of lucky. Now with two Vezina trophies, a Conn Smythe trophy, and Stanley Cup ring his in trophy case, the nay-sayers are silent. Marquardt uses Thomas' story as motivation to keep pushing forward and trying to become a regular NHL contributor one day.
"You look at a guy like Tim Thomas, best goaltender in the NHL. And he didn't get a chance till he was 30," says Marquardt.
"I'm not one to be denied, I've always been a late bloomer, I've always fed off of people saying and being negative. I take it as a positive."
Nothing has ever come easy to Matt Marquardt, the self-admittant late-bloomer has never done anything by the text book. This young man is an individual who has garnered and earned the title as a local role model. Many things can be said about who he is, and what he does, but none can be more true than- tireless worker. The 2011-12 is on the horizon, and Marquardt has more questions than answers, but with what he has overcome to this point, this season will without question work itself out.
So exactly how does Matt Marquardt the hockey player want to be remembered, twenty years down the line?
"I just want to remembered as a guy who wasn't always first on the radar, wasn't always a guy picked first, or someone who was overlooked. Just someone who put in the effort, and just showing people that it's just not with hockey but in all aspects of life, you get - what you put in."
