Huron Expositor, 2007-01-17, Page 10Page 10 January 17, 2007 • The Huron Expositor
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Devereaux making most of call up to Toronto
Seaforth native joins the Leafs after 30 games with AHL affiliate Marlies
Jeff 11euehert
Boyd Devereaux acknowledges
that any day he could be sent back
down to the American Hockey
League.
But he's not about to let that get
in his way of proving he deserves a
spot in the NHL, and on the Toronto
Maple Leafs' 27 -man roster.
The 28 -year-old Seaforth native
was called up to the Maple Leafs on
Dec. 28, after starting the 06/07 sea-
son with the Maple Leafs' AHL affil-
iate Toronto Marlies.
In eight games with the. Maple
Leafs (as of Jan. 16), Devereaux has
been a steady contributor on both
the third line and penalty kill unit -
averaging almost a point a game.
In his first game back in the NHL,
Devereaux contributed an assist
against the Pittsburgh Penguins,
before netting his first goal of the
NHL season against the Ottawa
Senators the next night. His next
three assists all came a week later
in a 104-2 romp over the Buffalo
Sabres.
In a phone interview last week
from his temporary residence just
outside of Toronto, Devereaux said
he's had a great time so far in
Toronto - although he's had to
adjust to the relentless Toronto
media, and at times fans, calling it
an "eye-opening experience."
"I've been lucky to play in some
cities where (the fans are) pretty
passionate about hockey," he added..
Drafted by Edmonton in 1996,
Devereaux played three seasons
with the Oilers before joining the
Detroit Red Wings for four seasons,
winning the Stanley Cup in 2002.
Prior to the start of last season, he
signed a one-year contract with the
Phoenix Coyotes.
However, as the beginning of the
06/07 NHL season approached this
past October, the veteran centre
was facing the possibility that for
the first time since joining the
league in 1997, he might not have a
team to suit up for.
Devereaux admitted he was quite
surprised that no new deal materi-
knowing where I was going to end
up. I felt I had a pretty good season
in Phoenix, so I did expect some
more interest (from around the
league)," he said.
"It was a little surprising, but you
just have to stay positive and real-
ize it's not a complete reflection of
your play - there's a business side to
things," he added.
Facing the prospect of not playing
in the NHL this season, Devereaux
considered playing a season in
either the minors or overseas.
However, that was a decision he
would not have to make - as on Oct.
7 -Devereaux was signed to a one-
year contract with Toronto.
"It was pretty exciting. It was kind
of a surprise call, but definitely a
pleasant surprise," he recalled.
And although he wanted to be
playing in the NHL right off the
start, Devereaux said he wasn't
about to make the mistake of letting
his"disappointment negatively affect
his play with the Marlies.
"It was tough, but I knew I would
be down there (in the AHL), so I
thought I might as well work hard
and improve my game. I was hoping
for a call up, but I wasn't banking
on it," he said.
In 30 games with the Marlies,
Devereaux recorded six goals and
eight assists, prior to being called
David Lucas Sunmedia
Seaforth native Boyd Devereaux (number 22) celebrates a Maple Leafs' goal
with linemate Battes Battaglia during a recent game in Toronto. Devereaux was
called up to the Maple Leafs on Dec. 28.
alized with Phoenix after last sea-
son, which subsequently, left him an
unrestricted free agent.
He decided to try out for the Red
Wings - where he'd enjoyed his most
success as a pro - but failed to earn
1
a roster spot, being cut during one
of the last days of training camp.
Devereaux recalled the short peri-
od of uncertainty he faced after
ling cut by Detroit.
"It was difficult at times, not
up.
"I benefitted from my time,'spent
with the Marlies. It got my confi-
dence up to where it needed to be,"
Devereaux said, adding that he also
credits his wife, family and friends
for their continued encouragement
and support.
As for the immediate future,
Devereaux said he can only take
things "Day-by-day, since the reality
is, I could be sent back down."
"It's just part of being a pro. You
have to come to the arena every day
and be prepared to play...and just
enjoy what's going on in the pre-
sent."
For this week's
SCOREBOARD, see Page 18