Feature: Offseason Work Key Factor for Marks

By Cap Carey
Times Sportswriter

POTSDAM - Two months after the Clarkson University men's hockey season ended, Brownville native Tim Marks found himself in a rink in Syracuse getting ready to go for a skate with former Golden Knight standout Chris Clark.

Clark, the captain of the NHL's Washington Capitals, also hadn't skated in several weeks, and according to Marks, their workout was memorable.

"I'm glad no one was watching, that's all I've got to say," Marks said, with his ever-present grin.

The two have more in common than one embarrassing skating experience. A 6-foot-3, 217-pound bruising forward, Marks reminds many of Clark, who is 6-0, 202.

"Timmy's probably a better skater than Chris was at that stage," said Clarkson coach George Roll, who was an assistant when Clark played for the Golden Knights. "Both of them play with a lot of tenacity and are tough guys to play against."

Marks, a Clarkson sophomore, had a breakout weekend against Harvard and Dartmouth, scoring four goals, including his first career hat trick against the Big Green on Saturday. He earned the ECAC Hockey Player of the Week award for his effort.

On a line with NHL draft choice Steve Zalewski and talented forward Matt Beca, Marks is beginning to blossom as a college player. He leads Clarkson in goals, with five, and is one of five players leading the team with six points.

"He's working hard out there and he's got a big body and he's getting in corners and winning battles," Zalewski said. "That's what we're trying to do out there."

Said Beca, "That's what he's out there for, to be a physical guy down low and control the puck and I think he's doing a good job of that so far. He's chipping in with goals and stuff, too. He is playing well."

Marks actually was given the role of former Clarkson standout Shawn Weller, who played on Zalewski and Beca's line last year and led the team in scoring before signing with the Ottawa Senators after the season.

"They are pretty similar players," Beca said of Marks and Weller. "They like to get the puck in deep and go bang and crash."

Marks's first year in Potsdam was nothing memorable. He finished with one goal and five assists - the same amount of points he has already this season - in 37 games.

But he spent the summer working hard and came to training camp having lost several pounds. Along with Clark, Marks spent the summer also working out with Potsdam native Craig Conroy, a former Golden Knight who now plays for the Calgary Flames.

"Just skating with NHLers like Craig and Clarky helps you," Marks said. "You kind of see what they do. It's like a peek into their lives and something to strive for. You just kind of follow what they do, just tag along. I look up to those guys."

While his goal scoring has increased dramatically, Marks has not let up on what he was most known for last year - bone-crushing hits.

"I'm pretty confident in myself," Marks said. "I didn't have the best year of my life last year and I'm sure the coaches would say the same thing and all the players in the room. Over the summer I came out with a mission and my mission was to do the best I can, whether it's going to the next level or to help my team here."

Marks produced 23 goals and 19 assists in his final year of junior hockey with the Brockville (Ontario) Braves, and his hard work over the summer led to his earning a spot on one of Clarkson's top forward lines.

"He's gotten himself in great shape," Roll said. "He lost a lot of weight and really worked on his conditioning over the summer. His skating, it's night and day from where it was last year. I give him a lot of credit for getting himself going. He's earned that spot to play with (Zalewski and Beca)."