Clarkson's Paquet Has Leg to Stand On

The following article appeared in the November 1 issue of The Watertown Times.

By Cap Carey
Watertown Times 

POTSDAM - Early in Tuesday's practice, Clarkson defenseman Adam Bellows skated up to junior Phil Paquet and said something to him that brought immediate laughter.

Paquet, who has missed the first six games of the season with a knee injury, later shared Bellows's joke. You see, he will be in a defensive pairing with Grant Clitsome this weekend, and Clitsome missed the last two periods of last Saturday's game at Lake Superior State with a strained knee.

"He told me that together our pairing has two good legs," Paquet said of Bellows's wisecrack.

A junior from Quebec City, Quebec, Paquet can laugh now about his injury, but he did not enjoy the first eight weeks of the season after sustaining a knee injury during a captain's practice in September.

"It's been the longest eight weeks of my life," Paquet said. "It feels really good, especially coming back in an ECAC weekend. I hope we sweep in my first weekend."

Paquet, a seventh-round pick of the Montreal Canadiens in the 2005 NHL draft, has picked up five goals and nine assists in 74 career games.

But at 6-foot-3, 209 pounds, Paquet is more of a defensive defenseman, and he has been missed so far this season.

"He's a presence for us," Clarkson coach George Roll said. "He was good down the stretch last year, and it's a big hole down there. He brings size, strength and the ability to handle the puck. We're glad to have him back."

Clitsome was removed from Saturday's 5-1 loss early in the second period, but he is also expected to play this weekend.

"It's feeling better," Clitsome said. "It was a play along the boards. My arms were tied up. I tried kicking the puck, and I dug into the ice pretty deep and my knee kind of bent back."

POTTER'S DEBUT

Things didn't go quite as well as he would have hoped, but sophomore goalie Tim Potter made his first career start last Saturday night.

Potter, a native of Bakersfield, Calif., joined the team during the Christmas break last year after freshman Matt Smith left the program.

He played just 6 minutes and 11 seconds in an exhibition game, but played almost half of Clarkson's season-opening exhibition game against Acadia on Oct. 6.

Potter stopped 31 of 36 shots against the Lakers and came away with more confidence in his ability to play at the NCAA Division I level.

"It was exciting," Potter said. "I've been waiting a long time. It was really awesome to get out there and contribute. I always feel like I'm part of the team. To get out there and play was more special.

"Throughout the game I faced some adversity. They got a couple quick (goals) early in the second (period). It was really a test of my mental strength and staying focused and trying to do my best to keep the team in the game and give them a chance to come back."

Potter played the first half of last season for the Oswego Admirals in the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League and had a .900 save percentage and a 3.40 goals-against average in 33 games.

"He's got a great personality, and he's kind of an infectious guy that rubs off on his teammates," Roll said. "He's very positive and has worked extremely hard. It's very similar to what Dave (Leggio) went through his first couple years. He certainly deserved a better fate on Saturday night. I thought he played solid, but we had some breakdowns in front of him."

A FRIDAY PAYDAY

The men's hockey team will be donating another check to Camp Ta Kum Ta before Friday night's game. The Camp Ta Kum Ta fundraising effort began back in 2003 and the Golden Knights have raised more than $14,000 for kids with cancer since its inception.

Clitsome is leading Clarkson's drive this year with assistance from Mike Willemsen and Scott Freeman.

"I went into it last year with Matt Curley and now that Matt's (graduate) I decided to help take over, and I have Mike Willemsen and Scott Freeman helping me, and they're doing a great job," Clitsome said.

IN DEFENSE OF JONES

Former Clarkson defenseman Randy Jones received a two-game NHL suspension this week for a controversial hit on Boston Bruins player Patrice Bergeron.

Jones, who plays for the Philadelphia Flyers, has drawn criticism for the hit, which came from behind Bergeron and knocked him unconscious.

Jones played two seasons at Clarkson and left the program for pro hockey shortly after Roll was hired as head coach in 2003.

"It's certainly not his personality," Roll said. "Randy's not that type of player and unfortunately those things happen. It's not a reflection of the type of person he is. He's a great guy."