There’s nothing like everything coming together at once to create a happy hockey player.
Joey Anderson is having a career year for the Toronto Marlies, supassing his previous best in the American Hockey League.
And he knows why.
“It’s just being able to find some comfort in my game,” the 23-year-old said this week, after practice. “This year as a whole, our team has had a good structure. I’ve had good line-mates throughout the season. It’s just (about) kind of sticking with it.”
The Rosewell, MN native, who captained the Team USA junior team at the worlds, scored his team leading 21st goal Tuesday night against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, and surpassed his 2019-20 total in the AHL for a personal best 35 points.
Anderson is an assistant captain, viewed as a leader on and off the ice due to his past NHL experience having played 57 games across four seasons between the New Jersey Devils and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The forward knows how difficult being a fringe NHL player can be. He leads by example and supports his teammates when they need him.
“I think the biggest thing is just trying to be a good person more than anything,” said the Rosewell, Minn. native. “Having been through it, I know it can be tough. If guys have questions, they ask, and then I think it’s just (about) setting a good example.
“I know, nobody’s ever happy when they get assigned to the American Hockey League. (You have to) come in with a positive attitude and control the things you can control.”
Assistant coach A.J. Maclean had nothing but great things to say about his first line right winger.
“He’s a heart and soul guy,”he said. “He holds his teammates and line-mates accountable to execute and compete hard. He’s just a born leader and he shows it every single time he’s at the rink.”
Marlies are in the final push for a playoff spot and seed position.