Laying down the law in Vancouver; "Jovocop" has rounded out his game, but he'll still pull over offenders and administer his brand of his justice - Interview: Ed Jovanovski - Interview

Hockey Digest, Dec, 2002 by Tom Worgo

DURING HIS FIRST FEW YEARS IN the NHL, Ed Jovanovski appeared to be on the fast track to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

The 6'2", 210-pound Jovanovski, the top overall pick of the 1994 NHL draft, was heralded as the league's next great defensemen. Dubbed "Jovocop," he earned a reputation as one of the league's hardest hitters.

His steady play during his rookie year helped the Florida Panthers to their improbable and remarkable run to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1996.

Then the bottom fell out. Florida started losing and Jovanovski's play suffered. He tried to do too much and his confidence sagged.

The Panthers had enough of his struggles and shipped him off to Vancouver in 1999 as the centerpiece of the six-player, blockbuster deal that brought Pavel Bure to the Panthers.

It would have been difficult to match the fanfare that surrounded him during his first few years in the NHL, but the 26-year-old Jovanovski has re-established himself as one of the league's best defensemen.

Jovanovski won a gold medal in February as a member of the Canadian Olympic team in Salt Lake City and last year he made his second straight All-Star Game.

While Jovanovski first gained attention for his physical play, don't overlook his offensive game, which has flourished in Vancouver. He's averaged 47.5 points over the last two seasons.

Jovanovski recently sat down with HOCKEY DIGEST to talk about his desire to win a Norris Trophy, his development under Vancouver head coach Marc Crawford, the Olympics, and his dramatic rise and fall with the Panthers.

HOCKEY DIGEST: How important is it to you to win the Norris Trophy?

ED JOVANOVSKI: I am so determined to do it. I am going to make a great run at it this year. I am going to work the hardest to get it. I am more confident as a player than I have ever been. I am so determined to do well. I have worked so hard. Being a strong candidate comes with experience. I have been in the league eight season. If the team wins, everybody reaps the benefits. You win and everybody gets recognized.

HD: Your coach, Marc Crawford, has said you are a feared player in the league. Do you like to have that reputation?

EJ: I don't think in terms of physically fighting that I am a feared guy. I still play a physical game and I won't let that disappear from my game. When I play tough and I am going in the corner hard and taking out guys, that's when I am playing my best hockey, when I have an edge. In certain games, I kind of veer away from that. Once I get back to doing it, everything comes that much easier to me. I am more focused on the game.

HD: What type of impact has Crawford had on your career?

EJ: You have to stop and listen to him. He is a winner. I think I realized that. I really like his dedication and commitment to everything around the game. It's the best I have ever seen. He is a very demanding coach. He will let you know if you are not performing. For me and guys like Todd Bertuzzi, we really thrive off of that. You are always under the gun to perform well and that brings out the best in me. I think that is what has helped me tremendously.

HD: Vancouver seems to be a perfect fit for you. Do you feel that way?

EJ: I wouldn't change anything. The team was in a little bit of turmoil and going through management changes when I first got here. Players were coming in and out of here like a revolving door. Things now are going so great. I couldn't have come in at a better time. I put a lot of responsibility on myself, which management and the coaches also did. I accepted that and made the best of that. I am playing 28 minutes a game here. I am playing on the first unit power play and in all key situations. It has worked out great for me and I love the city of Vancouver.

HD: The style of your game has changed. Your offensive has developed in recent years and you are not looking for the highlight-reel hit on every player anymore. What has been the difference?

EJ: That question has been asked a lot. It all comes down to maturity. Playing the game and playing plenty of minutes obviously helps. Defense is a premium position. You have to go out there and play well. I was kind of a loose cannon in Florida. With a couple of big hits in my first year and especially playing in a new market, people expected that out of you all the time. I was in a position where I was going out and looking for it The team was losing and you try to do too much. You try to stir things up. It just didn't work Guys are too good in this league. You do all that stuff and it puts you in a bad position. It backfires on you. It took me a few years to understand that but I have a grasp of that now. You have to go out there and play a simple game and let the puck do the work for you. There's no reason to go out there and look for the big hit. You have to let the play come to you. That's the one thing I have learned. I would rather set up a player or make a good defensive play rather than go out there and look for the big hit. That has helped my game out tremendously.

HD: Vancouver shocked the NHL by taking the first two games in Detroit it its first-round series against the eventual Stanley Cup champions. How do you look back on that now?