HENSICK ENJOYING HIS LIFE ON STANDBY

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Feb 14, 2008 | by FRANK SCHWAB

DENVER - Before Tuesday's game against Anaheim, Colorado Avalanche rookie T.J. Hensick pointed out that he had played 25 games in the NHL and 25 in the minors this season.

If only his season were that tidy. So far this season he has been recalled four times from the Avalanche's minor-league affiliate in Lake Erie. Each time, he hasn't bothered to take his belongings from the apartment he shares with his minor-league teammate in Cleveland. He knows his status with the Avalanche might change at anytime.

His life is so transient that he is prideful when he mentions the hotel room he stays in has a kitchen. He shares a rental car with teammate Cody McLeod and each promotion has included a trip to the mall for a couple of pairs of blue

jeans so he'd have something to wear.

"It has been real crazy," Hensick said. "Getting here is one thing, staying here is another."

On his fourth stint with the Avalanche, Hensick has suddenly taken off. He had one NHL goal in 19 games before his most recent call-up. He has five goals in seven games since, including consecutive two-goal games. He was the first rookie to have back- toback multigoal games for the franchise since 1981-82, when the team was the Quebec Nordiques. He has been given a key role with the power-play unit this time up.

Yet, with Ryan Smyth on the verge of returning from injury and Joe Sakic not far behind, Hensick could be in for another demotion to the minors.

"We hope to have some real tough decisions to make, and we'll visit them," Avalanche coach Joel Quenneville said. "But certainly, he's given us something to think about."

That's progress for Hensick. He is pleased to finally play well for the Avalanche, hoping he has shown the coaches that he is ready to be a full-time NHL player. But even if he is sent down again, he understands that being sent to the minors a fifth time is better than never being in the NHL at all.

"Playing in the best league in the world, it's been exciting," Hensick said.

Still, he admits the past year hasn't always been a dream. Less than a year ago Hensick was playing for the University of Michigan, leading the NCAA in scoring. The transition to the pros is tough for most players, most of whom don't spend their first year on a shuttle from the NHL to the minors.

"It's obviously nerve-wracking coming in the locker room every day not knowing if you'll be here or down in the American (Hockey) League," Hensick said. "But you have to take what they say and take it to heart, go down and work hard. I know if I go down there and work hard, I'll get another chance."

One reason Hensick thinks he has maintained a positive attitude through the ups and downs is that he played for four years in college. He said he thought about turning pro after his junior year but came back to Michigan.

"That extra year was huge for me maturity wise, mentally and physically," Hensick said. "I'm more well-rounded now than I would have been had I come out at a younger age, and that might have a lot to do with the fact that I'm handling the ups and downs better than most."

CONTACT THE WRITER: 476-4891 or frank.schwab@gazette.com. TRANSACTION-WIRE REGULAR

April 12, 2007: Avs sign T.J. Hensick to 3-year deal Oct. 1, 2007: Hensick assigned to Lake Erie of AHL Nov. 29, 2007: Avs recall Hensick Dec. 28, 2007: Hensick assigned to Lake Erie Jan. 2, 2008: Avs recall Hensick Jan. 8, 2008: Hensick assigned to Lake Erie Jan. 18, 2008: Avs recall Hensick Jan 25, 2008: Hensick assigned to Lake Erie Jan. 29, 2008: Avs recall Hensick