CODY
WILD
Providence
So. | D | North Providence, R.I.
A Hockey East all-rookie team selection last season,
Cody Wild scored 21 points from the blue line
for Providence.
Key Statistics: Wild's
six goals were the most by a freshman defenseman in
Hockey East last season and among rookie rearguards,
only Boston College's Brett Motherwell topped his 21
points. Wild earned a spot on the league's all-rookie
team for his efforts.
What He Does: According
to the Friars' second-year head coach, Tim Army, Wild
embodies the quick, aggressive style he wants his team
to play. His most valuable attribute is his hockey sense
– Wild instinctively knows when to take chances
offensively and when to fall back. He also has an uncanny
knack to recognize opportunities as they develop, be
it a passing lane to an open teammate or a gap in defensive
zone coverage which allows him to manuever for an open
shot.
The Bigger Picture:
Army says Wild's game "is helping us redefine our
energy," indicative of his role as the Friars'
catalyst, and he'll be asked to be even more active
offensively this season. Wild will play more minutes
– his summer training regimen was built with more
ice time in mind – but he's also worked to get
stronger. Not only will an increase in strength help
Wild's skating, shooting and passing, but Army also
hopes it'll enable him to win more battles for pucks,
thereby creating more scoring opportunities off the
rush. Still, Wild is a defenseman and though he's adequate
in his own end, Army says he needs to improve on both
positioning and efficient puck pursuit.
Providence head coach Tim Army
on Wild: "You can do things [to] challenge
guys to see the game differently in respect to offensive
situations. But some guys are instinctive ... and see
the ice well. They're able to process information in
a second and make a decision. That's the greatest attribute
Cody brought to our club."
