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Posted by: Ryan_Williams on 03/03/2010 09:45 AM
Updated by: Ryan_Williams on 03/03/2010 01:02 PM
Expires: 01/01/2015 12:00 AM

Brotherhood of the travelling hockey bag

J.P. Kascsac gets ready to launch a bullet on net during practice.

From the bottom of the bus, to the bottom of a plane, there aren't many places J.P. Kascsak's hockey bag hasn't been.

By Ryan Williams
theclaw.ca

North Bay is far from home for J.P. Kascsak, a native of Springfield, Virginia, but for him it’s just another stop along the long and winding road that is his hockey career. Kascsak joined the North Bay Trappers Jr. ‘A’ team halfway through this season after being acquired from the San Antonio Diablos.

“I had actually never heard of North Bay ever; I came up here and I felt like I was in Russia because of all the snow,” Kascsak said, laughing.

“In San Antonio I was wearing flip flops and shorts every day, so it was a shock for me when I got up here,” he added about the change in climate.

Kascsak had also previously lived in Montana when he was young, where temperatures were cold enough to require a winter jacket (so he does own one) but he didn’t have everything needed to cope.

“I had to get some winter gear. My dad, who lives in Colorado, had to send some out to me,” Kascsak added, laughing.

San Antonio and Virginia were both too warm to support playing pond hockey, but Kascsak believes that pursuit is something that every hockey player should experience.

“It’s so much fun; it’s different than playing hockey out on the rink, so I love it.”

Kascsak played ‘AAA’ and Jr. ‘B’ during high school, then moved to Boston to play for one year, and then moved to play for San Antonio because he knew the coach. Now, after his trek around the 'States, he is a key part of the North Bay Trappers offence.

“I want to play the best hockey I can, wherever I can,” he explained, adding “I did really well out there (San Antonio), and then North Bay found me, so now I’m here,” he said.

Kascsak has 21 points (14 goals, seven assists) in 23 games with the Trappers, so he has adjusted well with the new team.

“It’s like a whole new season, you have to meet new people and fit in with them.”

Kascsak gives credit to his head coach, Ian Swalucynski, and his teammates for helping him find his stride with the new team.

“Coach Ian put me on a good line; it works out well for me,” Kascsak explained.

Swalucynski assigned Kascsak to a line of players that would set him up to unleash his cannon, something that caught the eye of his new coach.

“He’s got a helluva shot; he has a big-league shot - very quick release.

“He is quiet but works really hard; he wants to learn,” Swalucynski added.

Kascsak explained he focused on his shot a couple years ago and still takes time to work on improving it. He believes having a good shot is crucial if you want to put more pucks in the net.

“Sometimes the other players give you the puck last second, to shoot it in,” he said, adding, “I think it’s one of the better parts of my game.”

HOCKEY IN THE SOUTH

The warm states such as Texas and Virginia don’t really have much of a hockey market because they have to rival the other professional teams.

“Football is huge in Texas,” but there is hope for Virginia. “Hockey is starting to get more popular there (Virginia) because of the Capitals (Washington).”

After being in markets where hockey doesn’t get much publicity, North Bay makes Kascsak something of a public icon.

“It’s cool actually, being up here in a hockey town,” Kascsak said proudly.

Moving around a lot keeps Kascsak out of Springfield, and out of his house - something he has had to experience most of his life. He has three brothers at home but on the road he lives with billet families that help his belly stay full and give him a roof over his head.

“Home-cooked meals are awesome, especially being away from home,” although when pressed to pick his mother's cooking or his billet's, he grinned and picked the safe answer.

“I would have to say my mom,” he said, laughing.

“I have travelled around since I was a little guy, but yeah, I miss my brothers and my family.”