Chris Drury is looking to add a 2006 gold medal to the silver medal he won with Team USA at the 2002 Winter Games.

Experience makes the
difference for Drury
By Randy Schultz | NHL.com correspondent
Feb. 15, 2006

Leadership skills come naturally for Chris Drury say his teammates.

"Chris is a guy who doesn't go out of his way to be a leader. He is a leader. You might say he was born to be a leader."

Those were the comments of Buffalo Sabres' defenseman Jay McKee regarding teammate Chris Drury.

Drury is taking those leadership skills with him to Turin as a member of Team USA. And this won't be Drury's first time as a member of a team that has the spotlight on it. This will be Drury's second time around with the Olympics, the first coming four years ago in Salt Lake City.

The Sabres' center was also a member of winning team in the Little League World Series which was also watched by a great deal of the world. But Drury is going to try to be a little more observing this time around in Turin.

"It's always an honor to be chosen by your country to represent it in an event like the Olympics," said the 29-year-old Drury. "For me, this will be my second time around. I think I have a better idea of what to expect this time around. The first time we came together as a team in such a short period of time. And before we knew it, the Olympics were over. Everything happened so fast.

"I think this time it will be a little different for me. I think I'll know what to expect and will handle the situation a little different than the last time. I've never been to Italy before. That will be something new for me. I think we'll have a pretty good team to go over there with as well."

Drury, along with Daniel Briere, were named co-captains of the Buffalo Sabres for the 2005-06 NHL season.

"Danny and Chris were chosen for what they mean to the team, on and off the ice," said Ruff, who made the appointment and is a former captain of the Sabres himself. "Both guys show tremendous leadership and determination that will help lead our club. I've seen their leadership qualities grow since both joined the team. They are both the type of players that the rest of the team will follow."

Ruff pointed out what Drury will add to Team USA.

"He will add a scoring touch for his team," Ruff said. "And he's great on faceoffs, if they want to use him there. He can kill penalties. He does it all.

"Probably one of the most important things I would see Team USA using Chris for is late-game situations, especially with faceoffs. Plus, he's got that scoring touch that would allow him to score that last-minute goal, if it is needed."

But it's his leadership role that may play an important part of Team USA's success.

McKee was not surprised that Drury was considered in the role as captain.

"After being away from the game for a year and a half, this guy has matured," added the veteran blue liner. "It should come with age. He seems to be comfortable here and have spent some time here in Buffalo. Chris knows where he fits in and where he stands with the organization.

"Chris is taking charge of that leadership role and being a bit more outspoken. That's what we need from a captain or co-captain on this team."

Brian Campbell is another teammate who sees Drury as a very positive influence on the Sabres.

"With Chris, he brings a lot of experience, despite his young age. He's already played on a Cup winning team (Colorado Avalanche), has a lot of playoff experience, and has been around some great veteran players. He takes care of the players in the Sabres dressing room. He makes sure that we're taken care of and that we follow rules that have been laid down for us.

"Chris is a very hard working individual. He brings a lot to this team. He's not afraid to speak his mind. If he has something to say, he's going to say it. I wouldn't call it being outspoken either."

Drury agrees with Campbell's comments.

"I know that I have to produce this year," said Drury of this NHL season. "I didn't think I had that great of a year with Buffalo my first year. I know that I was distracted with the eventual birth of my first child. It was tough being totally focused on hockey."

Drury has been a big part of Buffalo's success in 2005-06.

Despite that, Drury managed to score 18 goals and 53 points. He was a plus-eight. But Drury knows that Ruff expects more out of him including being a first-line center, a checker and penalty-killer. That is a large step up from the role he played with the Avalanche, where he was a third-line center.

"I think I'm a different player than I was when hockey ended a year and a-half ago," said the 29-year-old Drury, a native of Trumbull, Conn. "My wife gave birth to our second child in May. I think being a father has given me a different outlook on life. Call it maturing or what ever you want. I think I'm ready to take on more of a leadership role on this team this season."

What about the same type of role on Team USA?

"I think coaches are looking at the next generation of players coming up with Team USA and seeing who is going to step forward," Drury said. "I think I'm up for that challenge. If it means being a leader on the team, that's what I'll do. I'll do whatever is necessary for the team to be successful, no matter if it mean's playing on the first line or a fourth line."

Maybe Marty Biron, a goaltender with the Sabres, summed up the situation with Drury as a co-captain.

"He is typical of the type of team were putting together here in Buffalo," Jochen Hecht. "He is hard working and gives everything he has on the ice. Chris is respected both on and off the ice by teammates. It's going to be up to the rest of us to follow his lead.

"He can have the same kind of effect on Team USA in the Olympics. He's not the same player that he was when he went to the Olympics four years ago. He has matured a great deal since that time. He has been part of a hockey team that won a Stanley Cup in the NHL.

"He has been part of another team that won a silver medal in the Olympics. That kind of experience can't be bought. Chris will be a valuable part of Team USA's success."