The last time Devon Toews skated at Rogers Arena, he figures he was about seven years old, playing during one of the intermissions. The building was still called GM Place back then.
When he takes the ice on Saturday night, he'll be doing it as an NHL defenseman, skating in front of family and friends in what'll be a special homecoming for the Abbotsford BC native.
"It'll be a lot of fun," Toews said. "Just playing out east for so long, a lot of my family and friends haven't been able to see my play in person. Just the fact that they get to see me as a legitimate figure and not just on TV is pretty cool."
Expect to see a strong Toews contingent on Saturday night. His dad, Werner, has seven brothers and sisters, so a lot of extended family is expected to be in the stands, along with friends, former teammates and coaches from his minor hockey days."
Toews returns to BC on a roll as well, with five assists in his last four games. The rookie defenseman has 11 points (4G, 7A) in 26 games this season and has made himself a key part of the blue line. The Islanders are 18-5-3 with Toews in the lineup.
"Toews has done a really good job," Trotz said. "His biggest asset is his skating ability, he moves the puck very efficiently and his defending skills has gotten better and better and his confidence has really grown. Our record with him in the lineup has been really good. He's a good, young talent that we have on the blue line. I think our blue line is fairly deep."
Mathew Barzal was in Toews' shoes last season, as the Coquitlam, BC, native played his first game in his hometown.
"It's always fun to come back home and obviously last year was the first time so it was pretty special," Barzal said. Seeing people at morning skate come out and lots of local fans, for Ladder as well and Toewsy, it's a cool night for myself. Just having family and friends out is always exciting. At the end of the day, I'm playing a hockey game and playing for the Islanders and trying to get a win."
