Brampton, Ontario, is one of Canada’s fastest-growing cities, with a population nearing half a million people. It is known as “the Flowertown of Canada” because of the city’s large greenhouse industry, with rose gardens sprinkled throughout.
But to Wojtek Wolski last October, Brampton was the least-desirable city on the planet. After nine games in the big time with the Avalanche, Wolski received the news: He was being sent back to Brampton of the Ontario Hockey League. No more big-dollar salary. No more charter airplanes and fancy hotels. No more playing in the best hockey league in the world.
“I was crushed,” Wolski said. “It wasn’t something I wanted. I wanted to stay. I had to swallow my pride.”
But Wolski is back living the dream, and there is little chance he’ll be calling any place but Denver his home for the next year. His performance after the first three games of the season certainly hasn’t hurt his chances. Entering Monday, the 6-foot-3, 200-pound left winger was tied for the NHL rookie goal-scoring lead with two, has been getting a regular shift on the Avs’ second line and has seen time on the power play.
“I’m just trying to keep things going, trying to be consistent,” said Wolski, who is earning $984,200 this season. “I think if you give it everything you have, things will work out.”
If not for hitting the crossbar at Minnesota on Thursday night, Wolski would have a goal in each game. Avalanche coach Joel Quenneville has been impressed with Wolski’s overall game.
“I like ‘Woolly’ not only with the puck, I think without the puck he’s been really aware of what he has to do,” Quenneville said.
Wolski knows he needs to improve. He is a minus-2, both his goals coming on the power play. More responsible defensive play and more scoring at even strength will be season-long goals.
After last year’s early-season demotion, Wolski hasn’t forgotten the sting of that day. He blames himself.
“If I’d given them enough of a reason to keep me, then I would have been there,” he said. “I must not have given them enough of a reason to have me stay. I had to go back to the drawing board.”
Wolski scored 128 points (47 goals) in 56 games for the Brampton Battalion, including 55 points in his final 18 games. When the Avs play at Toronto next week, there is a chance he’ll stop in nearby Brampton to check up on his old teammates.
On Monday – which was the Canadian Thanksgiving holiday – Wolski was just thankful he would be allowed to leave Brampton when his visit was over.
“I’m definitely glad to be here and not there,” Wolski said, grinning.
Adrian Dater can be reached at 303-954-1360 or adater@denverpost.com.
