By Sam Laskaris /
Though he was the leading scorer on his team last year, Robert Slaney finds himself once again paying his dues this season.
That’s because Slaney is a rookie with the American Hockey League’s Toronto Marlies.
Following his first 30 games with the Marlies, Slaney was still looking for his first AHL goal. But he had been credited with five assists thus far.
The 6-2, 203-pound left winger has proven in the past, however, that he does have plenty of offensive capabilities. Last season, he led the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s Cape Breton Screaming Eagles in scoring, racking up 81 points (36G, 45A) in 63 regular season contests.
“It’s been a bumpy one for sure,” the 21-year-old said of his AHL rookie campaign.
A year ago, Slaney was a go-to guy with the Screaming Eagles. But with the Marlies, the top affiliate of the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs, he has been a fourth-line player, with no specialty team responsibilities.
“I’m just assuming it’s a rookie role and that’s what guys have to do,” he said.
Slaney is actually speaking from a bit of experience. During his first Junior season, 2005/06, he had a minor role with the Screaming Eagles, earning just seven points, including three goals, in 54 games.
Slaney followed that up with a 25-point sophomore season before collecting 55 points with the Cape Breton squad during his third season with the team.
Slaney said he’s rather thrilled the Maple Leafs’ organization signed him as a free agent this past April. He’s a native of Upper Island Cove, N.L., and was glad an NHL franchise in Canada signed him. The fact the Leafs’ farm squad is also in Canada is another plus.
But Slaney admitted he is not happy with the small role he’s had thus far with the Marlies.
“I’m a little bit frustrated because I feel I could play a bit more,” he said.
Besides being a healthy scratch for several contests, Slaney was also demoted briefly. He was sent to the East Coast Hockey League’s Reading Royals from late November to early December, where he appeared in four games.
Slaney is also rather ticked to still be waiting to score his first pro goal.
“I don’t want to talk about it,” Slaney said, adding his teammates frequently give him the gears over not having scored yet. “I’ve had so many chances but just haven’t been able to bury one.”
Besides getting adjusted to on-ice situations, Slaney also has plenty of other off-ice responsibilities. He has been living in Toronto with Marlies’ teammate Christian Hanson.
“My billets when I was a 20-year-old (with the Screaming Eagles) kind of spoiled me,” he said.
“It’s been a change now. I’m doing my own laundry. I’m doing my own cooking. But I can’t say I do much cooking.” Should he eventually make it to the NHL, Slaney would not be the first Newfoundlander with his surname to do so.
John Slaney, who is now playing pro in Germany, has played for seven different NHL teams during his career.
Though their paths have crossed occasionally in their home province, Robert Slaney said he does not know closely he is related to John.
“Our parents are from the same small town (St. Lawrence),” he said. “I’m sure there’s some sort of relation. But I’m not sure what it is.” |