'Forgotten' Phantoms Defenseman Making Significant Strides In His Game
ALLENTOWN, PA -- He's not leading the charge offensively, and he hasn't been hyped up by the media since the day he was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the fifth round six years ago. While he might go largely unnoticed on most nights by the common fan, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms coaching staff and his teammates recognize the contributions he's making on the ice.
We're talking, of course, about Phantoms' defenseman Reece Willcox. Now in his third season at the pro-level in the American Hockey League (AHL), Willcox's increased comfort and confidence on the ice has seen him joining the rush and making plays offensively - the things that will more often than not get noticed by the masses.
He plays a largely unglamorous role that stay-at-home defenseman tend to play - killing penalties, blocking shots, being lined up against opposing teams' top scorers - but his new-found confidence this season has him making significant strides in his game outside of the defensive zone.
"I've just tried to make that part of my game," Willcox told Inside AHL Hockey back in January. "In today's game, there's a lot of offense so I have to try to do my part once in awhile, jump up in the play and try to make a play."
The plays Willcox was referring to making was his two-point night back on January 16th in a 3-1 win over Springfield.
"Yeah, that doesn't happen too often for me so it's always nice when it does happen," a smiling Willcox said after that game.
The big-bodied defender continues to develop his offensive game - adapting to the way the game is being played nowadays.
"I think I've always had the ability to play offense," Willcox said. "I think it just comes down to, like you said before, just having the confidence to do it and jump there and be a little more aggressive at times."
Willcox's offensive abilities were on display again Sunday against Hartford, as he joined the rush and drove to the net - picking up a rebound of a Greg Carey shot and putting it home past WolfPack goalie Brandon Halverson to get the Phantoms off and running in what turned out to be a 5-2 win.
"He's not really known for doing things offensively, but he moves the puck well and he makes smart plays," Huffman said of Willcox, adding, "You can't say enough for how much he does in terms of our penalty kill. He's real solid and a big piece as to why that penalty kill is as good as it is. Good to see him get rewarded a little bit."
Captain Colin McDonald also took note of Willcox's play Sunday on his goal, not that his play at the other end of the rink goes unnoticed by McDonald either.
"Yeah, that's a guy that his role is not to score," McDonald said of Willcox after Sunday's win. "You see how many shots he blocks. It's a thankless job. It's one of the toughest jobs to do, that and fighting are 1 and 2 as far as how tough of a job that is. Seeing him join the play and get rewarded, it's hard not to be a little bit more excited for guys like that that score than some of the guys that are supposed to be scoring."
While he's been more engaging offensively, Willcox is well aware of his strengths and how he needs to play to be successful and give his team the best chance to win each night.
"It's huge for my confidence to get two points like that - it doesn't happen very often - but at the same time I know my role on this team. I'm a defensive defenseman and I have to do a good job on the PK and try to make sure the puck stays out of my net."
