Despite sitting last in the National Hockey League with only 25 wins, Elk Point product and Columbus Blue Jackets forward Mark Letestu can see some light at the end of the tunnel.
Playing in the central division among heavyweights St. Louis, Detroit, Nashville and Chicago, the Jackets struggled throughout the year, but have managed a few wins here and there, like last week against the Red Wings.
“Yeah we don't get too many," Letestu joked regarding his team's recent 4 – 2 home win against Detroit. “That team is a lot better on home ice. For some reason on the road they're not the same."
Since being traded to Columbus from Pittsburgh last November and recovering from a broken hand sustained in early January, Letestu has relished the opportunity with Columbus and is now playing on a line with veteran Vinny Prospal and power forward Rick Nash.
“Prospal and I have been playing together for a few months now," he said. “Nash has been with us for the last two or three games. We seem to be contributing one to two goals per game as a line.
“We'd like a few more wins to come with it, but for right now the line is playing well and we're hoping it continues throughout the rest of the year," he added.
Though it was difficult leaving a Stanley Cup contending organization, Letestu said the chance to play with a rebuilding franchise like the Blue Jackets is exciting and in the end more rewarding.
However, playing alongside all stars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin was a thrilling experience he said he would always remember.
“It's nice to look across the room and see the guy that's in the Tim Hortons commercial all the time," he explained. “Just knowing you're in the locker room with those guys and hopefully picking up a thing or two along the way.
“It was neat because when Sid was out with a concussion, I had knee surgery at the same time," he continued. “We got to hang out quite a bit just doing the on-ice rehab stuff together, which was nice."
Spending a couple of seasons with Pittsburgh's American Hockey League affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Letestu was recalled to the NHL in the 2009/10 season where he scored his first goal in a game against Buffalo.
“It was basically the first shift of the game," he recalled. “It was 45 seconds in and it was a two on one. Tyler Kennedy made a saucer pass across Chris Butler and I had an empty net.
“After the puck hit my stick I'm pretty sure I didn't clue in to what happened," he said. “You're so happy you just made an impact in the league and hopefully made a lot of people along the way proud of you. It's a pretty cool moment for anybody to have."
Now getting a fresh start in Columbus, Letestu's role has changed on the ice, which is something that attracted to him playing with the Blue Jackets and remaining positive despite the team's low ranking.
“Anytime you're walking away from somewhere you obviously experienced a certain degree of success it's tough," he said. “I've put it into perspective now that I'm playing a bigger role on a smaller team … I'm getting a chance to become a better player and grow."
“Recently, I've been playing up to 20 minutes a night, which wasn't a possibility with Pittsburgh with the amount of depth it has at centre," he added. “I've been getting the opportunities I need to further myself."
Surprisingly the mood in the Jackets' dressing room is upbeat, he said, and the majority of credit for that goes to interim coach Todd Richards. Columbus fired head coach Scott Arniel in early January when the team was 20 points out of a playoff spot.
“We see the light at the end of the tunnel. It's not going to be bad like this forever," he said. “We'll get drafts and pick a few players up. You can turnaround pretty quickly in this league."
Division rivals the St. Louis Blues are a perfect example of a quick turnaround as the team is now first in the western conference after finishing 11th last season and missing the playoffs. The Florida Panthers are another example and now sit third in the east.
With the playoffs drawing near, Letestu and the Blue Jackets are set on finishing out the regular season strong. Every summer the centre visits Elk Point with his wife and son while also making it north to skate with his former Junior A club, the Bonnyville Pontiacs.
“I always draw back on those times," he said about his three years with the Pontiacs.
“Probably my best friends in hockey were made then. Just being able to play close to home. It's part of my life in hockey that I definitely don't want to see go away."
