#FinalFive Feature: Eick Making a Difference in New Role

When Michigan Tech Huskies senior C.J. Eick first appeared in a game in October, 2012, against Lake Superior State, it quickly became clear that fans were given the opportunity to see one of the fastest skaters ever to dress in the Black and Gold.

Over his first three seasons with the Huskies, Eick's name and playing style would become synonymous with one of the strongest penalty kills in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.

Often paired with current assistant captain Mike Neville, the duo helped the penalty kill get stronger each season until this year.

"All you can really ask to have the chance to contribute and help the team win any way you can every night," said Eick. "It is awesome to see this group and the success we have had."

This season, Eick has been asked by head coach Mel Pearson and his staff to take on a different role along with his traditional penalty killing duties. After three years of playing left wing, Eick was converted to center, a position he actually had played in juniors for the Green Bay Gamblers.

The move was necessitated by an early season injury to sophomore Dylan Steman. Steman, who was supposed to only be out a couple of weeks, ended up out until Dec. 11, forcing the need for the Huskies to find viable option down the middle, and Eick quickly grew into the role.

"I really enjoyed the transition to center," said Eick. "I played center in Green Bay and after a few years off of it, there was definitely a learning curve."

As with any major change, it took awhile for Eick to feel comfortable in his new role down the middle. Part of the problem was that he felt confined, unable to use that trademark speed of his.

"Things are a little different," said Eick. "I have to pick and choose when to use my speed. As a winger, I would just fly across the zone and you are almost that first layer of speed, trying to be the first man on the puck. As a center, you almost have to be a second layer. You have to be supporting the puck. You have to come almost from behind the play and use your speed that way."

He had to relearn his defensive positioning, his new expectations in his own end. As a center, his new role was one of support, rather than attack.

"It took awhile," said Eick. "The first few weeks, I was a little out of position. I was leaving the zone too early and my wingers would tell you it was a tough time playing with me. The support wasn't always the best.

As I got used to it a little more and we we watched tape, I talked to all three coaches about it, being low and supporting underneath and being an option for the defense. I felt like I grew into it pretty well."

While at first he may have felt somewhat confined by the new responsibilities, he soon found that, in reality, his defensive positioning actually opened up a new lane down the middle of the rink, where the diminutive forward could explode up the ice more easily.

Gaining confidence in this realization, Eick has taken advantage of the clear path, and has improved his scoring of late, scoring two of his three goals and five of his 12 assists over the last nine games. He has set a new career high for points with 19 through 36 games this season.

Part of his recent scoring success has come from the wingers he has had the privilege of working with in sophomore Joel L'Esperance and either junior Tyler Heinonen or senior Malcolm Gould. Heinonen is second on the Huskies in scoring with 15 goals and 27 points. L'Esperance and Gould are tied for third with 26 points each.

His play at both ends of the rink caught the attention of Pearson, who has been very happy with Eick's play, deciding to keep him at center, rather than return him to wing when Steman rejoined the team.

"He's played so well there," said Pearson. "He just really found a home there. We could have moved him out of there, but we just felt he was so comfortable and playing so well, and we had the luxury that we had some other guys who could play wing, we didn't need to move him.

He's done a great job and never once said anything about it, like 'Coach, can I move back to wing?' Or anything like that. He's continued to get better on his faceoffs and continued to make better plays from the middle."

Now comfortable with his position and his current linemates, Eick hopes that this weekend will lead to a Broadmoor Trophy and a berth in the NCAA tournament.

Daver Karnosky of the Daily Mining Gazette is featuring key stories for MichiganTechHuskies.com leading into the 2016 WCHA Final Five. Read more stories by the Tech beat writer at MiningGazette.com.