Fleck motivates team with intensity, leadership in his 3rd year as captain
Oklahoma City Blazers 2006-07 season opener

Hockey is one of the world's most intense games, and no Blazer plays with more fire on the ice than Tyler Fleck.

It's one reason he is the Blazers' captain for a third straight season.

"Tyler plays with a lot of intensity. That's his biggest attribute," Blazers coach Doug Sauter said. "His puck handling and his shot can be improved, but he works extremely hard. He's the hardest working guy on the team."

Hardest hitter, too. Fleck was voted the Hardest Checker in the Central Hockey League last year.

Fleck, 27, is in his eighth pro season — all with the Blazers. He has played in 363 games, fourth-most in the club history.

Last season, Fleck helped turn rookie Gio Flamminio into one of the best defensemen in the CHL.

Fleck and Flamminio formed the Blazers' top tandem among defensemen. Flamminio's 30 points last year ranked 15th among CHL rookies.

"Tyler's our leader," Flamminio said. "He's behind a lot of the motivation we have, and he's kind of my mentor. He showed me the ropes last year, and I think all of his teammates feel the same way as I do about him, especially the young guys."

Goaltending figures to be the team's biggest strength, with Sean Connors and Sebastien Centomo back.

But the Blazers' most improved area figures to be the group of defensemen.

"Our defensemen are a lot bigger and more mobile," Fleck said. "It's very rare to get bigger and more mobile. You usually sacrifice a little foot speed for size. But this year we haven't done that."

Fleck said fans should expect to see better puck-handling by this year's defensemen.

"We don't have guys that are just going to chip the puck off the boards," Fleck said. "We have guys who can make a pass instead of just ripping it off the boards and chipping it out for no reason at all.

"I think you'll see better outlet passes, too. That should be noticeable."

The Blazers' best puck handler in its defensive corps is veteran Peter Robertson, who was reacquired in the off-season. Next best is rookie Mike Burgoyne, then Flamminio.

"Then it would be a tie between the other defensemen," Sauter said.

Sauter likes his defensemen's size and strength. But guess what he wants more of from that crew?

"With our defensemen, the thing we have to improve on is our intensity," Sauter said. "The rules have changed a lot so that you can't clutch and grab, so your strength has to be used in agility and quickness."

For sure, Fleck isn't on Sauter's list or anyone else's list of players who need to play with more intensity.

"Because of his physical presence and intimidation factor," Flamminio said, "he means the world to our team."