Giants big on defenceman deSousa
Don Fennell, Sports Editor
Andrew deSousa is happy to be home. The Vancouver Giants are happy too, since it also means the big defenceman will be patrolling their blueline during the upcoming Western Hockey League season.
The second overall pick in the 1998 WHL Bantam Draft by the Tri-Cities Americans, the 18-year-old Richmondite is expected to get quality ice time with the expansion Giants who open their season Friday against the Kamloops Blazers at the Pacific Coliseum. Face off is 7 p.m.
“It’s very exciting,” deSousa says. “This is a high-class organization and the management and players have been great. My first two seasons (with the Americans) were kind of disappointing but I’m looking forward to turning things around with a fresh start.”
deSousa fell out of favour with the Americans last season, but Giants’ general manager Scott Bonner says he was elated to be able to land the young prospect in an off-season trade.
“He had the pressure of the world on him in Tri-Cities because they wanted him to be (San Jose’s) Brad Stuart and so on,” Bonner says. “Milan (Giants’ head coach Dragicevic) had coached him early last season before the transfer and Andrew played real well for him. I think he can thrive under the type of environment Milan has created and it could be a real breakout season for him.”
At 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, deSousa has the size pro scouts look for. He also skates well for a big player but to take the next step must play a simple game.
“He’s got to realize if wants to be a pro hockey player he’s going to be a defensive defenceman,” Bonner suggests. “A lot of kids try to play out of their element because of the pressure of the bantam draft. A steady defenceman is as hard to find as a goal
scorer.”
As a top-four defenceman with the Giants, deSousa is expected to play 20 to 25 minutes a game. While he’d like to contribute a little more offensively, he says his priority is being consistent and staying mentally strong.
deSousa credits his parents for helping him stay positive, and says the coaching staff (particularly Ken Priestlay and Mark Ferner) have also been a source of support. A long-serving pro defenceman, Ferner was the best open-ice hitter during his WHL career and can offer deSousa much advice.
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