Player Profile: Marian Gaborik

Marian Gaborik skates without fear for the Minnesota Wild
these days because he has already faced the toughest
shadow he'll ever encounter.

The rookie left winger had his moments of trepidation with
coach Jacques Lemaire early in the season. But Gaborik
survived Lemaire's renowned scrutiny for defensive
commitment while earning the trust of one of the NHL's most
demanding teachers.

In the process, he has adjusted his European game to North American surfaces without
sacrificing a fluid, exciting skating style.

"Marian�s not there yet, but he's improving," Lemaire said of his prized pupil, who turns 19 on
Valentine's Day. "He's getting there. His defense is day and night from where it was in training
camp. I had to sit down with him because he was getting discouraged. He was always found
past the red line and we were wondering what he was doing there. I told him he had to come
back and help the defense and he listened."

Gaborik's new defensive responsibilities haven't hampered his production. He scored his 13th
goal in a 4-2 comeback triumph at Tampa Feb. 6, ripping a deflected slapshot past goaltender
Kevin Weekes from the top of the left faceoff circle.

Gaborik's speed was evident throughout the game for the expansion Wild as he led Minnesota
with four shots in 19 shifts, skating primarily with defensive specialist Aaron Gavey and
converted defenseman Andy Sutton.

From his suite in the Ice Palace, Lightning GM Rick Dudley could only watch and admire the raw skills of Gaborik, thinking about the one who got away.

"We had Gaborik rated No. 1 in the draft last summer, without question," Dudley said. "This kid's just a great talent. We were hoping we'd win the draft lottery. If we had, Gaborik would be skating for the Tampa Bay Lightning today. He has got great speed and a great release. He can score and
he can make a play."

The third player selected in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft registered the inaugural goal in franchise
history, earning No. 3 star honors in a 3-1 loss at Anaheim Oct. 6. The 6-foot-1, 183-pound
Slovakian had arrived and Minnesota coaches believe a star was born that day.

"From opening night to today, there has been a big change in Gaborik," said Wild assistant coach
Mario Tremblay. "He has learned how to play the game a lot better in the defensive end.

"He has got so much skill, you never worry about his offense. This kid is very exciting to watch
and he has already scored some highlight-film goals. He's a great kid, usually the first one on the
ice for practice. He�s not spoiled yet."

After some intimidating moments, Gaborik can look back with fondness at his early clashes with
Lemaire, a stern disciplinarian who stresses defense, above all.

"I wasn't playing well in the beginning and coach told me if I work hard, the goals will come,"
Gaborik said. "I had to adjust because these rinks are smaller and back home there are no red lines.

"Coach has taught me so much about defense. It was tough at first, but I'm glad I've stayed with the team all season because I've gotten better with each game. The travel is good and the food is
all right, but it can't compare to the cooking back home. My folks were with me for a month and
that's when the food got a lot better. Nothing compares with the way my mom can cook up the
chicken and the turkey."

Gaborik's third-period blast against the Lightning extended his point streak to seven straight games and he ranks among NHL rookie leaders in shots, goals and points. Whatever happens the rest of the way, he has proven he can play, and often excel, at this level.

"I figured 20 goals would be good for my first season," he said. "At the start of the year, most people thought we'd win 15 games as a team. Nobody expected we�d play this well and the season�s a long way from over, for us and for me."