Security has never been a part of Jeff Hackett’s vocabulary.
But perseverance has.
Last week, Hackett was rewarded by the Blackhawks with a three-year contract–and the No. 1 goaltender job.
When the Hawks dealt Ed Belfour to the San Jose Sharks on Saturday, Hackett became a No. 1 goalie on an established team for the first time since he was in the minors. Rather than embracing it with brash confidence, like most goaltenders, Hackett entered his new world with extreme caution.
“It’s something I’m going to have to grow into,” Hackett said after his 36-save performance Monday led the Hawks to a 2-1 victory over the New York Rangers. “You can’t just turn a switch on and here it is. It’s something I’ve worked on my whole career, especially the last couple years, developing some kind of consistency and confidence into my game. It’s gonna be tough.
“It’s really been since the minors where I’ve had a good hockey club and had some success and playing every night. I hope everyone can be a little patient, and if the guys keep playing hard, it makes it easier for me.”
It hasn’t been an easy climb for Hackett.
After an outstanding junior career, he played in 13 games for the New York Islanders in 1988-89. The following season, he led the Islanders’ farm club in Springfield, Mass., to the Calder Cup in the American Hockey League and was named the MVP in the playoffs.
The London, Ont., native was an undistinguished 5-18-1 the next year for New York, but caught the eye of Hawks General Manager Bob Pulford when he faced 52 shots on goal and beat Chicago.
“You don’t forget things like that,” said Pulford.
Before Pulford could bring Hackett to the Hawks, however, the young goaltender had to endure a forgettable season in San Jose.
His first year there, which also was the Sharks’ first in the NHL, was “really fun. We got thrown together and it was exciting. We were very competitive.”
Hackett went 11-27-1 that season, stopping what’s still a San Jose record 57 shots in one game, but the following season took his energy away–literally.
He tried to play through a bout of mononucleosis, and got hammered, finishing 2-30-1 with a 5.28 goals-against average.
“It was just a nightmare,” said Hackett. “I was the second-highest paid player on the team and felt pressure to go out there and play even though I wasn’t ready.
“It took a good two years to get over (the illness).”
Luckily for Hackett, Pulford still hadn’t forgotten that night at the Stadium. On July 13, 1993, Pulford traded Jimmy Waite and a 1994 draft choice for Hackett and Neil Wilkinson.
Hackett struggled for two years, going 3-15-5, but hit his stride last season, posting four shutouts while going 18-11-4 with a 2.40 goals-against average.
This season, he’s 7-10-1 with a 2.21 GAA and .925 save percentage, tied for second with Colorado’s Patrick Roy behind Pittsburgh’s Patrick Lalime’s .934. Coach Craig Hartsburg and Pulford have no problem putting their faith in Hackett.
“Everybody has to be given that No. 1 opportunity at some point,” said Hartsburg. “I’m sure a lot of people questioned Ed Belfour when he was given the No. 1 job too. Hack, from what I’ve seen over the last year and a half, is capable of winning games by himself, and that’s the sign of a No. 1 goaltender.”
He almost single-handedly beat the Rangers on Monday, making a half-dozen acrobatic saves. It capped a whirlwind weekend in which he got the security he never had–in the form of a three-year, nearly $3 million contract–and the No. 1 role he hasn’t had in quite a while.
“He’s the hardest worker on the team,” said Tony Amonte. “It’s nice to see his work paying off and it’s nice to see Craig put his trust in him.
“When Hack’s confident, he’s going to come up with big saves like that (on Monday). He can be a gamebreaker for us.”
Just being a consistent NHL goalie will do for now.
“Personally, I really needed a result, needed to feel the bottom line with a win (Monday),” said Hackett, who had lost his previous four decisions by scores of 2-0, 4-3 in OT, 2-1 in OT and 3-2. “It’s been a difficult week with everything that’s happened. In the back of your mind, everybody’s questioning themselves, it’s been tough.”
Is there relief that you’re the man now? Relief that Belfour, who called you nothing more than a backup in December, is gone?
“No,” said Hackett. “There’s arguments and confrontations and things that happen every day with a hockey club, but when one leaks out . . . all I can say is it got really blown out of proportion and the reason Eddie got dealt was a business decision. It had nothing to do with what happened between us. I hope everything works out for Eddie because I still consider him a friend.
“It was a situation where it might have put the franchise in a whole disarray if we lost Eddie Belfour (an unrestricted free agent), who has been a star in this league since he’s been in it, for nothing.”
As for becoming a star in the league, as well, at the age of 28, Hackett isn’t putting “a whole lot of pressure or expectations (on himself) because we have another good goalie here, Chris Terreri, who can play also.
“It’s been a slow, growing process the last two years. And still it might be a while. I’m just going to work as hard as I can every night and take it from there.
“My family is very grateful to the Chicago Blackhawks for all they’ve done for me. They’ve made my financial future very bright.
“Hopefully I can grow into the next level of goaltending.”
SHANTZ IMPROVES, AND COACHES NOTICE
His numbers aren’t overwhelming, but center Jeff Shantz is starting to prove the Blackhawks didn’t make a terrible move taking him in the second round of the 1992 entry draft.
He has been one of the Hawks’ most consistent performers in the last month, and coach Craig Hartsburg recognized his effort recently by putting Shantz on the power play. Before, he anchored the fourth line and killed penalties.
“With the team going through what it is, I’m just trying to step up and do as much as I can,” said Shantz. “I want to prove to myself and management I can contribute. I want to be with the Blackhawks as long as I can.”
If he keeps hustling and making plays like he has been, he’ll be around a while. After getting off to a poor start in his fourth season–one goal and two assists in his first 28 games–Shantz has two goals and eight assists in the last 21.
“Whether it was confidence, I don’t know. I wasn’t playing as well as I could play (earlier),” he said. “My defensive game was there. I wanted to prove I wasn’t an offensive liability.
“The extra ice time (on power play) is a chance to be offensive. It’s a big confidence boost, the coaches saying to me my hard work is paying off.”
“We always knew he could skate and handle the puck,” said Hartsburg. “A lot of things he’s done, he’s done on his own. He’s getting his nose dirty. Some players do it right away. Some take two, three, four years to become a good player. Everything seems to come together at the same time.”
