Ahead Of NHL Debut, Spark Plug Bertuzzi Eager To Energize Wings
By: Will Burchfield
@burchie_kid
Roommates Tyler Bertuzzi and Dan Renouf were watching a movie on Sunday night when Bertuzzi's phone rang.
On the other end of the line was Todd Nelson, coach of the Grand Rapids Griffins.
"You got called up," Nelson told Bertuzzi. "Pack your bag. You're driving there tonight."
The next morning, Monday morning, Bertuzzi was in the Detroit Red Wings' locker room, shifting his gear out of a weathered, black Griffins bag into a brand new red one. Like a stamp of approval on his first NHL call-up, the bag was adorned with Bertuzzi's new number: 59.
The 21-year-old forward will make his NHL debut on Tuesday night versus the Philadelphia Flyers. He was Detroit's second-round draft pick in 2013.
"It's obviously exciting," Bertuzzi said after his first practice with the Wings. "It's the first call-up for me and it's a dream come true. I'm excited to be here and I'm excited to show them what I got. I'm looking forward to it."
Bertuzzi is a high-energy player with a penchant for scoring dirty goals. His inclination to shoot the puck and his willingness to drive the net are the two main reasons he finds himself in Detroit. The Wings have struggled in these areas of late and are looking to Bertuzzi for a spark.
"When he's playing really well – and he's done this for me, he's done it for Nelly (Todd Nelson) – he's a guy who finds a way to greasy-type goals," said coach Jeff Blashill. "Sometimes it doesn't look pretty, but he's got that in him. We need more of that and we're hoping he can bring that tomorrow night."
Bertuzzi is the nephew of former Red Wings power forward Todd Bertuzzi. Like his uncle, he embraces the physical aspect of hockey and has a knack for getting under the opposition's skin. Along with his 12 goals and 30 points for the Griffins last year, Bertuzzi racked up 133 penalty minutes, by far the most on the team.
If he lacks high-end talent, he makes up for it with endless drive.
"I just want to bring energy," Bertuzzi said. "Play my game, keep doing what I do and just bring energy. Block shots, play good defensively and just take my chances when I get them."
Bertuzzi was cut from the Wings' roster last month, a week before opening night. But an injury to Thomas Vanek opened the door for the rookie's return and Bertuzzi – in typical fashion – stormed right through.
He admitted on Monday that he's made his way back sooner than he expected.
"But I was excited to get the call. I'm going to make the most I can out of this opportunity and just try and do my best," Bertuzzi said.
Though Bertuzzi has yet to play in a regular season game with the Wings, he has logged a lot of ice time during the preseason in each of the past two years. He'll lean on that experience when he takes the ice on Tuesday night.
"It just helps with confidence. I know what it's sort of like to play in an NHL environment. I know the (regular) season's a lot harder, and I'm ready to bring that," he said.
It's fitting that Bertuzzi will make his debut in a city where the Wings haven't won in three centuries (technically, 19 years) against a team known formerly as the Broad Street Bullies. He has the moxie to skate headlong into such adversity.
His parents and his younger brother will be in attendance. And his uncle, with whom the younger Bertuzzi lived last summer, will surely be watching on TV.
The former Wing called the newest Wing during the latter's drive to Detroit.
"He said 'Congrats' and just make it worth your while," Bertuzzi recalled. "Have fun and enjoy it."
