Center Mike Swift no longer in awe as he competes for a job with Devils

Michael Swift admits that he felt a little overwhelmed in his first training camp with the Devils a year ago.

Signed as an undrafted free agent in April of 2008 after excelling as an overage junior with Niagara in 2007-08 (he was named the OHL's overage player of the year), Swift looked around on the ice at Prudential Center last year and realized he was in a whole new world.

"Last year, I was kind of in awe," he told me today. 'All the NHL guys, you watch them on TV and all of the sudden you are on the ice with them."

This year, Swift feels more like he belongs and appears to have a chance to earn a spot to play this season alongside those guys he used to watch on TV. The Devils are in desperate need of centers following Patrik Elias' groin surgery last week, the off-season departure of John Madden and Bobby Holik's retirement.

They have been giving Swift a good look in training camp. During today's intrasquad scrimmage he centered a line with veterans Jay Pandolfo and David Clarkson on his wings.

"It means I'm doing something right out there," Swift said. "I had a pretty good summer as far as working out and trying to develop as a player. I learned a lot from last year. This is a big camp for me and I think I did the things right and it's paying off so far."

Swift, 22, had a decent first-year pro season with Lowell in 2008-09, registering 12 goals and 15 assists in 52 AHL games. He recognized, however, that there were areas in which he needed to improve.

"Going from playing in juniors, you can take a couple of shifts off here and there," said Swift, who had 39 goals and 100 points in 68 games with Niagara in 2007-08. "When you come to play pro, you can't let up for one second because there's a guy on you. There's guys coming up that want to take your spot, too. The AHL is not where I want to be. I want to be in the NHL."

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Shift also learned in camp a year ago that he needed to work on his conditioning to keep up with the NHL players. After attending the team's rookie camp in July, he remained in New Jersey for the rest of the summer to work out.

"I dedicated my summer to doing the things I had to do," he said.

At the time, Swift didn't know the opportunity he would have when camp got underway.

"It was more about getting my body developed the way it should be to play in the National Hockey League," he said. "I just wanted to come in here and have a good camp and then see what happens."

Swift knows his biggest challenge is proving that he can overcome his size to compete against NHL players. He is listed at 5-foot-8, 170 pounds, which, technically, makes him the shortest player in camp. Still, he appears to be an an inch or two taller than defenseman Cory Murphy, who is generously listed at 5-10.

"At least I'm not the shortest guy right now anyway," Swift said.

Swift is used to the questions about his height, though, and he's determined to do what he needs -- even if it means angering his opponents -- to prove the naysayers wrong.

"My whole career it's been like that," he said. "When guys tell you that you can't make it, that's just a bonus when people tell you that because you just work that much harder. I'm a little dirty at times out there. I do play bigger [than his size] and you just have to have more heart than the other guy. If you're battling against a guy who is 6-foot-5, it's whoever comes away with the puck."

The Devils have demonstrated in the past that they are not afraid to give smaller players an opporunity. It paid off with Brian Gionta and Brian Rafalski.

"All the smaller guys who have been here, look at what they have done," Swift said. "They've had great careers here. So, you look at those guys and you're like, 'If they can do it, I can do it.'"

Swift said he has not been told yet if he would play in one of the team's NHL preseason games this week. He impressed in an AHL exhibition against Hartford a week ago by scoring two goals. The next day, he we practicing with the Devils' regulars.

"Since that game, I've been practicing with the NHL guys, so, as I said, I must have done something right," Swift said. "I've just been playing my game. I've worked hard. It's all about work ethic and skating. Last year, I wasn't 100 percent in-shape wise. That's why this year I corrected it and it feels like I can keep up out there now."

He's trying not to think too far ahead, though. What it would feel like to make the opening night roster is something he's yet to ponder.

"I don't even know what I would think, to be honest," he said. "It would just be a dream come true. At the beginning, I would be like, 'Is this really happening?'"  

Comments

[Adam]

I would like to see Swift as our fourth line center over Pelley, but I want Cormier as the third line center.

[Stan Fischler's Beard]

Is this the feel-good, surprise story of camp? Can he actually do it? We'll know this week. He's sure to play in one, if not both, games.

[A Local Fan]

Cormier has shown nothing. What is all the hype about him? I understand he will be a good player in a few years but he isn't ready yet. Swift should be here and Cormier should go back to juniors. IMO.

[Number6]

If he makes it, he'll have to dress up as a Jockey for their Halloween party like Gio did last year :)

[Pearl Jammed]

tough to say anyone has shown anything after one preseason game and a weeks worth of drill and practice..aside from Danis

[A Local Fan]

It's tough to say you want Cormier as our 3rd line center after one game and a weeks worth of drills and practice. Give Cormier some time in juniors and try it again next year.

Swift is fast and gritty for a munchkin. I want to see what he can do in a game situation.

[Pearl Jammed]

I had no idea that practices were open to the public. i will have to check it out

[Mark K]

I have been a big fan of Swift since the Devils signed him. He got off to a quick start when he got his chance with Lowell, then evened off as most first year pros do. But he's a little ball of energy that isn't afraid of anyone, I hope he gets a real shot.

[A Local Fan]

I've seen Swift play on multiple occasions and I know his game will translate to the NHL. If the Devils let Swift play I am promising you guys he will win rookie of the year over guys like Tavares, Hedman, and Duchesne.

[RandomHero]

ALF im pretty sure Gilroy would beat swift for rookie of the year. Come on now.

[Puckster]

I've never seen Swift play. I look forward to giving him a look during one of the preseason games, which I assume he'll be playing.

[rob]

Brian Gionta scored two goals and set up another by Scott Gomez as the Montreal Canadiens used three third-period goals to defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 in pre-season action Monday.

[Zorin]

Saw that, Rob. Thanks for the updates -- now I can go cry a lil more.

[Mhowitzer]

Hey guys, I know you might be sick of hearing this but I have a few more spots open in my Yahoo Fantasy Hockey league. I'm looking for knowledgeable hockey fans who will stay comitted throughout the season. Its head to head style and the draft is scheduled for tuesday Sep 29 at 830PM. Buy in will be $25. Let me know if you are interested or email me at mhowardtm@yahoo.com

[slivedmb]

we dont need to rush to trade for a center, but when camp is over im praying we trade a spair d or two to get a center. depth purposes only. ALF, i hope your right about swift. i havent seen him play, but i would accept much less than rookie of the year from him.
im hpoing gionta has a great season. with gomez he should get back to 30 goals+. hopefully nj handles them though. we seem to have trouble with gomez. im happy hes not on the rags anymore. he was a fav of mine and it was hard to watch him play there. i hate him now though lol. less though, now that he plays in an even "bigger market". we need more players who want to play here anyway.
i really like peters and hope he makes it. i am happy that he wants to be a devil. openly saying that he hopes to get a contract because he chose us over other teams shows the respect actual hockey people have for the devils organanization.

[Darrin Smtih]

Apparently Swift also good on the penalty kill - love to see the Devils give him a shot - Cormier does not seem ready and Pelley looks flat.

[slivedmb]

yeah pelley looked like absolute garbage last game. maybe he was nervous or something so i will wait to bash on him harder. i agree with comrier. i was really hoping this kid could make it but i think thats where i went wrong. he hadnt really done much to warrant it. he looked good though, still a year or two off. thought he took the body well those couple of times he caught up to the play lol.

[Maxwell]

What was Swift's FO% in Lowell? We need to win faceoffs and Zajac is the only one I have faith in.

[nj]

talk about darkhorse- no way in hell did i think cormier would be in the running for a center position over cormier/pelley.... way to go SWIFT.. i remember following his stats an games in the OHL an he was tairing it up..

how do you spell tearing?tairing?taering? haha

[nj]

i ment to so no way did i think Swift would be in the running

[lowelldevilsfan]

Sad state of affairs all around when it comes to the center position.

[NeilS]

I can't find any faceoff stats for the AHL, but in reality it doesn't really matter. Swift could have been 90% on his faceoffs at Lowell, the NHL is another game altogether. As a rookie coming in I wouldn't expect him to be dominant in the faceoff circle until he gets some experience.

[A Local Fan]

Swift is good on faceoffs and in juniors he was a great penalty killer and he was very responsible in the defensive and was an amazing backchecker. I know that was juniors but he will do the same in the NHL. He's like Gionta in the fact that size doesn't matter. This kid is a player.

[Warren]

In the NHL size does matter. It is the VERY rare exception (St. Laurent, Gio) who can mitigate their size and compete.

Can this guy? I have no idea and neither do any of you. It's an 82 game war of attrition. What looks okay in Sept. could look pitiful by January.

I am just brimming with confidence though knowing that we have so many little guys in camp (Swift, Murphy, Greene, etc.)

Do you all really think the talk around the NHL will be, "Ah, It's so tough playing those shrimps from Jersey?"

[nj]

ANDY STRICKlaND-

Look for Chicago to try and trade either Corey Crawford or Finnish goalie Antti Niem once they decide on their roster.

I’m told Cam Janssen broke the orbital of Dallas forward Warren Peters Saturday night.

anyone think one of these goalies could be an upgrade over frazee?? we could use a decent goalie prospect.. besides frazee we have nothing