Canucks' Dorsett epitome of determination Many a hockey path has been carved out through hard work, perseverance and beating some odds. That statement rings true when describing Derek Dorsett, a Columbus Blue Jackets seventh-round draft pick in 2006, but his story is one that goes much deeper than a small man playing big.

Many a hockey path has been carved out through hard work, perseverance and beating some odds. That statement rings true when describing Derek Dorsett, a Columbus Blue Jackets seventh-round draft pick in 2006, but his story is one that goes much deeper than a small man playing big.

The teenager from Kindersley, Saskatchewan wanted to play hockey - Triple A hockey. If fact, he wanted to play 'AAA' so badly that he tried out for every team available. It was not easy to take no for an answer and he wasn't about to, but the door did not open swiftly into what many consider the stepping stone required to be recognized for the CHL or the NCAA and, eventually, the NHL.

“I'd be lying to ya if I didn't say that there was a time where I was done....I'd had enough," Dorsett said. "I travelled to eight or nine midget 'AAA' teams (there were only 12 teams in that league) and then I went back to the SJ (Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League) camp...there were two midget AAA camps after it.”

Dorsett would not make the SJHL team, either, but not due to lack of hard work. Rather, injury this time would add to the insult.

“I broke my hand in the SJHL camp, but I didn't tell anyone and my hand was puffed up pretty big," Dorsett explained. "I went to North Battleford (AAA) and I thought I'd have a chance to make it, so I didn't say anything, but I ended up getting cut. Then, I had a cast on for 6 weeks after that.”

Many a player, never mind many a young man, would have folded tent and packed it in. Even though his true stripes were that of a tiger (bulldog might be a better description, but I have yet to meet a striped one) he still relied on something other than inner fire - his family.

“My dad kept me going through that year and that's one of the best things that ever happened to me," said Doresett.

Dorsett deserved a chance, but would one arrive? After all of those training camps, many rosters were set and the “outside looking in” line certainly applied to an undersized forward with a broken hand. Unwavering was his determination and the second break would be a good one. His chance would arrive.

“I wanted to play so bad," Dorsett said. "Obviously, I was in a lot of pain, but I didn't want to tell anyone because I thought it would ruin my chances. I tried out for almost every AAA team in Saskatchewan and I was cut by every one and then Swift Current [Legionnaires] took a chance on me. They thought I'd probably be a third or fourth liner, maybe a guy that didn't play every night. I ended up coming out of the gates pretty hot and carried it through the season.”

This would be a huge turning point in the development of young Dorsett. Not only did he improve strength-wise, along with his overall game, but people finally took notice that the traits that made him stand out could prove to be quite valuable on their hockey team.

Interest developed from Junior A teams in the area and stretched as far as BC. In perhaps a twist of fate, the opportunity that put him firmly on the map arrived in his own backyard: Kindersley.

The local Klippers added him to their roster for the post-season drive. Dorsett would get into playoff games and ended up as part of a crew that would go all the way to the Royal Bank Cup Finals in Grand Prairie.

“During that tournament I was listed by Red Deer (WHL) and was also drafted by the Green Bay Gamblers (USHL), so I had a few options that I could take,” said Dorsett.

Options. Go figure. Options for a player who had zero when trying to crack provincial AAA at the start of the year. Yet, it was not an automatic or a jump at first interest for a prairie boy with dreams of playing in the WHL. Instead, we learn another side of Dorsett – the calculated side.

“I went to training camp in Red Deer," he explained. "I didn't want to burn my [NCAA eligibility] by playing just one exhibition game, so when they wouldn't sign me to anything before an exhibition game, I decided to go back to Kindersley.”

The decision likely shocked many. An opportunity to play in the “Dub” evades many great players across Western Canada, never mind a largely unappreciated and oft-overlooked Dorsett. Although others may have pondered how he could turn it down, Dorsett did what he felt was right and hit the highway back home to rejoin the Klippers.

Cue Willie Desjardins and the Medicine Hat Tigers.

“I think it was Mike Moore and Bob Green, they kind of found me," Dorsett remembered. "I think it was about 20-25 games [into the Kindersley season], if I remember right, that Medicine Hat came and listed me. Two days later they picked me up on the bus headed East to Saskatoon and the rest is history! Willie gave me a good chance.”

First impressions are often lasting and this one is too good to pass up. As it turns out, the lasting impression is the story around those first moments as a Tiger, stepping on the bus and how Dorsett would prove again he is far more than what many bargain for.

“I think Willie was a little surprised when I got on the bus...they told him he was getting this power forward - a guy that has 189 PIM in 25 games in the SJ and 20 points - a guy that is relentless," he said. "Then I walked onto the bus and I think I weighed 170 pounds..”

The story goes that Desjardins was bringing his players up to speed as to who they were picking up and, when Dorsett walked on the bus, someone leaned over and said, "Coach, I think we got his little brother!”

“I think he was a little shocked at the start," said Dorsett of his once and current coach. "I walked onto the bus and Willie was like, "Oh, I thought we were getting a tough fighter.'"

Dorsett would go on to challenge for both the team and league lead in penalty minutes each full season he played with the Tigers. He finished his WHL career with 593 PIM in 180 games played, while putting up 16 goals and 48 assist-campaigns. He would step up in the postseason, being named playoff MVP in 2005-06 and helped the Tigers win the 2007 WHL Championship, en route to a berth in the Memorial Cup.

“It all worked out in the end and I've got some real fond memories from my time there,” said Dorsett.

Only 24 players were selected after Dorsett in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, but he had made it. He had achieved his goal and overcame a ton along the way. Kindersley's native son would be on his way to NHL training camp with the Blue Jackets, but that wasn't good enough for Dorsett and his story doesn't stop there.

Not many at 5'11'' and 176 lbs make it through the WHL and into the NHL. Even fewer stick in pro hockey, as Dorsett did, plying his trade in the AHL. The following year, he would go on to lead the Syracuse Crunch in penalty minutes and all AHL rookies in PIM with 289, while picking up 18 points.

What Dorsett would have given to play a single NHL game years ago, one can only imagine, but through proving people wrong time and time again, his one NHL game turned into one game away from the Stanley Cup.

The New York Rangers were looking for grit to help them in the postseason and Dorsett was acquired from the Blue Jackets for that reason. The problem, however, was that he was not even expected to play in the post season. Once again, the bulldog showed his fight and he returned from a collarbone break that had placed him on the sidelines for almost the entire regular season. Number 51 would, in fact, dress in Broadway blue for the playoffs.

While the Rangers would not go all the way that year, the best was yet to come from Dorsett. The small town kid from Kindersley would end up a big part of the Stanley Cup run, which is not terribly surprising considering hockey played at that time of the year, caters itself to hard work, physicality, grit and guts.

New York ended up three wins short from the ultimate prize.

“I think anytime you have success and you keep winning playoff series, you think, this might be my turn - this could be it...the chance to win, in my opinion, the best trophy in all of sports," said Dorsett.

It is still a huge achievement, but don't tell that to any player who has fallen just short, especially one with the make up of Dorsett.

“I definitely had some conversations with family and friends about the experience and how cool it was, but it was hard to think about it over the summer because of how close we were," said Dorsett.

The Rangers did not prove to be the ultimate fit, despite trying to return to the dance and it was Dorsett, who would end up with a change in venue, but with a familiar conductor.

Cue Willie Desjardins and the Vancouver Canucks.

The head coach and everyone else in the hockey world now nows firmly what to expect from Dorsett. For those Canucks fans who didn't, it was quickly realized.

There is a good chance he'll return to the numbers he has become infamous for sporting, those 100+-PIM and 20+-points-types of seasons. Dorsett, though, has one thought on his mind - one which arrives with the agony of defeat, combined with the attitude of a winner.

“It was a special time and it just makes me hungrier to get back there and actually come out on top," he said.

Canucks fans hope so. They too, have fought through ups and downs and have come out battle tested. Perhaps, there is no better player, then, to represent what not only the roster, but the city hopes to achieve: The determined Derek Dorsett