Dollas’ Body Is Bruised, but His Spirit Is Unbowed

Mighty Duck defenseman Bobby Dollas emerged--limping, grimacing--from the trainer’s room. After all, it’s difficult to walk with a bowling ball-sized ice pack strapped to your left foot.

Another game, another war wound.

It’s only a bruise, though, nothing worse.

“I’ve got another one over here,” he said, pointing to a purplish-colored welt the size of a hockey puck on his right thigh.

More evidence that playing defense his way, the gritty way, can be harmful to one’s health. Somebody’s got to do it, though, and Dollas figures: “Why not me?”

Both bruises came from blocking opponents’ shots so goaltender Guy Hebert wouldn’t have to. Just part of the job, according to Dollas.

“I’ll do anything to stop the puck from going into the net,” he said. “If I can’t score, I might as well keep the other team from scoring.

“I take pride in what I do.”

So he dives, fearlessly it seems, trying to stop the opposition and making Hebert’s night a little easier.

And he battles in the corners and in front of the net. It’s hand-to-hand combat, particularly fearsome now that the Ducks are in the midst of the Western Conference playoff race.

But such play comes with a heavy price: bruises.

Dollas skipped practice on Thursday. His left foot ached where a puck hit it and there was no sense pushing it through a 45-minute workout. Rest was perhaps the best tonic.

But he expects to be in the lineup tonight against the St. Louis Blues at the Pond. He has played in all 68 games this season, one of only three Ducks to do so, and it will take more than a bruise or two to force him to the sideline.

This is nothing new.

No defenseman in the Ducks’ brief history has been as consistent and as reliable as Dollas. After all, he played all 82 games last season, 45 of 48 in the lockout-shortened 1994-95 season and 77 of 84 in 1993-94.

But more than that, Dollas has been the Ducks’ best defenseman. He’s not flashy, won’t make anyone forget Bobby Orr, but he always seems to be in the right spot at the right time.

One statistic seems to tell all:

In four seasons in Anaheim, Dollas has a plus-minus rating of plus-46.

“We have a couple of superstars here in No. 8 and No. 9,” Hebert said, referring to all-star wingers Teemu Selanne and Paul Kariya. “But all this [winning] wouldn’t be possible without ‘Dolly.’ With his steady play, he’s gained a lot of respect not only here but around the league.”

Hebert said he was unaware of Dollas’ sparkling plus-minus rating.

“Really? Forty-six?” Hebert said. “That is surprising, especially since he’s been on an expansion team. But he’s put together four really solid years here.”

Dollas, Hebert and winger Joe Sacco are the only ones left from the original team. Since the inaugural season, management has tinkered and revamped the roster. The defensive corps has been a favorite target of change by General Manager Jack Ferreira and Coach Ron Wilson.

“I think our defense had to get a little be more mobile than last year,” Wilson said.

Dollas, 32, has managed to survive all the purges, trades and demotions. Certainly, he’s not the fastest or the most mobile Duck defenseman. But he seems to be thriving, paired the last few weeks with impressive rookie Dan Trebil.

Dollas hopes he and Trebil stick together for the rest of the season. It’s unlikely Wilson, mindful of the pairing’s good chemistry, will split them up any time soon.

Dollas has been good for Trebil; Trebil has been good for Dollas.

“He’s so great defensively,” Trebil said of Dollas. “He’s given me so much confidence. He’s there when I screw up. He’s really great covering for me. At the end of almost every shift, he has some advice to offer.”

Said Dollas: “I enjoy playing with him. He soaks up everything I say like a sponge. He’s always asking for tips. I was the same way when I was his age.

“That’s why it’s a partnership.”

It hasn’t always seemed that Dollas and the Ducks represented a perfect marriage. Certainly, he had the team’s best interests in mind. But at least once his frank public comments angered teammates and threatened to divide the dressing room.

After a particularly bad performance in a 4-3 loss to the Hartford Whalers last season, Dollas ripped the Ducks’ method of operation to a room filled with reporters.

Most upsetting to some of his teammates was this comment:

“We don’t communicate a lot--on the ice, in the dressing room. Of the forwards, only one or two guys talk on the ice. In general, 70% don’t say a lot. It’s a lack of experience. I played on teams when some guys didn’t shut up.”

Wilson, for one, said he was glad to read of Dollas’ outburst. Dollas was right, Wilson told the Ducks the next day during a hastily called meeting. Somebody needed to stand up and tell the truth.

Wilson’s only fault with Dollas was that he used the newspaper rather than make his critique behind closed doors.

“He’s very vocal,” Hebert said of Dollas. “He’s not afraid to say what’s on his mind. He’s been controversial with some of his teammates with some of his comments. But he wants other guys to work as hard as he does.

“The truth hurts sometimes.”

No hard feelings, Dollas said. He was simply trying all he could to jump-start the Ducks.

“I believe in calling a spade a spade,” he said. “I would expect that if I were slacking off people would tell me.

“I’m not here to criticize. I’m here to do whatever it takes to win.”