Mikkelson making time for himself

Column

Toiling on the blue line two hours outside of Vancouver while playing in the minor leagues for the Abbotsford Heat, Brendan Mikkelson waited for his call. When it finally came, it wasn't quite what he was expecting.

Thinking a call-up to Calgary was on the other end of the line the morning of Jan. 6, the 24-year-old instead learned had been traded to Tampa Bay. And it's been with the Lightning that the 6-foot-3, 202-pound defenseman has enjoyed a bit of a revolution in his career.

A former second-round pick of the Anaheim Ducks in 2005, Mikkelson spent two seasons up and down with the Ducks before being waived and claimed by Calgary last season. But since turning pro, Mikkelson has played more games in the AHL (150) than the NHL (96).

A month after the trade to Tampa Bay, however, Mikkelson looks like he has a chance to flip those numbers after a solid showing in 10 games with the Lightning. He has posted a plus-three rating despite not picking up a point and averaged just less than 14 minutes a game.

"For us, we are learning to know him day-by-day, game-by-game and week-by-week really," said assistant coach Dan LaCroix, who runs the defense. "And sometime it's a little early when somebody comes up and plays well early and (then you) see how he does over a long period of time. But right now he's earning those minutes and he's played pretty well.''

Paired mainly with Bruno Gervais, Mikkelson has begun to pick up some of the nuances of playing in the Lightning system and feels a higher level of comfort with each passing game.

"There is an adjustment period with a new team and a curve at first in terms of trying not to think too much and try to make things more habitual,'' Mikkelson said. "So that's been the thing I've felt a little more comfortable with as far as making my reads instead of thinking, 'Is this where I'm supposed to be or is that where I'm supposed to be?' So, those little things, being a little more reactionary is coming around.''

Mikkelson has shown he possesses attributes in his game that were largely lacking on the Tampa Bay blue line.

"His skating, his mobility to go back and get pucks and I think he makes a real good first pass because he keeps his head up,'' Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman said. "He keeps his options simple, the puck gets up and out and his mobility has helped us.''

While his skating ability was a known asset, the Lightning have been pleasantly surprised with Mikkelson's ability to shoot the puck. That has helped land him a spot, for the time being, in a point position on the Lightning's top power play with Steven Stamkos, Marty St. Louis and Vinny Lecavalier.

"I'm just humbled by the opportunity to be able to be out there with those guys,'' Mikkelson said. "I was looking to come here and, first off, just to get in the lineup. And then you get in the lineup and you want to keep learning and stay in the lineup and keep taking steps to improve your game.

"But you always want to put pressure on yourself to be a contributor and help out. So you are thankful for it and you want it, but at the same time you have to realize the work it takes to get there and the work you have to do to stay there.''