Story on McMahon in today's Herald.
The evolution of Rory McMahon
Posted on Thu, Nov. 11, 2004
MEN'S HOCKEY: The evolution of Rory McMahon
UND assistant captain goes from checker to fighter to scorer
By Virg Foss
Herald Staff Writer
For three seasons, Rory McMahon has carved himself a place in the UND lineup as a defensive forward and a specialist at winning face-offs.
His tough, gritty style of play also resulted in 22 goals in three seasons, 115 penalty minutes and the respect of his teammates, who voted him as an assistant captain this season.
But when Fighting Sioux leading scorers Brandon Bochenski and Zach Parise left UND early to sign professional contracts, the role changed for McMahon.
Mainly a center his first three seasons, he's now playing wing on a line with a pair of freshmen, center Travis Zajac and wing Rastislav Spirko, on what is arguably UND's top offensive line.
They played together for the first time last weekend against Colorado College, and McMahon responded with his first two-goal game in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Tigers.
"From talking with the coaches, they want me to focus a little more on offense this year," McMahon said. "My defensive game has been pretty good, so I need to start contributing more on offense."
Sioux head coach Dave Hakstol said that McMahon has a solid track record as a scorer before he came to UND, both in leagues in Saskatchewan and British Columbia Junior Hockey League.
With the Sioux offense averaging 2.0 goals per game in Western Collegiate Hockey Association play, McMahon for one is being looked to elevate UND's offense.
"They gave me some players (Zajac and Spirko) who are really offensive minded," McMahon said. "Travis can score goals (six goals, tops on team), and Spirko is probably the best playmaker on the team."
McMahon showed last Friday that he can score in a variety of ways. His first goal came in typical McMahon fashion, when he fought through traffic in front of the net to backhand in a rebound.
His second was far more sensational and eye opening. He broke down left wing, cut sharply to the net and beat goalie Curtis McElhinney high on the short side off his forehand, a tough shot from a difficult angle.
McMahon's toughness showed earlier this season when he fought with Minnesota's Mike Vannelli, in which both players landed several haymakers and both were ejected. His teammates still rib him about that.
"Who's the toughest guy on the Fighting Sioux?" one player shouted in the Sioux dressing room Tuesday. "Rory McMahon," came the reply.
"They're just giving me a hard time," McMahon said. "Those things (fights) happen. It's no big deal. It's part of the game. "
Hakstol doesn't see any reason why McMahon can't be a big offensive force. They may need that, with another key cog, Brady Murray, sidelined for up to another month with a knee injury.
"When Rory played at the Triple A level in Saskatchewan, he was one of the points leaders in one of the top Triple A circuits in Western Canada," Hakstol said. "In the British Columbia Junior Hockey League, he had real good offensive numbers, so he had some natural offensive ability."
McMahon's flashes of offensive spark have elevated him to UND's top offensive line. "He's worked extremely hard to get this opportunity," Hakstol said, "and more importantly, he's making the most of it."
So now the former defensive specialist is being looked to for offense. "That's the quality character of Rory coming out," Hakstol said. "Whatever role you ask him to play, he's willing to do it. He has never once complained about being in a two-way defensive role."
There is no complaining from McMahon about his new role. "It's been great to solidify the defensive side of my game here," McMahon said. "But now that I have the opportunity to go offensive, I'm excited about that."
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