Dumoulin familiar with Penguins' system - 07-10-12
On paper, Brian Dumoulin's name is easy to overlook. He was the third component of a blockbuster trade the Penguins made at last month's NHL draft which sent Jordan Staal to the Carolina Hurricanes. The Penguins received center Brandon Sutter, a former first-round pick, the No. 8 overall pick which was used to draft defenseman Derrick Pouliot as well as Dumoulin.
In person, it's difficult to overlook Dumoulin at 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds. Despite only being 20, Dumoulin already has NHL-caliber size for a blue liner. Additionally, he's already familiar on a basic level with the Penguins' system having played in a version of it during his career at Boston College.
Dumoulin, a second round pick in 2011 (No. 51 overall), signed an entry-level contract with Carolina this past spring prior to being traded to the Penguins.
Today, he talked about the trade and how he sees himself fitting in with the Penguins.
Where you surprised that you were part of the trade?
"Obviously at the draft, there’s going to be a lot going on. Carolina of course wanted Jordan Staal. There’s always a thought that your name could possibly be involved in a trade. But I’m very happy I ended up with Pittsburgh. I know a lot of guys that are in the system. I thought that it was a good trade for me."
How did you find out about the trade?
"I was sitting at home. I wasn’t watching the draft at the time but as soon as I heard the news that I got traded, I clicked it on. It was cool to see the excitement in Pittsburgh."
Why do so many Boston College players have success in the NHL?
"It’s cool to see so many B.C. guys having success in the NHL. I think it’s just they way we were brought up. At B.C. we were brought up similar to Pittsburgh playing that style. Coach (Jerry) York is very accountable on and off the ice. I think that’s translated to the NHL for a lot of players."
How similar is Boston College system to the Penguins?
"They run a similar style to what we did at B.C. I remember sitting in the B.C. locker room and watching a tape of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Coach York saying this is how we want to play because Pittsburgh has had success. If that can translate to college and us winning national championships, that’s all the best for us. And that’s what Coach York has done."
Was it difficult to learn the system?
"Especially when we were first learning it. I had never seen it before. We watched the tape. Puck retrievals, breakouts, neutral zone transition. All of it was based off Pittsburgh."
What do you see your role being in this systems?
"I definitely want to be solid in the defensive zone with puck retrievals. It’s important, especially in they’re system, for me to be back and be the first guy to touch the puck and have my (defensive) partner communicate on where he wants it to go. I definitely want to get on the puck first and be physical. And also be a very mobile defenseman and I want to be able to jump into the play and help my forwards."
(Photo: Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)