One thing you can say about Cowichan Valley Capitals’ defenceman Chris Frank is he’s never been timid about being a younger player in the B.C. Hockey League.
The rambunctious defenceman has fought his share of battles since joining the team last season – a role usually reserved for older players. Remarkably, Frank doesn’t turn 18 until Jan. 8.
“I take it upon myself to stick up for everyone,” Frank says.
He’s been a bit too enthusiastic about meeting challenges from opponents, forcing coach Scott Robinson to pull in the reins at times.
“I trust Scott, he wasn’t exactly shy from that stuff back in his day,” says Frank.
Robinson’s guidance in that area has been a benefit or else you’d probably find Frank fighting someone every game and wearing himself out.
“It’s been really good actually,” Frank reasons. “It seems like it was more chaos last year. He (Robinson) knows what he’s talking about.”
Frank has taken on virtually anyone and everyone who’ll stand up to him this season, but Alberni Valley’s Curtis Tidball has been a repeat customer – especially with so many recent meetings between the teams.
“I wanted to go after him,” Frank smiled about a Nov. 28 meeting at Cowichan Arena. “But the coaches told me you’ll have your time.”
Frank doesn’t hesitate to drop the gloves if the right situation presents itself and if it’ll help the team.
“The only reason I do it is for momentum change,” he explains. “You’ve got to pick your spots. You don’t want to go at the end of a line change, for example.
“I always look at it something can happen every game, just be ready for it. I don’t expect to fight every game. I am just ready every game.”
Frank was born in Seattle and grew up playing hockey in the Sno-Kings’ program before joining the Caps.
“I didn’t know if I was going to play in this league because of the out-of-province rules,” he points out. “The Capitals went to court for me.”
Frank adjusted immediately to the physical part of the BCHL game and continues to improve all aspects of his defensive play. He’s also shown some offensive flair.
“I’m not a big goal-scorer,” he laughs. “The puck doesn’t want to go in for me in this league, but I think it’s going to come.”
Frank feels the ice time the Caps didn’t hesitate to give him last season advanced his confidence immensely.
“I think it helped me out a lot,” he concedes. “A lot of guys come as 16-year-olds and they don’t play. You need that game experience – even though you practice all the time.”
In the meantime, Frank will continue doing what he does best: being a thorne in the other team’s side.
“I try to earn respect,” he says. “Me and Cam MacIntyre are starting to get a lot more respect from teams around the league.”
Frank enjoys playing the role that frequently makes him the centre of attention.
“I probably sweat more in one fight than I do in an entire game,” he quips.
“I still look at it as being fun. It gets my adrenaline pumping.”
