Aaron Macklin has been a mucker and a grinder his entire hockey career.
He knows his limitations. Those hands of cement will never win the 19-year-old Prince George Cougar left winger any scoring titles. Through 34 games with the Cats this season Macklin had a grand total of two goals and eight points.
But if you ask Cougar snipers Brad Morrison and Jansen Harkins who they'd prefer to have occupying the left wing on their highly-productive scoring line, Macklin is their guy. He's stepped into that role to make that forward combination a success.
With Macklin fearlessly throwing his six-foot-two, 204-pound body at opponents, causing havoc in front of the net whenever he gets a chance, Morrison and Harkins are taking advantage of the extra space to operate, and that means goals and assists to celebrate.
"I think I've been working really hard and those two are very skilled to play with -- I'm just out there being the defensive guy for them, making room for them and it's lots of fun," said Macklin.
"I like sticking up for them and laying the body down low."
Until lately, Macklin had no idea his smart stick positioning and fleet feet, combined with his policing abilities, would lead to second-line duty and is enjoying the perks that affords him.
Now drawing plenty of icetime with guys who know how to score, Macklin finally nailed down his second goal of the season Saturday in Kelowna and picked up one assist -- a hard needle-threading pass up the middle to Harkins -- in what turned out a seven-point night for that forward trio in Tuesday's 8-4 win over the Tri-City Americans. He hadn't scored since the first game of the season Sept. 26 against Kelowna
"I thought I'd be a third- or fourth-line guy working hard and providing momentum for the top two lines and I worked hard and got a chance with these two kids and it's been great ever since," said Macklin. "I feel I have a lot bigger role now. I'm guess I'm getting a bit more relaxed and trying more stuff and it's fun."
Since the start of the season Cougars head coach Mark Holick has used Macklin as a penalty-killing forward. His icetime has increased substantially the past few games since he started playing with Morrison and Harkins.
"He's a big guy who can skate and he can make the simple plays and he's a good confidence-booster from me and Jansen," said Morrison. "He can surprise you with the passes he makes. He's a good team guy and a good player. He's really an underrated guy."
Macklin, acquired in a trade at the start of the 2013-14 season from the Kamloops Blazers, has a reputation as a quiet leader on the ice and in the dressing room. Known for his wit, he rarely speaks up among his teammates. But when he does, he's like a big brother who commands respect, and they listen.
Macklin hits hard but doesn't go looking for trouble against Cougar opponents but he's quite comfortable letting his fists do the talking. He stepped in to take on Rockets tough guy Tyrell Goulbourne when he over-enthusiastically pasted Morrison into the boards Saturday in Kelowna.
"He's certainly an unsung hero," said Holick. "He's quietly just plodding along working his butt off every day. He has a great attitude and he's getting what he deserves. I'd love to see his hands get a little bit softer because he's had a lot of chances and maybe he's leaving some money on the table.
"[Morrison and Harkins] know he's going to be around the net and know if they get pucks in traffic they can create something for us. They know if something goes on he's going to be there to help them out. It makes them gain a few inches and a few pounds. It's a dirty job and he's doing it."
The 19-year-old Macklin spent the Christmas holidays at home in High River, Alta., where he had to deal with the tragedy of losing two of his best friends -- 19-year-old Carter Corrigan and 20-year-old Eli Gosselin. They both died Dec. 20 in a single-vehicle accident northeast of High River. Gosselin was captain of the junior B High River Flyers. Macklin missed both games in Victoria while he attended the funerals.
"I went to school with them and hung out with them a lot, I was actually hanging out with them that night," said Mackin.
Before he moved up to the junior ranks, Macklin played with the Strathmore UFA Bisons, who lost to Russia in the final of the 2011 Mac's Midget Tournament in Calgary. The Prince George-based Cariboo Cougars won the prestigious tournament Jan. 1.
