Janis Sprukts Snared in Panthers’ Amerk Decoy
According to an article in the Democrat and Chronicle, the Rochester Americans pressed their parent team the Florida Panthers hard to get Latvian Hockey player Janis Sprukts back to the AHL. The player himself however, was under the apparent impression he’d be playing in the NHL with the Cats.
So, Janis left Europe to sign a 1-year contract with Florida, but has so far only played one single game with the Cats, the remaining contests have been played in the AHL with Rochester. Not exactly the deal he thought he had bargained for. The 26-year old wasn’t given any guarantees from the Panthers organization, as far as anyone is willing to admit to anyway, but it seems the player was under the impression he’d get a real shot at establishing himself in the NHL.
It is likely that this was never the case; as already in August billboards in Rochester were publicizing his imminent return to the team. But Sprukts is a consummate professional and remains one of the few Amerk players to have distinguished himself in an otherwise mediocre campaign.
Jan is disappointed with the treatment from Florida and can’t envisage signing a new contract with the Panthers. He thinks he’ll return to Europe instead: "To me, it seemed right away there wasn’t much interest up top," Sprukts said in the article interview. "I signed to be playing in The Show, to be playing in the NHL. I don’t look at myself as an AHL player for the rest of my career."
Despite the obvious sense of disillusionment which Sprukts gives the impression of feeling, his line with fellow Panther call-ups Tanner Glass and Michal Repik has been producing of late. Coach Benoit Groulx believes the Americans are finally beginning to see what Janis is capable of on the ice; after having had a recurring groin problem early in the season which seriously limited his ability to play as well as he could.
Janis Sprukts’ hard work and dedication seems to have been rewarded as he has been given the opportunity to help Latvia try and qualify for the Olympic Games next year. It was announced the other day that he had been loaned by the Panthers to the Latvian National Team for the Qualifying Tournament, to be held between February 5th and 8th. He’ll then be eligible to return to Rochester’s next road trip, starting on the 10th. Florida’s GM Jacques Martin said in a statement:
“This is an excellent chance for Janis to gain further experience playing at the international level, […] he has provided the Americans with a consistent effort all season long and he is very deserving of this opportunity to represent his native country. We are also very pleased that the Rochester ownership group recognizes the importance of Janis playing in this tournament and for agreeing with this mutual decision.”
If the Florida Panthers are hoping that this decision, to let him play for his national team, is going to make Janis re-sign for the Panthers next year; they may have another thing coming…
One can only speculate as to what exactly was said to lure him here in the first place, but it seems unlikely he’ll fall for the same ruse twice. If indeed Florida had hoped to utilize Sprukts in a future NHL roster, they may very well have blown that chance already. And even if he plays an important role in Rochester, the kind of tricks used here are unlikely to impress other players who may want to sign for the Cats in the future. None of them will want to sign with the Panthers, expecting to play, and then be sent up north for AHL schooling instead.
These things spread fast and can tarnish a franchises reputation with players, and so it seems like a precarious move to make and has a – not so small – hint of desperation surrounding it. Hopefully it is a case of misunderstanding and not a deliberate subterfuge from the Panthers, but that would be the best of any possible rationalization; while all others reek of the pungent smell of deceit.
Janis Sprukts has remained a true professional throughout this time, playing through injury in the early campaign, and has a team leading 28 points on the board (in 39 games). That is six more than the closest following players – line mate Michael Repik and defender Jason Garrison (22). Janis has 12 goals and 16 assists, minus 10 and 10 penalty minutes in total.
I can only imagine the frustration of a player expecting to play in the NHL and instead playing for the bottom team in the AHL. I do hope it was all a misunderstanding – we don’t want bad rumors to spread in Europe – we want Markstöm here in Florida!!!