Center Mike Field had impressed coach Al Sims at an AHL camp.

Rookie's road trip ends at K's
Center Mike Field had impressed coach Al Sims at an AHL camp

Click here to read Blake Sebring's story on the News Sentinel website.

By showing he can drive to the net, Mike Field (pictured right) is hoping he doesn't have to drive anywhere else this year.

The center started his rookie pro hockey season by driving from his home in Marquette, Mich., to Norfolk, Va., for training camp with the American Hockey League's Admirals. After he was released, he drove to Augusta, Ga., to try out with the ECHL's Lynx. After he was released there, he thought about heading home, but instead he got a call from Komets coach Al Sims, who had spotted him in Norfolk's camp.

So far, so good, until he was pulled over in Georgia for speeding when all he was trying to do was get out of the way of some drivers who were threatening to run him over.

“It kind of comes with the territory,” Field said. “If you want to do this for a living, you have to be willing to move around.”

The travel isn't as bad as it used to be for Field, who played juniors in Billings and Helena, Mont., and then college hockey at American International College in Springfield, Mass. The trip to Montana took 24 hours and a ride to Springfield only 16.

“I pretty much listen to music and get on the cell phone and call everybody I know,” he said. “After that, you zone out and just keep going, following the road.”

So far, it looks as if the road is getting a little easier for Field, who has impressed Sims with his speed and defensive ability.

“For the most part he's been a solid defensive player,” Sims said. “He's killed penalties for me and his versatility helps us. He's a guy I can count on to shut down the other team's third line. He's a real strong skater who is very good at getting back on people and tracking back and stripping pucks.”

Field said he has played every forward position and has also played some defense on the power play. He's starting at center right since the injury to Dominic Osman has opened a spot for Rick Varone to move up with Colin Chaulk and Konstantin Shafranov.

Field has been splitting Olivier Legault and Brad MacMillan. At 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds, that means Field is well-protected, but he spent part of the summer working out with jujitsu and Muay Thai. His brother is training for some mixed martial arts work. Has Field considered it?

“Maybe,” he said. “It would kind of depend. At least with that it seems like it would be easier because it wouldn't be me fighting a guy who is 6-4, 200 pounds. It was would be somebody my own size.”

But that would take an entirely different kind of drive.