Young forward hopes to perfect hockey pedigree

By Steve Silver

Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009 | midnight

Living up to the legacy of a successful older sibling is never an easy task.

When that older sibling has his name on the Stanley Cup, though, stepping out of that shadow can seem impossible.

But new Las Vegas Wranglers forward Andrew Orpik seems ready for the challenge.

Orpik, a recent graduate of Boston College, has grown up watching his older brother Brooks transition from a successful career at Boston College to his now seventh season in the NHL with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

"I'm proud of my brother," Andrew said. "I've seen how hard he's worked and everything he has ever done, he has earned: from working hard on and off the ice. He is one of the most hard-working guys in the weight room. I never try to compare myself to him. I'm not him, but at the same time, it's a privilege to have him as a brother."

Brooks, a 2000 first-round draft choice of the Penguins, helped Pittsburgh win its third Stanley Cup last season. Prior to moving to the NHL, Brooks spent two seasons in the American Hockey League with the Wiles-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

Now, Andrew is starting his path to one day holding the Stanley Cup in Las Vegas.

"He will be a real good player at this level," said Wranglers head coach and general manager Ryan Mougenel. "He's got the right attitude coming down that he has to work his tail off, and that's the type of person he is. You know if the pedigree isn't too far from his brother, then I wouldn't be surprised if he moves up to the American level and has success right way."

Orpik, a 2005 seventh-round draft pick of the Buffalo Sabres, participated in the San Antonio Rampage's training camp this season.

The Rampage moved him to Las Vegas prior to the start of Wranglers training camp last week — a demotion that the 23-year-old appears to be handling well.

"Obviously you want to play at the highest level," Orpik said. "It's tough to get sent down, but it's my first year, so its going to be a journey for me wherever I do end up. The goal is to end up in the NHL, but I know Vegas is the premiere team in the ECHL. I'm happy to be here and I think we have a great group of guys. I'm excited to be here and excited to get the season going."

At 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, Orpik certainly has the size and speed to be a successful professional hockey player.

To move up to the AHL, though, he still must hone his exact role on the ice.

"Orpik's the type of player that has to identify what type of player he is," Mougenel said. "Sometimes when you are a young guy you don't fully understand how you have to play every night. The good news is that he knows he has to be the guy to take the puck wide, get inside the paint and get in those tough areas to score."

That willingness to play aggressive and score the difficult goals will make Orpik an asset for the Wranglers while he is still here. His eagerness to listen to and learn from his coach might even prove a more valuable trait.

Just two days into training camp, Orpik seems to have already absorbed Mougenel's instructions on what it will take to join his brother in the NHL.

"The older you get, the more you realize that a player like me has to take the puck hard to the net, finish checks and play hard all the time," Orpik said. "You don't always get called up for having the most points. It's nice to get points, but I understand my role. It's not to go out and stick handle through everybody. It's to play a hard-nosed game and be a guy that is not fun to play against."

Steve Silver can be reached at 948-7822 or [email protected].