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Tuesday, March 18, 2003

By Dejan Kovacevic, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Micki DuPont was told he was too small to play in the Western Hockey League, but he became one of the highest-scoring defensemen in the junior ranks with the Kamloops Blazers.

He was told he was too small to be selected in the NHL Entry Draft, too, but he was taken in the ninth and final round by his hometown Calgary Flames in 2000.

He was told he was too small to succeed in the professional ranks, but he made the American Hockey League's all-rookie team in 2001 while helping the Saint John Flames to the Calder Cup championship.

Now, surely, he will be told that his 5-foot-9, 185-pound frame will prevent him from finding regular employ in the NHL, even though he already saw 18 games in two short stints with Calgary.

"Yeah, I know. I've been hearing it my whole life," DuPont said yesterday by phone from Wilkes-Barre. "But you know what? It's never been an issue for me, and that's what counts for me. I'll battle anybody, even if he's 6-5, 6-6. That's the way I've always been."

DuPont, 22, was acquired by the Penguins a week ago as part of the deal which sent right winger Shean Donovan to the Flames, and he was the only one of the seven players General Manager Craig Patrick brought in that day who was assigned to the minors.

"We like his future," Patrick said. "He has good speed, is very good with the puck and has a good, low shot that he gets on net."

Craig Button, Patrick's counterpart in Calgary, said the Flames were reluctant to give up DuPont.

"I'm proud to be associated with people like Micki DuPont," Button said. "Micki is a shining example of pursuing your dreams. But that's the player Pittsburgh wanted. This gives him an opportunity to play, to establish a strong position in the NHL."

DuPont's offensive numbers often have overshadowed his stature. In his final season in the WHL, he had 88 points in 70 games. In his three seasons in the AHL, his point totals have been 29, 40 and his current 33. Part of the reason his statistics are down slightly this season is that he spent 16 games in Calgary, producing a goal, two assists and a minus-5 rating.

He has played four games in Wilkes-Barre, including the Baby Penguins' 3-0 loss last night to visiting Philadelphia, and is off to a rough start with no points and a minus-5 rating.

The bright spot has been that he has registered 15 shots, raising his AHL-best total to 213, but he recognizes that a one-way performance will not be enough to earn him long-term work in Pittsburgh.

"I'm with a new team, and I'm trying to concentrate on taking care of my own end first," DuPont said. "As I get a little more comfortable, I'll take my chances and create a little more offense. I've always taken pride in taking care of defense first."

DuPont likened his style to that of Brian Rafalski, the New Jersey Devils' 5-9, 190-pound defenseman who has emerged as a solid two-way contributor for a perennial powerhouse despite not reaching the NHL until age 27 because of many of the same knocks DuPont has heard.

"His career is the perfect example because all he needed was a chance," DuPont said. "That's all I need is a chance. I've been proving people wrong my whole career, and I'll be happy to do it again."

Minor matters

With the loss last night, the Baby Penguins fell to 4-9-1 in their past 14 and saw their record drop to .500 again at 30-30-5-5. They also were shut out in two of their previous three games, both times by Saint John goaltender Dany Sabourin, who made 75 shots in winning, 2-0 Wednesday and 5-0 Sunday. In the latter game, the Wilkes-Barre fans booed the home team regularly. ... If that wasn't difficult enough to take, three of Saint John's goals came from the line of Robert Dome, Martin Sonnenberg and Darcy Verot, all former Penguins prospects. Dome had two, Sonnenberg one. ... The team ranks eighth in the AHL's Western Conference. The top 10 teams make the playoffs, but only the top six avoid a best-of-three preliminary round. ... Despite what management feels is a wealth of offensive talent, the Baby Penguins' power play is 1 for 41 in eight games this month. ... Left winger Toby Petersen's two goals in a 4-3 victory Saturday at Hershey increased his team-leading total to 26. ... Left winger Matt Murley has 15 goals and 32 assists to rank sixth among AHL rookies.