�I�m not a pretty skater to watch,� said the 6�foot�4 Daze. �It�s natural for some players like Chris Chelios to skate better and Tony Amonte (to skate) with grace. Me, I�m more of a power forward. I know I�m not good�looking on the ice, but I think I do the job.�

Last season, Daze�s numbers backed his assertion that he can get things done for the Hawks.

Freshman sensation

Daze, who won�t turn 22 until July, netted 30 goals and 23 assists for 53 points while playing in 80 games. He was the Hawks� third�leading goal�scorer and finished second overall in scoring among rookies behind Ottawa�s Daniel Alfredsson who led with 61 points.

Alfredsson also edged out Daze by 21 points for the Calder Trophy, awarded to the NHL�s top rookie. That margin turned out to be the closest voting for the Calder since 1886/87.

�Last year was a fun year,� said Daze one afternoon following a practice session at the United Center. �I came (in) with a quick start, put a lot of confidence, played well all season and (in the) playoffs, too. It was a great year.�

The Hawks called up Daze with four games remaining in the 1994/95 season after he scored 54 goals in 57 games (99 points) for the Beauport Harfangs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The previous year, Daze amassed 59 goals and 107 points in 66 games.

Daze vividly recalls his first game as a Hawk against the Dallas Stars, as well as registering his first NHL goal vs. rival Detroit��all at the tender age of 19.

�My first shift of the game, and (when) I heard the crowd and the (national) anthem, I was very nervous and it was a great feeling,� said Daze, referring to the long�held tradition of Hawks fans cheering during the national anthem. �After that, my first goal came in the second game against Detroit (against) Mike Vernon with a pass from Denis Savard.

�That was one of the good feelings. To be nominated for the Calder Trophy last year was a good one, too.�

Sophomore struggles

So far this season, however, Daze has experienced little of the magic of his rookie year. He missed most of October with a badly sprained ankle, then has struggled to get into an offensive groove, scoring just nine goals in 41 games.

And Daze is well aware that he needs to rekindle his ability to light the lamp. The Hawks averaged just 2.5 goals per game during their first 52 games, and have lost 12 games by one goal.

�I got hurt and that slowed me a little bit,� said Daze. �It (his scoring slump) probably is affecting my confidence. (But) I still got the skill that brought me here. I still got a great shot, good speed and size, and I�m ready to have a good end of the season. I know if I get through this, I�ll be a much better player. That�s something I never do. I never quit and keep working hard.�

Tips for the trade

Daze possesses a quick shot, and encourages young players to spend time developing the one�timer. �Your one�timer is a great asset to your game because the goalie never knows when the puck gets set up,� he said. �That�s one of my biggest assets. That�s something you�ve got to work at every day.�

Traditionally, instructors tell youngsters to shoot for the four corners of the net, or a goalie�s stick side because it is usually a more vulnerable area than his glove hand. However, Daze suggests trying to shoot between the goalie�s legs, as well. �Between the legs is a great place,� he said. �(If the goaltender) makes a move, they open their legs and you put it right between their legs. That�s a place even the great goalies can�t protect with that kind of shooting.�

If you find yourself on the power play, Daze said moving the puck should be your No. 1 priority in order to create good scoring chances. �You have to move the puck quick and shoot on the net,� he said. �A good power play has great movement of the puck to create some space.�

Defensively, Daze said wingers should learn to react to a particular situation as the play unfolds.

�It�s fun playing offensively, but defensively you�ve got to work harder,� he said. �Sometimes you have to let the defense(men) take the forward. Sometimes three guys will go to (cover) the same player, and you have to be focused.�

Checking also is an important skill for wingers to work on, according to Daze. It�s an area he�s devoted particular attention to in the NHL.

�You�ve got to go hard and read the play and finish your check,� he said. �That�s something I�m learning a lot this year. I think I finish my checks a lot more than I used to.

Guys get tired in the third period when they get hit (over the course of a game), and you could create a 3�on�2 or a 2�on�1 so it�s very important to finish your check. I�m not a natural checker so I have to contain him and finish my check.�

Not to be forgotten�and probably most important�is skating. Daze believes a combination of bike riding and weight lifting over the summer will help make one a stronger skater when a new season begins. But note that Daze stresses building strength in your legs, not solely the upper body.

�The most important thing is to get stronger with your legs,� he said. �(Work with) weights and ride the bike a lot during the summer. Young people often just do the upper body, and their legs get a little bit weak. I think you have to work both. Strong legs will push you. Your abs (abdominal muscles) are very important, I think, for skating too.