Ron Francis: Unsung MVP

Ron Francis: Unsung MVP
By Stan Fischler
Nov 6, 2001, 19:33

 

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If the NHL had an award called “The Unsung Most Valuable Player,” a sure winner would be Pittsburgh’s handsome, unassuming center Ron Francis.

Overshadowed by the incomparable Mario Lemieux, Francis nevertheless has been an integral aspect of the Penguins renaissance.

Who could forget how the native of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario stepped into the breach after Lemieux’s hand injury in 1992 to help defeat the favored Rangers in the Patrick Division Finals. Francis not only re-established himself as the league’s premier defensive center, but also contributed mightily offensively. His 65-foot goal against Mike Richter in Game Four turned the tide in that series.

Not surprisingly, Francis starred in the Penguins’ second Stanley Cup Championship, against Chicago. “With all due respect to Mario,” says Blackhawks star Jeremy Roenick, “Ronnie was as valuable to that team as anyone.”

Scott Bowman, who coached Francis for two years, considers Ron the perfect alter ego on a star-studded team.

“Whenever I put Francis in a critical situation,” Bowman recalls, “he delivered.”

At age 31, Francis is at the pinnacle of his 13-year career. Even more astonishing is the fact that the Whalers dealt him in one of the dumbest trades since the invention of artificial ice — Francis, Ulf Samuelsson and Grant Jennings for Zarley Zalapski, John Cullen and Jeff Parker. Ironically, the man who made the deal for Hartford, Eddie Johnston, is now coaching Francis in Pittsburgh, and says, “I couldn’t be happier with him.”

In an interview with Hockey Player, Francis discussed his hockey and his life.

 

What impact did your father have on your hockey development?

He was very influential. He was the one who went outside and made the rink in the backyard. On cold nights he flooded it and made sure it was ready for us to skate on the next day. He took a lot of interest in us playing and used to sit down with us and explain the game. He was a very big part of my growth.

 

How has the NHL changed from the time you entered the league and now?

The game has gotten a lot faster. With the new high-tech blades the way they are you can turn sharper then ever before which means the speed is quicker. The guys have gotten a lot bigger. There’s more size and speed then when I broke in. The game is always going to change over time so you just have to adjust. Now it’s better because of the speed. Not to take anything away from the old guys, they played the game very well in their day.

 

What is the biggest controversial issue or problem facing the NHL right now?

We have to take away some of the clutching and grabbing so we can allow the stars in league to play the game the way they can. You want guys like Mario Lemieux, Wayne Gretzky, Steve Yzerman, Sergei Fedorov, Pavel Bure — all these guys — you want them to be able to perform to the best of their abilities. You don’t want them to be bugged and held or hooked to the point where they get injuries and can’t play.

 

Where do you stand on fighting?

Fighting is a tough issue. If you wipe out fighting and still keep the stick work and the dirty stuff down, then I think there would be a lot more people for it. Until you figure out a way to do that, you need fighting in the game to make sure the players stay honest.

 

Do you have any superstitions or rituals that you go through?

There’s a certain routine I like to go through but if that’s broken it doesn’t bother me.

 

How do you stay in shape during the off-season?

Basically I ride the bike and do weight training. Usually four or five days a week just to keep the legs in shape.

 

What is the biggest goal that you’ve scored in your career?

There have been a few of them that have been pretty big, that stand out. One that I look at is the Cup-clinching goal against Chicago in 1992. I scored the sixth goal, which was the game winner. It turned out to be a big one. Then there is the long shot against the Rangers which kind of turned that series around and the one in overtime of the same game. Anytime you score a goal though it’s a big goal.

 

You were in Hartford for a while. You were the most popular player there. How difficult was it for you when you were traded from Hartford to Pittsburgh?

It was difficult in the sense that I played in Hartford for so long and knew so many people there. I was leaving a lot of good friends behind, that part was tough. Hockey-wise it wasn’t tough. Actually it worked out pretty well. Three months later I was skating around with the Stanley Cup. So that wasn’t that tough for me. It was somewhat of an adjustment playing behind Mario, but I wasn’t stupid. I didn’t expect to take his job so that adjustment came very easy.

 

How does your role in the lineup change when Mario is playing and when he isn’t playing?

The biggest thing is when he’s not in the lineup we have to find a couple of goals some place else. Everybody has to pick it up a little and certainly I feel that I am one of those players. I’m not going to be able to replace him by myself, but I can try to do my best to help change the other players’ and change my game somewhat, maybe take a few more chances on the offensive part of the game.

What advice do you give young kids who want to play hockey?

The best advice I give kids is if you want to play the game, have fun at it. Enjoy it, but make sure you work hard at it also, and don’t take it for granted.

 

Some parents put a lot of pressure on their kids when they play. Did yours?

My parents were never like that. They brought me to my games, they told me to have fun at it, and that’s all they expected. Certainly some individuals are more high-strung than others but you have to remember it’s only a game, and it’s kids who are playing it. The main idea is to have fun, so let’s not get too carried away with it. Let’s realize what it is.

 

How hard is it for you to not be able to play? Is it difficult to watch your teammates play without you?

It’s tough. Fortunately I haven’t done it too much. Anyone who has gotten to this level has got that competitiveness in him and they want to play. When you’re not competing, it’s tough to sit back and watch. l

 

Stan Fischler writes regularly for several major sporting publications.

This first appeared in the 08/1995 issue of Hockey Player Magazine®
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