Hitting the Hinote/ Avalanche forward learns to channel his

DENVER - During several trials as a Colorado Avalanche rookie last season, forward Dan Hinote was everywhere, but nowhere.

"I tended to skate around at 100 mph and do nothing sometimes," Hinote said.

This season, he is learning to show up where his team needs him.

Hinote sat out five of the Avalanche's first 13 games as a healthy scratch, but he's played well since injuries to other players thrust him into a bigger role. Hinote has two goals and four assists and lately has been playing 12-17 minutes a game, mostly as a checker.

Hinote plays with the same intensity as he did last season, only it's channeled better.

"It really started to hit home toward the end of last season," Hinote said. "I started to learn to take things a little bit slower, read the situation and then use my speed when I need to use it."

Hinote started the year with Colorado but was sent to Hershey eight days later. Then, he was recalled four times with trips back to Hershey in between.

Each trip up or down meant a role change. He had 28 goals and 59 points in 55 games with Hershey and one goal and three assists in 27 NHL games. Being a goal-scorer in the minors was a blast, but he knew his NHL future was in pestering opponents.

So while in Hershey, Hinote combined the roles. He worked on delivering hard checks and disturbing passes first, then concentrated on scoring the tough goals with players hanging on him around the net.

"We have Shjon Podein - he's got (seven) goals already - and that's the perfect example of the kind of player I'd like to be someday," Hinote said. "You work in their zone, work hard and chances come."

- Thomas Harding may be reached at tharding@gazette.com

Avalanche

LATE SATURDAY: Milan Hejduk scored his second goal of the game 39 seconds into overtime as Colorado beat Calgary 3-2. Joe Sakic had a goal and two assists for the Avalanche, which at 16-4-3 matched the 1994-95 start of the Quebec Nordiques as the best opening in franchise history.

NEXT: Phoenix Coyotes at Colorado Avalanche

WHEN: 7 p.m. Wednesday

TV/RADIO: FSN/740 AM

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