University of Massachusets Athletics
UMass Alum Zywicki Reflects On Rookie Season In NLL
August 09, 2006 | Men's Lacrosse
Aug. 9, 2006
Credit National Lacrosse League
Following a strong college lacrosse career at the University of Massachusets, Jeff Zywicki was drafted by San Jose with the eighth overall selection in the 2005 Entry Draft.
Zywicki reflects on his Welcome to the NLL Moment of his rookie season. "It was the season-opening game at Edmonton, and I went out my first NLL shift. I ran on the floor, we had the ball on right side. I set a pick for one of my teammates, and the first Edmonton defender that I came upon laid me out with a cross-check that sent my helmet flying onto the turf. I said to myself `I guess I'm in the big leagues now'. I picked up my helmet and finished up the shift."
He shook off the hit and wasted no time in leaving an impression on the game and his teammates, scoring three of San Jose's ten goals in a 10-9 overtime win. Zywicki became an impact player faster than anyone could have expected, scoring at least two goals in ten of San Jose's first eleven games. He finished the season with a team-leading 27 goals. Zywicki added 21 assists for a total of 48 points, second-highest on the Stealth.
"Whenever a rookie can step in and earn that instant credibility from coaches and teammates, it really takes the pressure off him as a player", said Stealth GM Johnny Mouradian, who drafted Zywicki. "What we like is that he's really versatile. He can cut inside and score, he can shoot from the outside, he can set picks for his teammates, and he can open up space for his teammates because he's so dangerous when he's open, that he attracts a lot of attention from the opposing defense."
Zywicki, now 25, grew up in Nepean, a suburb of Ottawa. While his first NLL season did not finish with a trip to the playoffs, his summer has yielded a championship that he will never forget. During the recently completed World Field Lacrosse Championships, he led Team Canada in goal scoring, and was second in points, scoring 28 goals and 8 assists in the tournament. In the gold medal game, he scored five goals and one assist as Canada prevailed over the United States 15-10, handing the US its first loss in the tournament in 28 years. "It was hands down the highlight of my lacrosse career so far", he said. "To win for your country while playing alongside Gary Gait in what was probably his final tournament was unreal".
Veteran defenseman Jim Moss is a teammate on the Stealth and this summer with Team Canada. "I was very aware that Jeff had the potential to be a producer on our team. The most impressive aspect for me was that he did not choose to be flashy in any respect he kept it very simple. He got open caught the ball and put it in the back of the net. Nothing flashy. Played hard and was so consistent. I can say I was impressed that he buried five in the Final, but I guess big players play their best in big games. This makes Jeff a big time player! And a huge reason that we get to call ourselves world champions", said Moss.
On his goals for his second NLL season: "I'd like to keep getting better, play a bigger role on the team this season. Obviously making the playoffs is the top goal. That seven-game losing streak killed us last season". San Jose started 5-4 but lost their last seven to finish 5-11. He also knows that opposing defenses will be keying in on him. "As the year went on, teams started putting their best defensive guys on me. I know that I'll have to raise my game to match the top defenders I'm playing against."
Zywicki and his Stealth teammates will look to avoid the late-season offensive struggles that ended their 2006 season. In the final seven games, San Jose was held to ten goals or less in all but one contest. "Our guys were still getting their fair amount of shots, they just weren't going in for Jeff or anybody", said Mouradian. "We'll have to find a way to make sure that doesn't happen again."
Away from lacrosse, Zywicki is a big fan of Ultimate Fighting. "I watch a lot of UFC, all the pay-per-view specials. I find it a lot more exciting than boxing". Would he ever try stepping into the octagon? "I'd like to train for it, but getting in there and fighting is a whole other matter", laughed Zywicki. NLL.com asked him which Stealth player would make the best Ultimate Fighter. "I'd say (goaltender) Matt Vinc", said Zywicki. He's a big guy (6'1", 225)."
