Rangers' Jacob Trouba proving to be a big hit in NYC

TARRYTOWN, N.Y. -- As Jacob Trouba enters the room with a New York Rangers hoodie for a chat with out-of-town reporters, you immediately get the sense that something has changed.

Never mind the fact he’s going to be turning 29 at the end of this month, there’s a maturity that is evident, both in terms of how he carries himself and how he interacts with members of the media. It was on display during a discussion that eclipsed 10 minutes following the morning skate on Monday before Trouba's Rangers took on his former team, the Winnipeg Jets.

Of course it’s important to remember that it’s been more than a decade since the Jets selected Trouba in the first round (ninth overall) of the 2012 NHL Draft -- making him the second first-rounder for the 2.0 edition of the organization after Mark Scheifele in 2011.

It’s also been a decade since Trouba made his NHL debut during the 2013-14 season, so much of his progression as both a player and a person is natural.

But well before the conversation had come to a close, it was easy to see that Trouba is not only comfortable in his surroundings, he’s thriving in his role as the captain and emotional leader of an Original Six franchise.

“I think it evolves. Where this team was four years ago is different than where it is today. And where I fit on this team,” said Trouba, noting the emergence of teammate Adam Fox and the impact that’s had in the process of finding his groove. “Obviously, Foxy is Foxy. Let him run around and do what he does and find my role and help this team win. I think that’s the most important part.

“Early in my career it's natural for anyone to be point chasing. And now, I’m just here to win hockey games, that’s all I really care about. If the team wins, I’m happy. Do whatever I can, whatever I’m asked to do and whatever role I’m asked to play. Just win. That’s all that matters now.”

Trouba never went out of his way to be in the spotlight during his time with the Jets, though he was under the microscope when he made a public trade request after suiting up for Team North America at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

That trade request, the fact he didn’t sign a contract until Nov. 7 of the 2016-17 season and a trip to arbitration in 2018 put Trouba in an interesting spot with a large portion of the Jets fan base.

While the elements of his game were certainly appreciated -- Trouba scored one of the team's most important goals during the 2018 Western Conference Final in Game 3 against the Nashville Predators -- his eventual departure seemed like an inevitability.

That moment finally came in June 2019 when he was traded to the Rangers for fellow blue-liner Neal Pionk and a first-round pick that became Ville Heinola.

Trouba always played hard for the Jets and his ability to compartmentalize the business side of the game and what occurred on the ice was something that impressed this writer.

His confidence was always high and he always believed in himself and his abilities.

Shortly after being dealt to the Rangers, Trouba signed a seven-year deal worth $56 million, cashing in on a career-best 50-point season in 2018-19 when some additional power-play time was available when Dustin Byfuglien was on the shelf with an injury.

The transition to the Big Apple wasn’t seamless, as Rangers fans were expecting him to be an offensive machine.

Some fans voiced their displeasure early on when that didn’t happen, though Trouba has done an outstanding job of winning the Blueshirts faithful over during the past several seasons.

Part of that process was connected to Trouba focusing more on the shutdown role he was asked to play along with frequent defence partner K’Andre Miller.

He’s also developed a reputation around the NHL for delivering jarring hits that have been filling up highlight reels.

That’s an element of his game that dates back to his time with the University of Michigan Wolverines and prior to that with the U.S. National Team Development Program, but has been even more noticeable this season -- especially with his recent bone cruncher on Calgary Flames centre Nazem Kadri.

“I don’t know if it’s just the way the game’s trending,” said Trouba. “Different type players than there were eight, 10 years ago, you could say. I don’t know. It’s never really something I run around looking for, ever. Just kind of when it presents itself, make the hit. I don’t have an answer for why it’s more frequent, though. Getting better at it? It’s not like I pick when they come. They just kind of come when they come. But yeah, I would say the last couple years it’s been a bit more frequent.”

Trouba was asked how much he was able to learn about the physical side of the game having Byfuglien as a teammate?

“He’s a tough guy to emulate. Nobody can do what that guy did. And just the way he played,” said Trouba. “He was just kind of a presence. That’s something I took from him. Well, not took from him, but saw from him. He was ready for whatever.

“He’s obviously a different stature than I am, a bigger guy. But his attitude towards it, I thought was good. Something I admire. It was his rink, almost. You were playing on his rink.”

Josh Morrissey, a great candidate to be the next captain of the Jets, is happy to see his former defence partner flourishing.

“We spent a lot of time playing together in my first couple years. Although he's only a couple of years older than me, he had a few years on me for sure in the league at the time when I came in. I tried to learn a lot from him,” said Morrissey. “I thought our styles of game really complemented each other well. We had a lot of fun. Obviously, we had some really good teams and won a lot of games and yeah, I just really enjoyed it off the ice, on the ice, playing with him.

“Now, to see him transition here, and be the captain of the team, and obviously the quality of team that they have, and a team that I think perennially is near the top of the league and has a chance to win, I think that's pretty cool. And obviously to do that here in New York, in Madison Square Garden, it's a pretty cool thing to be captain of the Rangers, so I'm just happy for him. I'm obviously sad that we couldn't be partners for a long time but at the same time, I'm happy for him and his family.”

Jets head coach Rick Bowness appreciates the approach Trouba brings to the ice.

“He’s a big hitter. I love the way he plays ...,” said Bowness. “Keep your head up. That’s old-time hockey, man. Your defence better not put any sucker passes into your forwards’ feet. It starts with them. If you’re going to come through the middle of the ice, and he’s on the ice, you better have your head up. That’s the way the game is supposed to be played.

“So there have been some heavy hits I’ve seen him throw, and they’ve all been good hits. That’s today’s NHL. You throw a big heavy hit, and all of a sudden you have to fight. There was a day where your teammates would get after you for being hit like that -- 'get your head up!’ Today’s NHL, he’s throwing good hits -- hard, heavy hits -- so it’s on-ice awareness that we talk a lot about.”

Never shy to take the body or drop the mitts when the situation calls for it, Trouba provided a spark for his group earlier this season, tossing his helmet and yelling at the Rangers bench after a spirited tilt with Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews.

The Rangers responded in the weeks that followed, moving themselves right in the middle of the race for a top spot in the Metropolitan Division with a stretch that recently included a 10-game point streak.

“I don’t know if it’s sparking, but you want to play the right way. That’s a part of it,” said Trouba. “Not necessarily something you’re thinking about when playing. You just want to do the right thing and try to win hockey games. That kind of all falls on each other. The leadership aspect, what you do and how you handle things and how you react. I think that all kind of mixes together. That’s what creates the atmosphere.”

Being named captain this past summer was something Trouba took an enormous amount of pride in. On Monday, he paid homage to some of the Jets leadership group from his time with the organization, including Andrew Ladd, Byfuglien and Blake Wheeler.

“It was definitely special. It was probably something I’ve dreamed about, I would say. Something I’ve tried to improve at all the time,” said Trouba. “I think that’s something I learned a heck of a lot from Winnipeg, watching those guys. You pick up things you like. Things you would maybe do differently, (you) see how people react.

“I stayed in touch with Blake a lot and talk to him about leadership stuff. He’s been a great help to me. Not even hockey-wise, but life-wise. I spend a lot of time with him and his wife (Sam) in Florida, and my wife (Kelly).

"All the hockey stuff was great, but the stuff I’ve learned from him, as a husband and a father, how he treats people, how he treats family. That’s more the stuff that stuck with me. That’s important. That’s kind of who he is as a character, who he is as a guy. He’s a very competitive person, but there’s a lot more that goes into this than hockey. That’s something I really learned from him. He still has a big impact on me and my life.”

Trouba also showed his self-deprecating sense of humour when asked what additional media responsibilities have come with wearing the C.

“Not really. After losses (maybe there are more requests). Usually they want to talk to the good guys after wins,” quipped Trouba. “No, not a lot. Things probably fall on your plate that you have to handle, but that’s kind of how it was for me growing up with older guys handling all that stuff. You want to kind of let the young guys play hockey and not worry about too much.

“I’m considered an old guy now I guess, so you can handle the situations and manage the locker-room. That’s an important part of a team, an important part of being a hockey player. I think it’s important for young guys to know not everything is on their plate. Just go out and play hockey and be a part of the team.”