FanPost

Grinding Out a Place: Trevor Cheek’s Potential

Vancouver Giants

Undrafted players are signed for several reasons. Maybe they're seen as a diamond in the rough, or maybe they've shown flashes of talent that management feels are worth taking a risk on. For whatever reason, undrafted players often play an important role in any organization. Each player might become an NHL superstar - admittedly unlikely - or might never make the Show. With undrafted players, there's always an element of doubt but also the chance a superb player will come out of the system. And none of that diminishes the importance of having talented professionals at every level of an organization. If any organization is to succeed, it must have depth as well as star power.

Trevor Cheek is a prospect the Avalanche signed as an undrafted 20 year old from the WHL. He's a depth player, never meant to be an NHL superstar. Cheek was signed by the Avalanche to a three-year ELC in 2013, and he's played the last two years for the Lake Erie Monsters. The final part of Cheek's overage year was spent with the Edmonton Oil Kings, but he also spent time with the basement-dwelling Vancouver Giants and started the season with the Calgary Hitmen.

While it would be difficult to class Cheek as either a diamond in the rough or future NHL superstar, he is a solid checking forward with a lot to contribute to the Avalanche organization. At the junior level, he showed an ability to play a physical game and score goals, but that scoring touch hasn't translated during his time with the Monsters so far. Whether or not that will improve in the last year of his ELC remains a question mark.

There is a reason players who show flashes of talent are also signed to contracts. Very few players are superstars, and every team also needs its share of grinders, fourth-line players, and call ups. To make a successful team, all the parts have to come together. Players drafted in the later rounds or signed as free agents play an important part in rounding out any team's roster.

Trevor Cheek fills roles like call up or grinder for the Avalanche. Smart money says Cheek is a career AHLer, but smart money also says not to try to become a professional hockey player. So what can be expected from Cheek in the coming year? He probably won't see the NHL, barring a complete disaster at the NHL level, but he's still worth taking a look at. A good team is more than its superstar players.

Background

Trevor Cheek went undrafted during his eligible years of 2011 and 2012, but was signed by the Avalanche to a three-year ELC in 2013. Cheek played the role of power forward for the Edmonton Oil Kings during a run to the Ed Chenowyth Cup to end his junior career in 2013. In his overage year, he had 59 points in 60 games played while collecting 57 PIMs. During 15 games played in the 2012-2013 playoffs, Cheek had 16 points, giving him production of slightly better than a point per game in a high-pressure situation. It was this type of performance that earned Cheek his ELC between the first and second rounds of the WHL playoffs.

Admittedly, Cheek's performance in the AHL has been less than thrilling. The 2014-2015 season saw him collect a career high 15 points in 66 games played. While the difference may be in the quality of team - the 2012-2013 Oil Kings were a team designed to make a deep run and try to capture a championship while the Monsters have struggled and missed the playoffs both years Cheek has been there -- Cheek's own history shows an ability to score on a subpar team. The Vancouver Giants finished last in the WHL, and yet Cheek still managed to collect 32 points in 39 games played.

Nothing in Cheek's background explains away his less than stellar performance at an AHL level, but there are some factors give those watching Cheek a reason not to write him off just yet. He's entering the last year of his ELC, and the Avalanche will be given a chance to evaluate his potential and performance over the course of the coming year.

Hunger

The last year of his ELC is an important one for Cheek; he has one last chance to impress the management group of the Avalanche and earn an extension to his contract. Cheek has everything to play for and absolutely nothing to lose. The skill he showed playing a variety of roles during the last season for the Monsters needs to be focused solely on earning a chance to prove his worthiness to the Avalanche organization. If Cheek's junior history is repeated, he should have a much stronger year with more to show for his efforts. Cheek's overage year, where he had the opportunity to earn a contract, was highlighted by his best performances and career highs in goals and assists.

Cheek is not necessarily required to put points up to secure his place among the Avalanche. However, that doesn't mean Cheek is unable to put up points, and it will certainly be interesting to see if any of the flashes of goal scoring Cheek showed in his junior career materialize in the coming year. More likely, Cheek's ability to play a consistent checking-line role will likely be a larger factor in if he continues with the Avalanche. If Cheek continues to be a smart, consistent two-way player on the Farm, it may earn him another contract despite low-point production.

Cheek is obviously able to put in the effort to earn a contract. He did so in his overage junior year, and it will be interesting to see if he manages career highs in the AHL while chasing a contract extension or renewal. Some players play best with their backs to a wall or in big-game situations, and Cheek is admittedly one of those.

Toughness

Cheek can be classed as a powerful forward. At six feet tall and 198 lbs, Cheek is unafraid to go after pucks in the corners or play a defensively minded checking-line role. His versatility and lack of fear makes him a useful bottom-six player while still allowing for Cheek room to grow. He is capable of moving up into the first two lines as required. Cheek is also able to score goals, though this has happened less at the AHL level. Being a strong net-front presence is something Cheek will have to work on, but seems to be part of his plan to become more consistent.

Cheek is able to play the role of energy player, able to come off the bench and add some forward momentum to a tired team. This is the position he would likely slot into if he were ever to play in the NHL. Not afraid to fight when it's required, Cheek doesn't often use fighting as a way to create energy. He's more likely to rely on physical play that creates opportunities for those on his team that are known for point production than to attempt to create points himself.

A lack of production is to be expected when Cheek's role is mainly to create energy and opportunities for other players to score and collect points. However, his almost doubled point production between his rookie and second seasons in the AHL gives those watching reason to hope that he'll also be adding energy though scoring opportunities and putting the puck in the back of the net in the coming season.

Team Player

Cheek is a team player. He is able to fill many roles the team requires of him and does so capably. Unfortunately, this means Cheek doesn't shine in any one particular area but is competent in many. Cheek is a reliable player for coaches and teammates, one of those steady players where there are few unknown quantities. He excels at being what the team needs for him to be. He will step up and give everything possible to his team, which is refreshing to see.

In fact, Cheek's dedication to his former teams continues even past his time with them. Cheek has been a vocal supporter of the Edmonton Oil Kings since his graduation from the WHL. Dedication to the team is a good barometer for how willing to sacrifice for a team a player is, and Cheek clearly values time with his teammates and organization.

An example of the value Cheek places on being a part of the team is found in how Cheek conducted himself during his last WHL series in 2013. Hurt in the Conference Finals, Cheek was unable to play in the Championship series against the Portland Winterhawks. It was, however, important to him to be with his team during the series. The Oil Kings received a special dispensation to allow Cheek behind the bench for the series so he could be with his teammates no matter what happened. His dedication to those with which he plays is one of Cheek's more redeeming qualities.

Conclusion

Trevor Cheek isn't going to be a superstar. Fortunately for Cheek, organizations also require players who can play multiple roles and can be relied on to fill gaps when they occur throughout the season. Trevor Cheek fits into the gaps left by superstars well.

The coming year, the last of his current contract, will be telling in that it should force Cheek to find another gear offensively while continuing to be a strong two-way player. The Avalanche obviously like what they see in Cheek's game as he made it through to the second set of cuts before being set to Lake Erie from training camp.

Cheek's NHL level future is that of a fourth-line player at best. He is still able to contribute to the Avalanche organization, helping to build a strong AHL team and a winning culture that can be brought to the NHL by prospects coming from the AHL. Just because Cheek doesn't have the potential of some of the other prospects doesn't diminish his worth to an organization attempting to put together a winning team on more than one level. Cheek is a versatile and a team player; the importance of both of those attributes should be underestimated. They are what makes Cheek valuable to the Avalanche and will inform his future.

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