Crescenzi, Quailer talk AHL east/west differences

The Los Angeles Kings recently added several big bodies to the organization in trades that provided a pair of new faces to the Manchester Monarchs.

Though he didn’t play against Providence and won’t play today against Albany, 6-foot-5 Andrew Crescenzi is a two-way center with 200-foot smarts. He hasn’t registered a point in five games with the Monarchs, but his value won’t necessarily be judged by the number of times he finds the back of the net. In 32 games with AHL-Toronto this season, the former Kitchener Ranger posted two points (1-1=2).

“I try to play a strong, two-way game, do little things that don’t really get noticed on the score sheet and try to be defensively strong and do well on the PK,” said Crescenzi, a non-drafted free agent signed by the Maple Leafs in 2010.

Los Angeles has a roster that relies heavily on forwards with high levels of defensive awareness, and Crescenzi called the union of the organization’s values and his own skill set “encouraging.” Joining the organization in the January 22 trade that sent Brandon Kozun to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Crescenzi acknowledged that the trade didn’t exactly take him by surprise.

“It wasn’t really working out in Toronto, so I kind of knew something was happening, but I didn’t know what team, [and] I didn’t know when,” he said. “But I’m glad L.A. got me.”

Similar to Crescenzi, Steve Quailer, acquired Thursday from the Montreal Canadiens for Robert Czarnik, is encouraged by the change of scenery.

“I knew something was going on, and I’m really happy about it,” Quailer, a 2008 third round pick, said. “It just wasn’t working out with them, just with the big club and the AHL team. This is huge for me to be able to come over here.”

The 6-foot-4 winger recorded five points (1-4=5) in 12 games with AHL-Hamilton and was greeted on his first day with the Monarchs by a heavy conditioning skate after that night’s lineup left the ice. He won’t play this afternoon.

“It wasn’t bad. Nothing crazy,” he said of the skate.

Still in the process of acquainting himself with his new teammates, a comparison of the league’s two conferences was shared with him. It sounded representative of nuances between the NHL’s Eastern and Western Conferences.

“From what the boys were saying, it’s a lot faster, a lot more skilled,” Quailer said of the Eastern Conference. “So I guess I’ve got to get in shape, huh?”

Crescenzi, also previously a member of the Western Conference, spoke with Quailer and agreed.

“We both said it’s faster,” he said. “Guys are smaller and more skilled here, compared to over there where it was more of a grinding game. But we’re getting used to it, adjusting, and it’s going well so far.”

Andrew Crescenzi, on his first three weeks with the Monarchs:
It’s good. It’s been a little adjustment coming from Toronto and a different conference, but I’m getting used to it. The guys were very welcoming, and I like it here.

Crescenzi, on the message from the Monarchs’ hockey operations:
Just pretty much play your game. There’s a reason why I got traded here. It’s a new opportunity. I think they like what I bring to the table, and I’ve just got to keep playing that way, keep playing simple, and just do what I can to help the team win.

Crescenzi, on his style of play fitting with Los Angeles-type forwards:
It’s encouraging. It’s my type of game, so I’ve just got to keep working and hopefully if I work hard enough and play well enough, hopefully I’ll get a shot one day. That’s ultimately the goal here.

Quailer, on having played against several of his current teammates:
Yeah, actyualy I knew a couple guys. The hockey world is a small world, They all know somebody. It’s not bad

Quailer, on his first day with his new team:
It’s good. It’s exciting. It’s a little nervewracking. The ice was pretty…sticky out there.

Quailer, on any message from the Monarchs’ hockey operations:
Just work. Work your [tail] off. Work hard.

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