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Published on: 9/2/2003
Last Visited: 9/2/2003
Ajay Baines was skating in a Blazers uniform this week before heading back to the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League.
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Former Kamloops Blazers captain Ajay Baines actually has a Kelowna Rocket to thank for his burgeoning hockey career.
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After finishing his tenure with the Blazers in 1999, becoming the youngest captain in team history while here, Baines played one year with the North Carolina-based Greenville Grrrowl in the East Coast Hockey League.
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Baines had what he described as a "good first year" with the Admirals, leading to his signing a two-year deal with the Blackhawks. Leadership, as well as ability, followed Baines to Norfolk as he was named captain last season. His contract having expired this year, Baines re-signed with the Blackhawks for another season while in Kamloops this summer. Baines realized a big goal by making it to the AHL but he's still got one more to go. "I'm still not there yet.I still have one more level to get to.You're right there, it's just the last step.You're always trying to challenge yourself and play the best you can." To make the jump to the NHL, Baines says it will be a matter of continuing to fine tune his game. "Preparation is a big thing with me this year.Physically it's one thing but mentally it's another." He has seen a taste of the show, however, getting called up during playoffs in 2001. "I was one of the guys practising with them.It was an awesome experience." But now he wants more. "This year I'm going to be more relaxed.So much of this game is mental.I just want to work hard and control what I can." Having grown up and played most of his career in hockey-mad Kamloops, Baines says leaving town and finding a semblance of anonymity has taken some getting used to.