Domi preparing Belak for his role
January 31, 2003
LANCE HORNBY
Toronto Sun

ATLANTA -- After almost 10 years as the Maple Leafs' policeman, Tie Domi has officially deputized Wade Belak his eventual successor.

Though there's plenty of fight left in the 33-year-old Domi, he has reached his goal of being a regular with close to double-digit minutes in ice time per night. That has coincided with a more selective dance card where fighting is concerned, while Belak gradually took on the majority of opposing heavyweights through January.

Following Belak's decision over Jesse Boulerice of the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday, a turning point in the Leafs' 3-2 win, Domi revealed he has tutored Belak on some closely guarded trade secrets so the defenceman can eventually inherit the role.

"I wouldn't be teaching him this stuff if I didn't want him to," said Domi, the most penalized Leaf in club history. "Hell, I haven't had help (doing the dirty work) in flippin' 10 years here. He's willing and I love it.

"I told him it's an opportunity to become king of the castle. He's getting better and better (at handling himself) and he's playing more at the same time. It's giving him more space to play with the puck. You make a reputation for yourself, then guys don't run you and you get more time to focus on playing."

Belak was ready to step in had Domi signed elsewhere as a free agent last summer. He was frustrated at his lack of playing time early in this year, but his ability to play defence and right wing, plus general manager/coach Pat Quinn's growing concern that his team is being roughed up, led to a regular role this month.

The 6-foot-5 Belak chose his words carefully when told of Domi's endorsement.

"I don't think it's a changing of the guard, it's just something that evolved," Belak said. "Maybe it will be if Tie retires some day and I'm still here. I don't want to say Tie's old, but he's a great player who has improved his game over the years and he's more valuable to us on the ice than in the penalty box.

"But if something happens where he has to step up and fight, he'll do it. I just don't think he'll go out and look for it as much, especially with young guys coming up who want to challenge him. That's where I can step in. I'm a young guy (26) and he's proven himself. It will be a nice break for him."

Belak says his increased ice time has been a confidence booster, both as player and pugilist.

"If I do get into a fight, it's only five minutes off, not like I'm playing fourth line and (wasting) my two minutes a game," he said. "I still wind up with 12-13 minutes."

"I've been trying to help him as much as I can and it's really paying off," Domi said. "He's doing everything I told him. He used to stand straight (and vulnerable), now he's (moving) and locking guys (with one hand)."