New York Rangers' Vincent Trocheck Talks Hockey Fights Cancer, Face-offs and Alexis Lafreniere

By MATTHEW MUGNO

Tarrytown, N.Y: Vincent Trocheck is the NHL leader in face-off win percentage, a statistic that has typically been foreign to the New York Rangers organization. 

The "Italian Stallion"  has never posted anything above 56.1% during his career. But two months into the season, Trocheck is currently winning 63.3% of his draws. It's a small — albeit significant — reason why the Rangers are the hottest teams in the NHL right now.

Trocheck, who is in his second year in New York, is off to just as good a start offensively, posting 22 points in 24 games for the 18-5-1 Rangers. 

How is the gritty center growing his toolbox at 30 years old? The answer is simple: "Just trying to get better every year," he told The Hockey News. "Hone in on your craft and pick up on things from different guys that you play with."

One of those new things is a face-off move that Nick Bonino recently taught him. 

"You take a little bit of something from every single centerman that you play with," said Trocheck. "They may do something differently that you might like or dislike. Like (Bonino), he flips his stick over in the opposite hand. So that's one thing I've tried differently."

Trocheck began the season as the club's No. 3 center, a welcome role for a two-way forward. But when Filip Chytil went down with an injury, Trocheck was elevated in the lineup and is now the No. 2 center — a spot he's played the majority of his career.

So far, the change hasn't affected the offense. In 14 games with Trocheck as their centerman, Artemi Panarin and Alexis Lafreniere have combined for 15 goals and 31 points.

"He's obviously a really skilled player and the kind of guy that works really hard too," Trocheck said of Lafreniere, who is enjoying a breakout start to the season with eight goals and 16 points in 24 games. "His passion for the game is something that sets him apart." 

Part of Lafreniere's success has been his heavy forecheck, a facet that separates him from other high-draft selections. 

"He makes the right play but he also does the right things and the little things," said Trocheck. "He gets in on the forecheck and he competes so his game is continuing to grow."

Even with eight years separating the veteran pivot from the budding winger, there is plenty that Trocheck is learning from the 22-year-old. 

"I mean, it's not just him asking us questions," said Trocheck. "I'll ask him [questions] occasionally. As a line, we learn from each other. Sometimes you don't see everything when you're out there and your linemates will see something you didn't. You learn from each other and that's how you gain chemistry habits."  

On November 22nd, the Rangers played the Penguins in the "Steel City". It was a homecoming for Trocheck, who was born in Pittsburgh and had quite the fan support. 

"It's always nice to be home," he said. "Have a day at home and see the family."

On November 27th, the Rangers held its Hockey Fights Cancer night. That morning, Vincent held a card for the team's Instagram page, where he'd write down the names of his grandmother and mother to display. 

"It's something that I care for and it's something that hits every home in the world," said Trocheck. "Everybody knows someone or one person who's gone through the battle. The science has come a long way over the years and all of that comes from the money that's raised for the research that they are doing. It hits close to home. Hopefully, we can continue to make a difference."

And hopefully, for the Rangers, Trocheck can also continue to make a difference — whether it's in the face-off circle or on the scoresheet.