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 Barons rookie Marcel Goc familiar
with challenges
Making North American debut at age
20
1/14/04 - by Craig Haueter
Ever
since Marcel Goc participated in his first organized game at age 4 or 5, he is
used to playing against older, larger players. Raised in a hockey family in the
tiny German town of Calv, Goc (pronounced Gotch) has developed into one of the
players Germany pins its hockey future on, as they have historically had
trouble developing domestic talent. Goc’s hard work and determination
culminated in San Jose selecting him in the first round (20th pick overall) of
the 2001 NHL draft. He became the highest-drafted German player edging out
fellow Shark Marco Sturm (21st selection in the 1996 draft).
Idolizing
Wayne Gretzky growing up, Goc was surrounded with a father who coaches amateur
hockey in Germany as well as two brothers who play the game. Older brother,
Sascha, was drafted by New Jersey back in 1997 as a defenseman and spent four
seasons in North America including 22 NHL games with the Devils and Tampa Bay
before returning to play in Germany. Younger brother, Nicolai, is 17 and
currently playing in Germany as well.
In 1999, Goc literally was a boy
playing against men as he signed at age 16 to play for Schwenningen in the
German Elite League. He played the entire season on the third and fourth lines
tallying a goal and four assists in 62 games. The following season, Goc
elevated his game to one of the best players in the DEL recording 13 goals and
28 assists in 58 games. San Jose would draft Goc in June of 2001 but Goc chose
to continue honing his game in the DEL for two additional seasons. This past
summer, Goc finally signed with San Jose and launched his North American hockey
career with the Cleveland Barons in October.
Goc brings a wealth of
international tournament experience to Cleveland having played in two World
Under-18 Championships, two IIHF World Championships and captained Team Germany
in the IIHF World Jr. Hockey Championship played in Canada. Goc displays an
amazing maturity on the ice and a well-rounded game. Although not known for
blueline to blueline speed, Goc is very quick on his skates. Goc is an
excellent passer and also surprisingly strong in the corners although not a big
player.
Goc’s goal production in Cleveland has been slow thus far.
Goc did not register his first AHL goal until December 13th against Manitoba.
He has however chipped in with 11 assists thus far in 32 games and his
plus/minus rating is dead even. San Jose fully expects Goc to make it to the
NHL in time. For now, he will work on his body strength and keep playing the
game he loves. The challenges he faces in the AHL are familiar to what Goc has
gone through since he started putting skates on at a very early age—older
and larger players are nothing new for Goc.
Marcel Goc vital
statistics
Barons jersey #57
Ht: 6’1”, Wt. 190 Lbs.
Pos: Center
Shoots: Left
Date of birth: 8/24/83
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