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National Post

Calder Cup Finals: Who were gritty, grinding 2015 Utica Comets? Where are they now?

Article content For Baertschi, it was the culmination of a season started with requesting a trade from the Calgary Flames that came to fruition in March. He played three games with the Canucks, and was dispatched to Utica, where he racked up 15 points (8-7) in 21 memorable postseason games. Article content Article content 'It had a lot to do with our leadership group,' Baertschi told Postmedia on Monday. 'Guys like Carter Bancks and (captain) Cal O'Reilly. He led with calmness in games, a really determined guy and it led to a lot of success. It was a the way we were built. Article content 'We had a lot of heart-and-soul guys and the right scoring and that's not easy to do in the AHL. We had the combination. You're never going to have that again based on the wide age in guys we had. You always remember good playoff runs. Article content 'It brings out the best. So many guys, who you wouldn't expect, elevated their games. That's hard because playoffs are a different animal and Manchester just had four really solid lines. That's why I'm super proud of those guys I played with. It was a grind. Article content 'Abbotsford is having the same feeling and tasting victories.' Article content Baertschi's history with Green dates back to junior in Portland and he reached out to his former coach before taking the coaching leap. Article content 'He's been a really important person in my life and always been a mentor,' said Baertschi. 'Obviously, coaching is different than a player. I've been in their shoes and can help them mature.' Article content The Winterhawks advanced to the Western Conference final this season before swept by powerhouse Spokane Chiefs. For the 32-year-old Baertschi, it was the right time to pivot to behind the bench and run the power play.. Article content 'It got to the point where I was done as a player and it doesn't matter why or how,' stressed Baertschi. 'I'm happy where I'm at and in a good place in my life. I get to touch the ice every day as a coach, which is the greatest thing, and I can share my experiences.' Article content Article content Article content Hunter Shinkaruk: 24th overall, 2013 NHL Draft, Vancouver, 11 NHL games. Played four games for Cardiff Devils of Elite Hockey League in Britain this season. Article content Jake Virtanen: 6th overall, 2014 NHL Draft, Vancouver, 317 NHL games. Played 46 games this season with Iserlohn Roosters in German pro loop. Six goals. Article content Alexandre Grenier, 90th overall, 2011 NHL Draft, Vancouver, 9 NHL games. Had 42 points (17-25) in 41 games the season with the Cologne Sharks of DEL. Article content Nicklas Jensen, 29th overall pick, 2011 NHL Draft, Vancouver, 31 NHL games. Had 29 points (16-13) in 48 games this season with Rapperswil-Jona (Swiss-A). Article content Alex Friesen, 172nd overall pick, 2010 NHL Draft, Vancouver, 1 NHL game. Had 15 points (6-9) in 38 games this season with Bremerhaven Penguins (DEL). Article content Article content