Would Brandon Convery be playing in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs if Pat Burns was still coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs? Or would he be checking his golf bag for spare tees? "Who knows," says the 22-year-old Convery, the Leafs first pick and eighth overall in the 1992 entry draft. "I just feel very fortunate to be here right now." One of three rookies dressed in the postseason for the blue and white, Convery has spent the bulk of his short pro career with the St. John's Maple Leafs of the American Hockey League. A separated shoulder during training camp last fall dashed any hopes the Kingston, Ontario native might have had of joining the big club right away. "Things were going well, it's too bad," he said. The veteran-laden Leafs had little use under the fired Burns for youngsters -- healthy or otherwise. Mistake-prone, Burns had almost no patience, and even less desire, to groom the Leafs' prospects for the future. So in answer to the original question: no, Convery would not be playing right now. Enter Nick Beverley, the Leafs director of player personnel and pro scouting. Beverley replaced Pat Burns as interim coach in March. Convery had been called up earlier, but suffered a fractured thumb in his second game. Beverley kept Convery in Toronto, however, and the 6-foot-1, 200-pounder has paid dividends, including some key goals. Convery scored the game-winner against Edmonton that clinched the Leafs' playoff spot in the last game of the regular season. "We're counting on our youngsters to fulfil a big role," said Beverley. "For them to gain experience they have to play. And for me to believe in them I have to give them the chance to perform." Forwards Todd Warriner and Mark Kolesar are the other Leafs rookies dressed for the playoffs. Only Warriner has played all season with the big club. Kolesar didn't see postseason action until Game 3 and that was limited, despite scoring a short-handed goal that put the Leafs up 2-0 in the second period. Convery also had limited ice-time in Game 3, a 3-2 overtime loss to St. Louis. "For us to be successful, we have to get some production from some unexpected sources," said Beverley. So far he hasn't. The Leafs have gone with two big lines since late March, using the third and fourth lines as pluggers. But with production down on the second big line, Beverley's hoping the likes of Convery with his soft hands can pot a few along the way. Convery didn't feel he played his best game in his NHL playoff debut. "It was exciting, though it didn't start the way I wanted (a 3-1 loss). I was a little nervous, but it's down to the grind now," he said. Beverley expects all of his players to prepare for games as professionals and shrugs off rookie nervousness and butterflies as a learning experience. "They have to learn how to handle it. It's all part of experience." Now if Convery can bend some twine before it's too late, he may experience some postseason on-ice highs, rather than a nifty birdie on the back nine.

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Convery may be returning to Crunch

Centre Brandon Convery, who gave the Syracuse Crunch only a glimpse of his talent last season, could be headed for an extended stay with the team this year. In a surprising move, the Vancouver Canucks have placed Convery on waivers. If another NHL team does not claim him by noon today, Convery can be sent to the Crunch. Convery has skated in 12 of Vancouver's 16 games, collecting nine points (two goals, seven assists). But Canucks coach Mike Keenan told the Vancouver Sun that Convery has to be more consistent to remain a second-line center. Keenan doubted Convery's ability to check well enough to fit on a third line. The Canucks also want to find more time for rookies Josh Holden and Peter Schaefer, each of whom was recalled from Syracuse earlier this season. Convery, who reported to Canucks camp 10 pounds heavier and in better condition than last season, was upset about the possible demotion and refused to say whether he'd report to Syracuse. "Consistency, I almost had a point per game. C'mon," Convery said. "It doesn't make sense. I'm disappointed, sure you're mad. The bottom line is I produced when I played." (I didn't read that quote until waaay after I pointed that out to everyone!! My thoughts exactly!) Syracuse is shy on experience at center - Robb Gordon is the only veteran at that position. Matt Cooke and Alexei Kolkunov are AHL rookies. So is Martin Sonnenberg, who sometimes slides over from left wing. Sean O'Brien and Darren Sinclair are experienced, but they, too, are left wingers who are occasionally moved over to the middle. --Thursday, November 19, 1998