By JASON TARWATER
SportsRadioKC.com

For those wondering if hard work and perseverance truly off, I present exhibit A: Missouri Mavericks center Kyle Bochek.

The youngest member of the Mavericks at 21, he’s also been one of the most unlucky this season – watching more games in a suit than in a hockey jersey because of a myriad of injuries.

But when he does get into the lineup, he makes things happen.

After missing a large part of the season with a shoulder injury, Bochek put in his first goal of the season in his first game back. A couple of games later, Bochek broke his arm, and then hurt his wrist, and has spent even more time on the injured reserve.

Saturday, with the Mavericks in the middle of the playoff hunt in a tight game with Wichita, Bochek found his moment – deflecting a shot off the Wichita goalie for only his second goal of the season, again in his first game back from a long layoff.

“It’s obviously been a long season,” Bochek said. “Every time I get a chance to be out there on the ice, I want to perform my best so I can continue getting more ice time and help out the team. It’s been tough struggling with injuries. Being on the I.R. gives me a lot of time to work on things and they’re transforming into the game.”

Bochek’s efforts have not just helped him rehab from injuries quicker, but have also caught the attention of his coach and teammates, earning the young player quite a bit of respect.

“(It was) a hard-working play down the wall, and as we talk, just try to put it on the net and he put it on from behind the net and found a way in,” Mavs coach Scott Hillman said. “It was a real key one by a guy we are all big fans of. He’s worked real hard for this team all year long.

“He’s got a great attitude, and he works very hard when he is injured to get himself healthy as soon as possible. He’s a young kid. He’s the youngest kid on the team. And we hope to see him in a jersey for a long time. He’s a ‘heart and soul’ kinda guy, and I really believe he’s going to be a great pro.”

And it’s not just his coach who has noticed this effort.Teammates are definitely aware of the work Bochek has put in.

“He’s one of the hardest workers on the team,” defenseman Jared Lavendar said. “It’s great for him to be able to get that goal and get out there and get that playing time. He’s definitely a hard-working kid. He just got in the corner, put it on net, and you never know what’s going to happen. His went in. It was great.”

During conversations with Bochek while he was injured, one could tell how much he was itching to get back on the ice. With the team currently winning eight of its last nine, Bochek would be hard-pressed to find a better time to make an impact with nine games remaining in the regular season.

“Our top two lines are putting the puck in the net regularly,” he said. “We need some secondary scoring from our third and fourth line guys. Anything that we can really do being a third line or a spare on the bench to get those guys some rest and go out there and be responsible is huge for this team.”

Though he’s been able to make instant impacts, Bochek has learned this year that nothing is a given. Several players are starting to return from injuries, including many forwards and goal scorers – such as center Bill Vandermeer. With others playing well and many others returning, playing time could be difficult to find. So Bochek said he knows he has to make the most of opportunities when they come.

“It’s lighting a fire under everybody,” he said. “We know there are guys sitting in the stands coming back, getting healthy. And if we don’t play well, the guys on the ice, there’s someone there to take our spot.”

So when discussing the merits of hard work and perseverance, remember Kyle Bochek. Remember that those things are not just a cliché, but rather necessary tools for success in any field.

And another lesson one could learn from Bochek – it’s never too late in the game, or the season, to make a lasting impression or help your team win.