He's shooting every time because he's hot. Willis has been hot lately, but he was absolutely nuclear against Atlanta. He was also named the first star in Carolina's 5-4 win against Boston on Feb. 18. As of Feb. 19, Willis ranked in the top three among rookies in six different offensive categories, and his four assists against the Islanders on Jan. 8 netted him the franchise record for assists in a game by a rookie. Through Wednesday Willis had 34 points on the season, the sixth-best total on the team.
Confidence is such a huge part of the game.
Even Willis, who admitted that he longed to wear a Hurricanes' sweater since the day he was drafted, now concedes that he is much more capable of dealing with the rigors of an NHL season than he was last year. And even with two years of toiling in the minors under his belt, he says that this season has been a learning experience. I took those games out to reflect and refocus, and since then I've played a lot better. Hurricanes captain Ron Francis, a 20-year veteran, said that Willis was describing what just about every rookie endures the first time he plays a full NHL season. It's not easy for the young guys.