Drew Otten was browsing the Internet the other night when he decided to visit the United Hockey League Web site.

 

Looking at the team rosters from a year ago puzzled the 26-year-old.

 

"I still don't know how we lost with all that talent," the hard-nosed, hard-hitting forward said Wednesday after signing for a second year with the Quad-City Mallards.

 

But, truthfully, Otten does know why the Mallards were swept out of the playoffs by Muskegon.

 

There weren't enough players who were willing to throw their bodies around, sacrifice and play two-way hockey. There weren't enough players like Otten.

 

"We didn't have enough guys who were willing to lay it on the line," said Otten, who had 11 goals and 20 assists in 71 games as a rookie. "We had a lot of guys who were scared of getting hit, and guys not being willing to take a hit. Guys weren't on the same page as coach (Paul Gillis) and Howard (Cornfield, Mallards president). We had a lot of individuals who wanted to play their own game instead of the team's game."

 

With one year of professional hockey under his belt, Otten says he's ready to step up and be a leader, perhaps even the leader.

 

Otten has spent this summer working out and lifting to help improve his offense.

 

He wants to score at least 20 goals this year.

 

He wants to improve his checking, and he wants to play on the power play.

 

"I played a power play here and there last year," Otten said. "I'll take a beating all day long if I can sit in front of the net on the power play and work to deflect pucks."

 

More than all those things, Otten wants to make the Mallards better by making himself and the skaters around him better.

 

Otten talks like it's going to happen. He talks like the rest of the Mallards better jump on board.

 

He's only months removed from his rookie season, but Otten  sounds like he's ready to lead the 2004 Mallards, perhaps with a "C" on his chest.