Little did Owen Nolan know back on Jan. 9 that he was in for a rough night.

Early in the first period, the Sharks' veteran captain slammed young Blues defenseman Barret Jackman into the boards and added an additional slash as an exclamation point. Gloves were dropped, punches were traded, penalties were called -- five apiece for fighting, two more for Nolan and his extra punctuation. On the ensuing power play, the Blues tied the game.

	It looks like Nolan got the best of Jackman. Turns out, the Blues got the best of the Sharks on the scoreboard.

A period later, Nolan and Jackman went off again, this time for a slashing incident. But Nolan wanted to show the rook how things in the NHL are done. Just minutes after the penalties expired, Nolan and Sharks grinder Scott Thornton sandwiched Jackman behind the Blues net and peppered him with three punches to the kisser. Jackman did nothing, and both Sharks were sent to the box with roughing penalties. The Blues scored on the ensuing five-on-three power play, taking a lead they wouldn't relinquish.

The final: Blues, 4-1.

The mental victory: Jackman.

Said Nolan: "He got the better of me."

For years, coaches and scouts talked about Jackman's poise and leadership skills, dubbing him a future NHL captain. He was mature. He was direct. He was self-assured, but never cocky. He stared you down when he spoke and shook your hand like he meant it. At 17, the Regina Pats made him the youngest captain in their 87-year history, and his demeanor overshadowed his skill on the ice. In four years as a Pat, he had 139 points and 796 penalty minutes. Last year, his first in the professional ranks as a member of the Worcester IceCats, he was named the the American Hockey League's All-Rookie Team.

The Blues, who took Jackman 17th overall in the 1999 draft, may have found what they've been missing since Scott Stevens left in 1991 -- an all-snarl, hard-checking, unflappable defenseman who could, given the opportunity, lead bugs into a zapper.

"I wish I could say that yes, we expected him to be this good this quickly, but we didn't," said Blues general manager Larry Pleau. "Sure, he had a real good year last year in Worcester, but that's no guarantee. He was very well prepared. You don't see a lot of defensemen at 21 who are as poised as he is. It's a tough position at such a young age, there are so many different situations you have to be aware of. But he has a high level of confidence and he plays a very assertive game. He's a strong kid, both mentally and physically."

Strong enough, it seems, to carry the Blues through the extended absence of future Hall of Fame defenseman Chris Pronger, who tore his ACL in Game 4 of last year's conference semifinals against Detroit and opened the door for the precocious Jackman, who took Pronger's spot in Game 5.

After playing only one career NHL game, Jackman logged more than 18 minutes of ice time that night and bailed out partner Al MacInnis by sliding to block a shot after MacInnis turned the puck over in the slot.

"Barret Jackman was our best player," said Blues head coach Joel Quenneville after the game. "Hats off to him to play like that in his first playoff game."

	“	There are tough guys that play and players who are tough guys. It makes a big statement when you can play and you're tough. And that's him. He just knows how the game is played. ”
		— Scott Mellanby, Blues winger

After Game 5, Jackman had seen the last of the AHL.

With Pronger out for perhaps the season while recovering from wrist surgeries, Jackman has forged a place among the Blues' top-four defensemen. Through 52 games this season, Jackman has three goals and eight assists for 11 points -- numbers that aren't flashy and don't exactly scream Calder Trophy. But listen closely and you'll hear the Calder whispers: He's averaging almost 19 minutes of ice time and is a plus-12, which leads rookies at his position. He also kills penalties. And he's managed to rack up 117 penalty minutes (more than even Blues' enforcer Reed Low) without scrimping on defense.

"There are tough guys that play and players who are tough guys," said right winger Scott Mellanby. "It makes a big statement when you can play and you're tough. And that's him. He just knows how the game is played."

Of course, it's comforting to glance over at his partner on his right side and see 22-year veteran and 11-time All-Star MacInnis. The vet and the rook complement and feed off of each other. Jackman gives MacInnis the room to make the nifty passes that he specializes in by swatting the flies off of his back, and MacInnis is there to clean up if Jackman should ever show his youth and cough up the puck at and inopportune time (yes, MacInnis will return the favor).

"He's very sound defensively in his own zone. He always seems to be in good position. His stick is always in the passing lanes. He always tries to make the smart play," said MacInnis. "He's 21 going on 35. He's just got a way about him. It's the way he carries himself. He respects the game. He respects the older players."

Owen Nolan may disagree

The Magazine's Lindsay Berra can be e-mailed at lindsay.berra@espnmag.com.