BRIDGEPORT — One of the most reliable entries in the Bridgeport Sound Tigers’ lineup of late is a forward who spent the second week of the year in the ECHL.

Jeff Kubiak returned, established himself as an AHL player and has played 52 games in his second pro season as a staple for Bridgeport.

“Any time your coaches feel trust in you, it’s something you earn,” Kubiak said. “You’ve got to take it with a grain of salt and keep working really hard. You’ve got to keep going.”

At center or on the wing, killing penalties and occasionally getting to use his 6-foot-3, 212-pound frame in front of the opposing goalie on the power play, Kubiak has gotten more and more trust as the year went on. The year has three games left in the regular season, with the home finale Wednesday against Laval, before the playoffs start next week.

“I think Kubs has grabbed the opportunity,” Bridgeport coach Brent Thompson said. “If you look back at his first year, I thought he felt it out. He wasn’t as engaged physically. His pace wasn’t there last year.

“This year, you get that one year pro, you play in the (ECHL), and now he sees he belongs. He’s way more assertive, way more physical, and his hockey IQ is great.”

Bridgeport has often rotated scratches in the second half of the season, blessed with extra bodies, and has had to scratch two veteran players a night. Kubiak has dressed for the past 10 games in a row, and strange as it sounds, only four other Sound Tigers can say that (five, counting goalie Jeremy Smith).

“You try to earn your spot any way you can. I found some confidence early on, put my foot forward,” Kubiak said. “I want to make sure help the team any way I can.”

To do that, he has worked a lot on his skating.

“Edge work, balance, a lot of stuff I focus on in the offseason,” Kubiak said. “It’s helped me feel better over the course of a long season and perform at a higher level.

“Before practice, some edge work, focusing on staying low when I’m skating. Off (the ice), a lot of movement with my feet and hip mobility. It really opens up your lower body area, makes you more flexible and more efficient.”

That has made the Illinois native a reliable player in all situations, Thompson said, but the work can’t stop there.

“For him to take the next step, he’s going to need another gear,” Thompson said, “and strength. For a big body, like to see him be even stronger. And just play that consistent way. At times through course year, he started get comfortable, wasn’t as aggressive, as consistent as he needs to be.

“If he does that, if he gets a little stronger, the sky’s the limit for him.”