As a natural centerman, Abbott Girduckis relishes his role as a kind of quarterback on the ice for the Toledo Walleye.

Girduckis, a rookie forward who got off to a red-hot start, said he appreciates the added responsibility of the position. A center’s initial job is to win the critical faceoffs, but they also must be equally strong on defense as they are creative on offense.

“I really like playing at center,” the 24-year-old Girduckis said. “It’s my preferred position. You have to be responsible at both ends. I like to be a good, two-way forward.”

Girduckis (pronounced Gurr-duck-ihs) has been one of the team’s top-performing forwards. He ranks fifth on the team in scoring with 24 points in 31 games. A clutch performer, he has 12 goals and 12 assists with just two penalty minutes.

The native of Bellville, Ont., leads all ECHL rookies and ranks second overall in the league with six game-winning goals. He ranks third among first-year players in power-play goals with five.

“He’s such a smart player,” Walleye coach Dan Watson said. “He’s rarely out of position. He does a lot of the little things well.”

Girduckis jumped out of the gate and led the Walleye in scoring by Nov. 23. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound center started his rookie campaign with 21 points (10 G, 11 A) in 18 games.

“I hope to be a threat to produce,” Girduckis said. “But I want to be good defensively as well as contribute on offense. I want to be able to support all over the ice. As a center, you’re not stuck on one side. You’re engaged.”

By Dec. 29, Girduckis had caught the eye of scouts and was called up to Cleveland of the American Hockey League. The rookie had 22 points (10 G, 12 A) in 28 games when he signed a player tryout with the Monsters.

Girduckis spent two weeks with Cleveland before returning last Friday for the Walleye’s three-game homestand sweep last week. On Saturday night, he scored two goals in Toledo’s 4-3 win over rival Fort Wayne, including the game-winning goal.

“You can tell he has a lot of confidence,” Watson said. “He’s a big part of what we want to do.”

The Walleye (24-12-4), who have won four games in a row, have pulled within striking distance of first place in the Central Division, trailing Cincinnati by just six points.

Girduckis has been a key cog in a Walleye offense that is averaging 3.80 goals per game, fourth-most in the league. Girduckis, who is among five Toledo players who have reached double figures in goals scored, missed nine games because of his call-up but still leads the team in game-winners.

“All three forward lines can score goals. We have confidence in the room that we can get the job done no matter what the score is,” Girduckis said. “The balance we have on offense is exciting to have.”

Watson called Girduckis a natural centerman.

“He certainly adds a different element. He’s very talented and provides a lot for us,” Watson said. “There’s a lot of importance to faceoffs. It’s [immediate] puck possession. We value that.”

Girduckis, who plays center along with captain T.J. Hensick, Mark Vela, and Joshua Winquist, said he loves to be the guy at the center dot for faceoffs.

“That’s a really big part of it. It keeps you engaged right from the drop of the puck,” he said. “You have to be the guy to win it.”

Watson first got a good look at the young forward’s skill set when Girduckis appeared in seven games late last year when he had five points (3 G, 2 A). (A rookie in the ECHL is a player who has competed in less than 25 pro games).

Girduckis started his pro career in Toledo after playing four seasons at the Rochester Institute of Technology. Serving as team captain as a senior last season, he had nearly a point per game with 11 goals and 25 assists in 38 games.

Girduckis, who majored in packaging science at RIT, called college some of the best four years of his life.

“The hockey program is up and coming. I got a great education. I had fun with the people on campus,” he said.

Girduckis, who was a candidate for college hockey’s top honor — the Hobey Baker Award, appeared in 146 games in college and had 93 points (30 G, 63 A).

“Abbott showed very well in those seven games with us,” Watson said. “He brings a lot to the ice from the center position.”

In his pro debut with the Walleye on March 29 against Kansas City, Girduckis had a goal and an assist.

“That was a lot of fun. I made the trip down when Watty asked me to come play in some games,” he said. “I did not know what to expect coming to Toledo. I’d never been to a Walleye game. It was awesome. It’s a great rink. It was sold-out all seven of those games. The fans are great, the organization is great. That played a big part in my decision to come back here.”

Girduckis, who appeared in eight games in the AHL but did not record a point, called the experience invaluable.

“It was great. It was good to get my feet wet there. I’ll learn from it and strive to get my game better to get another chance,” he said.

For now, Girduckis said he is looking forward to helping Toledo make a charge up the standings and then a deep run in the Kelly Cup playoffs. The Walleye host Kalamazoo on Friday.

“From the back end out, we’re pretty happy with where we are at,” Girduckis said. “As a team, you see how we react in some situations. We have depth from top to bottom. There are no holes, and that is what you need in the playoffs.”