With locks of curly brown hair and a gait of leisure as he strolls through the tunnel beneath the seats at the Colisee, Bobby Gates resembles a stereotypical California surf bum more than a star-caliber hockey player.

The former he isn’t, but the latter? Well, he’s trying like heck to get there.

“He comes to play every night,” said Lewiston Maineiacs coach Clem Jodoin about his 20-year-old defenseman from Cranston, R.I. “His work ethic is good and he gives a solid effort out there all the time.”

Gates started in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League just last season, remaining with the Maineiacs as a 19-year-old rookie in the defensive system of coach Mario Durocher.

“Even at 19 last year, even though I was a little older, I was still a rookie, really,” said Gates. I wasn’t used to the league at all, and now it’s different. Now at 20, the younger players are going to look up to me and I will actually be able to help a little. I know the league a little better and the players on the ice, and I know the systems.”

One year ago, in all 64 games Gates played, he scored no goals and recorded just eight assists despite finishing plus-9 and spending just 41 minutes in the penalty box.

“From what I have been told about last year, he has matured, both on and off the ice,” said Jodoin. “He sees the ice well. He does the little things now a little better, and it shows.”

Already in his 21 games this season (through Sunday), Gates has scored four goals and added two assists for six points, and is even in the plus/minus column. He also has been credited with 14 “good hits,” while all of last season that number climbed to just 17.

“I am definitely more confident this year,” said Gates. “I see the ice better, I know more about who we are playing, and I know how to travel better. I am used to the long hours, I don’t get as tired anymore. I think the second year in general is just easier.”

Evidence of that comes almost every night, as Gates will undoubtedly wind up at least once in his own end and skate nearly the length of the ice with the puck, most of the time getting a shot onto the opposing team’s goaltender.

“He might be Rhode Island’s Bobby Orr if he plays like that all the time,” said Jodoin with a laugh. “He has found something in his game that works, and as long as he remembers that he is defense first, he will continue do better this year. We need that from him, at 20 and as a veteran leader.”

Gates nearly did not make it to Lewiston at all. There were offers on the table from a few NCAA Division I schools, including Quinnipiac University.

“The choice at the time was to concentrate on hockey,” said Gates. “Honestly, this is what I want to do, and I knew I had to follow that dream. Lewiston was the best fit for me at the time.”

And after more than a season and a quarter, Gates still hasn’t changed his mind.

“I wouldn’t trade this for anything, really,” said Gates. “I am very satisfied that I made a good choice. I still go to school now and over the summer, and I get along well with everyone here. I have played with different kinds of people on different teams, and the way I approach things, being a bit more laid back, just makes thing easier. I like it here.”