Click below to Lisen to Rich Winters Interview On the 'Dream'!
http://soundcloud.com/minor_hockey_talk/minor-hockey-talk-nhl-should
Showing posts with label prospects. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prospects. Show all posts
Sunday, 21 October 2012
Wednesday, 27 June 2012
So, You Didn't Get Drafted
Here is some GREAT advice by Ross Mclean. I met Ross in Finland! Great hockey mind and straight shooter. Every player should read this!! Click Here!
Troy Bourke - 3rd Round to Colorado
Here is the audio conversation with Troy Bourke of the Prince George Cougars talking about being drafted! Click Here!
Wednesday, 13 June 2012
Troy Bourke - 2012 Draft Prospect
Here is fantastic article on Troy Bourke. He is the smartest player I have coached! He is highly intelligent with a great skill set! Good luck Troy in the draft!
Here is the article!
Here is the article!
Wednesday, 30 May 2012
Dumba primed for Draft Combine
I coached Matt both at the U16 Challenge Cup and Team Pacific. He is a natural leader. As the picture above states, wearing the "C" for your country is not small feat! Matt has 'Pro' written all over him. He reminds me of a Scott Stevens type of player. Good luck Matt!!
It’s one of the last events Mathew Dumba will experience in his draft year, and it could be one of the most exhausting.
Before Dumba will hear his name called on the first day of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, he’ll be poked, prodded and pinched by 30 potential suitors at the Draft Combine next week.
Though it goes without saying the Calgary, AB. product hasn’t experienced anything like what he’ll face from May 28th to June 2nd, that doesn’t mean the Red Deer Rebels defenseman hasn’t done his homework on what to expect.
“I talked to Pets (Alex Petrovic) about it,” Dumba said. “He’s a strong guy and trains hard so he gave me the low-down about it and said I’d be fine with my training and everything I do.”
But bench presses, vertical jumps, long jumps, bench presses, VO2 Max (aerobic) and Wingate (anaerobic) tests are just one component to the process. While teams are pushing prospects to their physical limit, the combine – now in its 19th year – will leave this year’s draft class mentally exhausted as well.
That process, which can have players scheduled for upwards of 15 face-to-face consultations in a day, can leave a player weary. The nature of some of the questions posed by NHL clubs will keep Dumba sharp, though.
“(Petrovic) has told me some weird ones,” he said. “A couple teams threw some curveballs at him. I’m not too worried about it.”
Canada’s captain from both the 2011 Ivan Hlinka Memorial and 2012 World Under-18 Championship is ready to tackle anything thrown at him.
For instance, would Dumba rather have a long, prosperous career as a sixth defender or instead prefer to be an elite blueliner for a quarter of that time?
“I think you ought to be the sixth defenseman,” Dumba said. “I think 10, 12 years in the show, that’s the dream – to play and have a long career in the NHL. A lot of guys, sixth defensemen, you can make a living making that first pass and staying at home, or be the guy on the power play. Guys make careers out of that. I think I’d have to take that.”
Dumba can expect even more difficult questions in what will be an exhausting experience – both mentally and physically – as he enters the final stages as a draft eligible prospect.
Friday, 9 March 2012
Great Article on College Hockey Experience!
By John Lachmann
Kypostsports@yahoo.com
OXFORD, Ohio – Enrico Blasi was disappointed when current Detroit Red Wings defenseman Brendan Smith chose to play hockey at the University of Wisconsin instead of Miami.
But the relationship the RedHawks’ coach built with the Smith family paid dividends when the youngest brother – Reilly – picked his college.
The Mimico, Ontario, native decided to come to Miami instead of following his older brother, and he has been terrorizing opponents’ goalies since.
“When the brother chose to go to Wisconsin it was pretty disappointing for all of us,” Blasi said. “But we had an opportunity to get Reilly and we were obviously extremely excited that he chose Miami, and he’s developed into not only a pretty good player but a very mature young man off and on the ice.”
Smith played in a bantam tournament here and fell in love with the school and the city.
“It was really everything,” Smith said. “I love the culture, I love the fan base, I love the atmosphere that fuels the hockey team.”
Mimico is a small Toronto suburb that is the hometown of Brendan Shanahan, and Smith’s house is two blocks from where current Blackhawks forward Dave Bolland grew up.
Smith learned to skate by age four, and he began playing organized hockey shortly after. His father made the decision that he would play hockey his first year, but it was Smith’s choice each subsequent season.
Smith grew up surrounded by athletes. His oldest brother, Rory, played pro hockey briefly before pursuing a career in the National Lacrosse League. He currently plays for the Colorado Mammoth and was named to this season’s West All-Star Team, leading the NLL in forced turnovers.
Their father, Lester, was a gifted basketball player who was the captain of his college team.
Reilly also considered a career in lacrosse, and his first season of juniors at St. Michael’s may have pushed him further in that direction. He was scratched for all but 13 games, and he finished with two goals and seven assists.
However, that season holds special meaning for Smith. All three Smith boys played for St. Michael’s, but 2007-08 was the only time Reilly was teammates with one of his brothers, as he joined Rory for that campaign.
“That was great being able to play with one of (my brothers) because I’ve never played in an organized league with them before,” Smith said. “With it being my first year in the league and him being a veteran in the league really helped the transition for me.”
Smith hit his offensive stride the following season, notching 27 goals and 48 assists in 49 games for St. Michael’s in 2008-09, and he was drafted in the third round by the Dallas Stars, a team he rooted for growing up, the following summer.
In a move that bucked traditional Ontario thinking, Smith chose the U.S. college route over Canadian junior hockey.
“If I went major junior they’d probably work on just the offensive aspects (of my game),” Smith said. “That’s one reason why I wanted to come to college and more specifically Miami because of the style of game that we play.”
Wisconsin was a school Smith strongly considered, but he would not have been able to join the team right away and Miami had a spot open for him immediately.
“(Wisconsin) was one of the front runners in my decision to go the college route,” Smith said. “I was recruited pretty heavily by Wisconsin, and talking to my brother, he didn’t think he was going to stay all four years there, and I think they only had a spot open for 2010. So if I was going to go there I wouldn’t have been able to play with him. And I wanted to come to Miami anyway, so it worked out perfectly I think.”
Smith came to Miami in the fall of 2009, just months after the RedHawks’ loss to Boston University in the national championship game.
“The expectations were through the roof,” Smith said. “Even though (Miami) lost in that championship game, it probably worked out for the better in the last few years because it’s given us a constant drive to work for something, with that one goal that we haven’t reached.”
Once in Oxford, Smith met fellow Canadian forward Curtis McKenzie, who was also a freshman Stars’ draftee.
Kypostsports@yahoo.com
OXFORD, Ohio – Enrico Blasi was disappointed when current Detroit Red Wings defenseman Brendan Smith chose to play hockey at the University of Wisconsin instead of Miami.
But the relationship the RedHawks’ coach built with the Smith family paid dividends when the youngest brother – Reilly – picked his college.
The Mimico, Ontario, native decided to come to Miami instead of following his older brother, and he has been terrorizing opponents’ goalies since.
“When the brother chose to go to Wisconsin it was pretty disappointing for all of us,” Blasi said. “But we had an opportunity to get Reilly and we were obviously extremely excited that he chose Miami, and he’s developed into not only a pretty good player but a very mature young man off and on the ice.”
Smith played in a bantam tournament here and fell in love with the school and the city.
“It was really everything,” Smith said. “I love the culture, I love the fan base, I love the atmosphere that fuels the hockey team.”
Mimico is a small Toronto suburb that is the hometown of Brendan Shanahan, and Smith’s house is two blocks from where current Blackhawks forward Dave Bolland grew up.
Smith learned to skate by age four, and he began playing organized hockey shortly after. His father made the decision that he would play hockey his first year, but it was Smith’s choice each subsequent season.
Smith grew up surrounded by athletes. His oldest brother, Rory, played pro hockey briefly before pursuing a career in the National Lacrosse League. He currently plays for the Colorado Mammoth and was named to this season’s West All-Star Team, leading the NLL in forced turnovers.
Their father, Lester, was a gifted basketball player who was the captain of his college team.
Reilly also considered a career in lacrosse, and his first season of juniors at St. Michael’s may have pushed him further in that direction. He was scratched for all but 13 games, and he finished with two goals and seven assists.
However, that season holds special meaning for Smith. All three Smith boys played for St. Michael’s, but 2007-08 was the only time Reilly was teammates with one of his brothers, as he joined Rory for that campaign.
“That was great being able to play with one of (my brothers) because I’ve never played in an organized league with them before,” Smith said. “With it being my first year in the league and him being a veteran in the league really helped the transition for me.”
Smith hit his offensive stride the following season, notching 27 goals and 48 assists in 49 games for St. Michael’s in 2008-09, and he was drafted in the third round by the Dallas Stars, a team he rooted for growing up, the following summer.
In a move that bucked traditional Ontario thinking, Smith chose the U.S. college route over Canadian junior hockey.
“If I went major junior they’d probably work on just the offensive aspects (of my game),” Smith said. “That’s one reason why I wanted to come to college and more specifically Miami because of the style of game that we play.”
Wisconsin was a school Smith strongly considered, but he would not have been able to join the team right away and Miami had a spot open for him immediately.
“(Wisconsin) was one of the front runners in my decision to go the college route,” Smith said. “I was recruited pretty heavily by Wisconsin, and talking to my brother, he didn’t think he was going to stay all four years there, and I think they only had a spot open for 2010. So if I was going to go there I wouldn’t have been able to play with him. And I wanted to come to Miami anyway, so it worked out perfectly I think.”
Smith came to Miami in the fall of 2009, just months after the RedHawks’ loss to Boston University in the national championship game.
“The expectations were through the roof,” Smith said. “Even though (Miami) lost in that championship game, it probably worked out for the better in the last few years because it’s given us a constant drive to work for something, with that one goal that we haven’t reached.”
Once in Oxford, Smith met fellow Canadian forward Curtis McKenzie, who was also a freshman Stars’ draftee.
Wednesday, 7 March 2012
EVERETT SILVERTIPS: Michael Zipp Signs with Everett Silver Tips
I coached Mike in the U-16 Western Challenge Cup were he won Gold! Very smart two way deman and has a very bright future in the game! Congrats Mike!
EVERETT, WA – The Everett Silvertips today announced the signing of defenseman and 2011 WHL draft pick Michael Zipp to a Western Hockey League Educational Contract. With his midget season complete, Zipp is currently in Everett practicing and working out with his future Silvertips teammates.
Zipp, 15, was Everett’s fourth round selection (#73 overall) in last year’s WHL Bantam Draft. The Edmonton, Alberta native spent this season playing AAA major midget hockey with the Edmonton Canadians Athletic Club. He played in 32 games with the Canadians this season, recording eight assists and 32 penalty minutes for the year.
Last season the 5’11” defender had 25 points (5g/20a) and 46 penalty minutes in 33 games with Edmonton’s AAA Bantam team. He also appeared in five games with the Canadians’ minor midget club and played four games for the Edmonton North Oilers during last year’s Alberta Cup Tournament.
“We’re definitely excited to get Michael signed,” said General Manager Garry Davidson. “He’s certainly in our plans as we go forward with the future of our hockey team. He has a good feel and sense for the game, and he’s a good decision-maker out there on the ice. We fully expect him to blossom into a very solid WHL defenseman for us.”
The WHL Scholarship not only encourages its graduates to pursue a post-secondary education, but also affords them the opportunity to continue playing hockey at an elite level in the Canadian University or College systems. For every season a player spends in the WHL, he receives a full year guaranteed Scholarship to a higher education institution. Each year over 300 WHL graduates attend a university or college on a WHL Scholarship.
Winners of three of their past four games, the ‘Tips are set to complete their home schedule this week with three home games. Everett hosts the Victoria Royals with a chance to move into seventh place in the WHL’s Western Conference tomorrow at 7:05 pm before facing Portland Friday and Victoria again on Saturday in the home finale. The ‘Tips will then finish the regular season with their last four contests coming on the road.
Silvertips group tickets and flex ticket packages can be purchased in person at the team office inside at Comcast Arena or by phone at 425-252-5100. Single game tickets are on sale by phone (866-332-8499), online (www.comcastarenaeverett.com) or at the Comcast Arena box office.
EVERETT, WA – The Everett Silvertips today announced the signing of defenseman and 2011 WHL draft pick Michael Zipp to a Western Hockey League Educational Contract. With his midget season complete, Zipp is currently in Everett practicing and working out with his future Silvertips teammates.
Zipp, 15, was Everett’s fourth round selection (#73 overall) in last year’s WHL Bantam Draft. The Edmonton, Alberta native spent this season playing AAA major midget hockey with the Edmonton Canadians Athletic Club. He played in 32 games with the Canadians this season, recording eight assists and 32 penalty minutes for the year.
Last season the 5’11” defender had 25 points (5g/20a) and 46 penalty minutes in 33 games with Edmonton’s AAA Bantam team. He also appeared in five games with the Canadians’ minor midget club and played four games for the Edmonton North Oilers during last year’s Alberta Cup Tournament.
“We’re definitely excited to get Michael signed,” said General Manager Garry Davidson. “He’s certainly in our plans as we go forward with the future of our hockey team. He has a good feel and sense for the game, and he’s a good decision-maker out there on the ice. We fully expect him to blossom into a very solid WHL defenseman for us.”
The WHL Scholarship not only encourages its graduates to pursue a post-secondary education, but also affords them the opportunity to continue playing hockey at an elite level in the Canadian University or College systems. For every season a player spends in the WHL, he receives a full year guaranteed Scholarship to a higher education institution. Each year over 300 WHL graduates attend a university or college on a WHL Scholarship.
Winners of three of their past four games, the ‘Tips are set to complete their home schedule this week with three home games. Everett hosts the Victoria Royals with a chance to move into seventh place in the WHL’s Western Conference tomorrow at 7:05 pm before facing Portland Friday and Victoria again on Saturday in the home finale. The ‘Tips will then finish the regular season with their last four contests coming on the road.
Silvertips group tickets and flex ticket packages can be purchased in person at the team office inside at Comcast Arena or by phone at 425-252-5100. Single game tickets are on sale by phone (866-332-8499), online (www.comcastarenaeverett.com) or at the Comcast Arena box office.
Wednesday, 15 February 2012
What Jeremy Lin Teaches Us About Talent
Linsanity! For those who don’t follow the NBA, or read the NY Post,
or check Twitter during Knicks games, Jeremy Lin is a new point guard
who has been churning out a series of incredible performances. Last
week, he torched the Lakers for 38 points; last night, he hit a three
pointer at the buzzer to beat the Raptors. What makes Lin’s story even
more remarkable is that he has been repeatedly spurned by basketball
professionals. Although Lin dreamt of attending UCLA or Stanford,
neither college offered him a scholarship. He ended up at Harvard.
Although Lin excelled in the Ivy League and broke numerous basketball records, he wasn’t selected in the 2010 NBA draft.
Read the rest of the article HERE!
Although Lin excelled in the Ivy League and broke numerous basketball records, he wasn’t selected in the 2010 NBA draft.
Eight teams had invited Lin to predraft workouts. Diepenbrock said that NBA tryouts do not play five on five. Lin acknowledged that the workouts were “one on one or two on two or three on three, and that’s not where I excel. I’ve never played basketball like that.”Lin was eventually signed by the Warriors, but he was soon placed on the inactive list and repeatedly sent down to the D-League affiliate. Last December, Lin was waived by the Warriors, picked up and then waived by the Rockets, before finally being claimed by the Knicks as a backup point guard.
New York considered releasing Lin before his contract became guaranteed on February 10 so they could sign a new player. However, after the Knicks squandered a fourth quarter lead in a February 3 loss to the Boston Celtics, coach Mike D’Antoni decided to give Lin a chance to play. “He got lucky because we were playing so bad,” said D’Antoni.[94] Lin had played only 55 minutes through the Knicks’ first 23 games.
Read the rest of the article HERE!
Friday, 10 February 2012
Discussing the 'Letter of Intent'
by WCHBlog on Feb 10, 2012 10:49 AM PST
Very Good College/Hockey Blog
Very Good College/Hockey Blog
It was reported earlier this week by Brad Schlossman that Paul
Kelly and College Hockey Inc. are working with the NHL to create
legislation that would prevent players from signing with the CHL for one full season once he signs his National Letter of Intent.
That set off another round of debate on both sides of the border, summed up nicely by Chris Peters at United States of Hockey. Always late to the party, I figured I would give my take as well.
First off, I should start by saying that I'm a huge fan of College Hockey Inc and the work that they're trying to do. I even like the idea of trying to hold players to commitments that they make. I'm just not sure that throwing all their weight behind something as flimsy as a National Letter of Intent is the way to do it.
The problem with the letter of intent is that players don't have to sign them. If this legislation passes, players will be have two options: Sign a letter of intent limiting them to playing college hockey the following season, or don't sign it and leave their options open.
There is the possibility that once a signing period comes and goes a player chooses to not sign, the school would withdraw his scholarship, but in all honesty, what are the odds of that happening with the type of players this legislation was intended for? As a hypothetical, do you really think Michigan would pull their scholarship offer from Jacob Trouba if he had chosen not sign a letter of intent this past fall? Is there a team in the country that would pass on a verbal commitment from Seth Jones just because he wanted to wait on signing a letter of intent? Probably not. So where does that get us? Pretty much the same place we are now.
It might work toward fleshing out the true intentions of certain players. I can think of players that have signed Letters of Intent, even though it's questionable that they play college hockey next season. But I also doubt the teams those players have committed to are completely in the dark about that possibility. And what about players like Stefan Matteau, whose decommitment was very heavily based on being traded to a specific team in the QMJHL? There's just not a lot of advantage to be gained by a player limiting their options like that a year in advance.
And all of this ignores the fact that many of the players breaking their letters of intent already are doing so because they signed an NHL contract. Would the NHL allow the NCAA to say that the NHL can't sign their players for a year after drafting them? That seems unlikely, and if that happened, probably wouldn't have a desired effect. The NHL already favors the CHL a bit because they have more control and flexibility with their prospects. This would just push that pendulum farther.
The other stuff about allowing CHL players to play in the NCAA is still a non-starter. Having prospective student-athletes play in a league where it is in that league's best interest not to have players eligible for NCAA hockey is a dangerous situation. Given Dave Hakstol's highly principled "the rules should be whatever benefits me most" stance(He doesn't want to lose players in the summer because recruiting a new player is hard, but he wants to steal other teams' recruits so they have to recruit late in the summer. Seriously, shut both sides of the mouth you're talking out of) he'd likely be the first to cry when a player of dubious eligibility scored against his team.
And how much benefit would that actually be? Would 18 and 19 year old draft picks leave the CHL to play in the NCAA, or would they just get 20-year-old leftovers that have run out of junior eligibility? That would do absolutely nothing for college hockey in terms of prestige and help cut the legs out from the momentous progress USA Hockey has made in recent years with the development of their junior leagues. It's just an all-around bad idea for college hockey, and hopefully one that never happens.
That set off another round of debate on both sides of the border, summed up nicely by Chris Peters at United States of Hockey. Always late to the party, I figured I would give my take as well.
First off, I should start by saying that I'm a huge fan of College Hockey Inc and the work that they're trying to do. I even like the idea of trying to hold players to commitments that they make. I'm just not sure that throwing all their weight behind something as flimsy as a National Letter of Intent is the way to do it.
The problem with the letter of intent is that players don't have to sign them. If this legislation passes, players will be have two options: Sign a letter of intent limiting them to playing college hockey the following season, or don't sign it and leave their options open.
There is the possibility that once a signing period comes and goes a player chooses to not sign, the school would withdraw his scholarship, but in all honesty, what are the odds of that happening with the type of players this legislation was intended for? As a hypothetical, do you really think Michigan would pull their scholarship offer from Jacob Trouba if he had chosen not sign a letter of intent this past fall? Is there a team in the country that would pass on a verbal commitment from Seth Jones just because he wanted to wait on signing a letter of intent? Probably not. So where does that get us? Pretty much the same place we are now.
It might work toward fleshing out the true intentions of certain players. I can think of players that have signed Letters of Intent, even though it's questionable that they play college hockey next season. But I also doubt the teams those players have committed to are completely in the dark about that possibility. And what about players like Stefan Matteau, whose decommitment was very heavily based on being traded to a specific team in the QMJHL? There's just not a lot of advantage to be gained by a player limiting their options like that a year in advance.
And all of this ignores the fact that many of the players breaking their letters of intent already are doing so because they signed an NHL contract. Would the NHL allow the NCAA to say that the NHL can't sign their players for a year after drafting them? That seems unlikely, and if that happened, probably wouldn't have a desired effect. The NHL already favors the CHL a bit because they have more control and flexibility with their prospects. This would just push that pendulum farther.
The other stuff about allowing CHL players to play in the NCAA is still a non-starter. Having prospective student-athletes play in a league where it is in that league's best interest not to have players eligible for NCAA hockey is a dangerous situation. Given Dave Hakstol's highly principled "the rules should be whatever benefits me most" stance(He doesn't want to lose players in the summer because recruiting a new player is hard, but he wants to steal other teams' recruits so they have to recruit late in the summer. Seriously, shut both sides of the mouth you're talking out of) he'd likely be the first to cry when a player of dubious eligibility scored against his team.
And how much benefit would that actually be? Would 18 and 19 year old draft picks leave the CHL to play in the NCAA, or would they just get 20-year-old leftovers that have run out of junior eligibility? That would do absolutely nothing for college hockey in terms of prestige and help cut the legs out from the momentous progress USA Hockey has made in recent years with the development of their junior leagues. It's just an all-around bad idea for college hockey, and hopefully one that never happens.
Thursday, 2 February 2012
Troock score late to give Team Orr win
Congrats Branden for your great showing in the Prospects Game! Branden has shown great persistence and determination coming back from a year and half neck injury! Great Story!
Seattle Thunderbirds forward Branden Troock lifted Team Orr to a 2-1 victory against Team Cherry at the 2012 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game Wednesday night.
With the game tied 1-1 late in the third period, Troock sealed the victory after scoring the go-ahead goal with 24 seconds left in regulation.
Troock's heroics earned him player of the game honours for Team Orr. Soo Greyhounds goaltender Matt Murray was the top player for Team Cherry after making 17 saves in just under 30 minutes of ice time.
Read rest of the Article Here!
Seattle Thunderbirds forward Branden Troock lifted Team Orr to a 2-1 victory against Team Cherry at the 2012 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game Wednesday night.
With the game tied 1-1 late in the third period, Troock sealed the victory after scoring the go-ahead goal with 24 seconds left in regulation.
Troock's heroics earned him player of the game honours for Team Orr. Soo Greyhounds goaltender Matt Murray was the top player for Team Cherry after making 17 saves in just under 30 minutes of ice time.
Read rest of the Article Here!
Thursday, 26 January 2012
U-16 Alumni Connor Bleakley Brings It!
Coached Connor with the U-16 team this past year. Has incredible talent and with hard work he will one day be a pro player! Congrats Connor!
Great shot!
Great shot!
Wednesday, 18 January 2012
WHL Prospects Game - Winther & Troock
I would like to congratulate the following players: Mike Winther and Brendan Troock for being named to the Top Prospects Game. I coached both athletes at the U-16 Western Challenge Cup and Mike with Team Pacific. Bright future for these two boys! Congrats boys!
Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League in association with the Western Hockey League Kelowna Rockets Hockey Club and Home Hardware Stores Limited today announced that three players have been added to rosters for the 2012 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game to be played February 1 at Prospera Place in Kelowna, BC.
Mike Winther of the Prince Albert Raiders, and Tim Bozon of the Kamloops Blazers have been added to the Team Cherry roster while Branden Troock of the Seattle Thunderbirds will suit up for Team Orr. The three players replace Nail Yakupov of the Sarnia Sting, Jarrod Maidens of the Owen Sound Attack, and Matia Marcantuoni of the Kitchener Rangers who are all unable to participate due to injury.
Winther, an 18-year-old from Trochu, AB, is playing in his second WHL season with the Raiders. The 5’11’’, 170lb forward was ranked 26th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting in their recent midterm rankings. In 45 games so far this season he has 39 points including a team-high 22 goals.
Bozon, a 17-year-old rookie from Lugano, Switzerland, is ranked 39th by NHL Central Scouting. At 6’1’’, 178lbs, the Blazers’ forward is tied for first among WHL rookies in scoring with 22 goals and 22 assists for 44 points in 44 games.
Troock, a 17-year-old Edmonton, AB, native is playing in his first full WHL season with the Thunderbirds. The big 6’3’’, 203lb power forward has 14 points in 34 games so far this season and was ranked 90th by NHL Central Scouting in their midterm rankings for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.
The 2012 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is supported by title sponsor Home Hardware for the 13th straight year with associate sponsors Bank of Montreal, Subway, and CCM.
The game will be broadcast live to a national audience on Sportsnet and TVA Sports in Quebec beginning at 7:00 pm Pacific and available online through Sportsnet 590 The FAN.
The 2012 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game will mark the 17th annual showcase of the CHL’s top-40 NHL draft eligible players. The two-day event also features a skills competition and three-on-three challenge taking place on Tuesday January 31, 2012. Ticket packages are still available for the two-day event and can be purchased at http://www.selectyourtickets.com/prospects.php or by calling 250-762-5050.
For more information including rosters and historical stats please visit www.homehardwaretopprospectsgame.com
About Home Hardware Stores Limited
100% Canadian owned and operated, Home Hardware Stores Limited has a presence in every Canadian province and territory and is the country’s largest independent, Dealer-owned hardware, lumber, building materials and furniture cooperative. Founded on January 1, 1964 by 122 independent hardware Dealers, the cooperative now includes more than 1,080 stores, under the Home Hardware, Home Building Centre, Home Hardware Building Centre and Home Furniture banners, with annual collective retail sales of more than $5 billion. Home Hardware’s independent Dealer-Owners, recognized by the North American Retail Hardware Association as Canada’s best-trained Dealer group, have access to 100,000 quality brand name and private label products, a world-class distribution system and draw upon the power of Home Hardware’s network to provide their local communities with top quality products and services at competitive prices.
Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League in association with the Western Hockey League Kelowna Rockets Hockey Club and Home Hardware Stores Limited today announced that three players have been added to rosters for the 2012 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game to be played February 1 at Prospera Place in Kelowna, BC.
Mike Winther of the Prince Albert Raiders, and Tim Bozon of the Kamloops Blazers have been added to the Team Cherry roster while Branden Troock of the Seattle Thunderbirds will suit up for Team Orr. The three players replace Nail Yakupov of the Sarnia Sting, Jarrod Maidens of the Owen Sound Attack, and Matia Marcantuoni of the Kitchener Rangers who are all unable to participate due to injury.
Winther, an 18-year-old from Trochu, AB, is playing in his second WHL season with the Raiders. The 5’11’’, 170lb forward was ranked 26th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting in their recent midterm rankings. In 45 games so far this season he has 39 points including a team-high 22 goals.
Bozon, a 17-year-old rookie from Lugano, Switzerland, is ranked 39th by NHL Central Scouting. At 6’1’’, 178lbs, the Blazers’ forward is tied for first among WHL rookies in scoring with 22 goals and 22 assists for 44 points in 44 games.
Troock, a 17-year-old Edmonton, AB, native is playing in his first full WHL season with the Thunderbirds. The big 6’3’’, 203lb power forward has 14 points in 34 games so far this season and was ranked 90th by NHL Central Scouting in their midterm rankings for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.
The 2012 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is supported by title sponsor Home Hardware for the 13th straight year with associate sponsors Bank of Montreal, Subway, and CCM.
The game will be broadcast live to a national audience on Sportsnet and TVA Sports in Quebec beginning at 7:00 pm Pacific and available online through Sportsnet 590 The FAN.
The 2012 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game will mark the 17th annual showcase of the CHL’s top-40 NHL draft eligible players. The two-day event also features a skills competition and three-on-three challenge taking place on Tuesday January 31, 2012. Ticket packages are still available for the two-day event and can be purchased at http://www.selectyourtickets.com/prospects.php or by calling 250-762-5050.
For more information including rosters and historical stats please visit www.homehardwaretopprospectsgame.com
About Home Hardware Stores Limited
100% Canadian owned and operated, Home Hardware Stores Limited has a presence in every Canadian province and territory and is the country’s largest independent, Dealer-owned hardware, lumber, building materials and furniture cooperative. Founded on January 1, 1964 by 122 independent hardware Dealers, the cooperative now includes more than 1,080 stores, under the Home Hardware, Home Building Centre, Home Hardware Building Centre and Home Furniture banners, with annual collective retail sales of more than $5 billion. Home Hardware’s independent Dealer-Owners, recognized by the North American Retail Hardware Association as Canada’s best-trained Dealer group, have access to 100,000 quality brand name and private label products, a world-class distribution system and draw upon the power of Home Hardware’s network to provide their local communities with top quality products and services at competitive prices.
GIANTS SIGN 1ST ROUND PICK THOMAS
Thomas is a fantastic 200 foot hockey player! Coached him in the past Western Challenge Cup were he was one of our top forwards! He has a bright future and the Giants have a great prospect in their hands! Good luck Thomas!
Vancouver Giants Executive Vice-President and General Manager Scott Bonner is proud to announce the signing of 2011 1st round pick Thomas Foster. The native of Slave Lake, Alberta becomes the 4th player from the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft to commit to the program, joining goaltender Payton Lee and defencemen Reid Zalitach and Jake Kohlhauser.
"It's a big step for the organization to sign our first round pick ", said Executive Vice-President and General Manager Scott Bonner. "Thomas plays with energy and enthusiasm and is coming off an impressive performance at the prestigious Mac's Midget Tournament. I look forward to him being a permanent player on our team next season."
Foster, a centreman, was selected 20th overall in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft and is currently playing for the St. Albert Raiders of the Alberta Midget Hockey League. He has 7 goals, 10 assists, 17 points, and 10 penalty minutes in 22 games.
He will join the Giants on their Alberta road trip next Monday, January 23. The Giants will play 3 games against Red Deer, Calgary, and Edmonton. Foster is expected to play at least the game in Edmonton against the Oil Kings and his older brother TJ.
Vancouver Giants Executive Vice-President and General Manager Scott Bonner is proud to announce the signing of 2011 1st round pick Thomas Foster. The native of Slave Lake, Alberta becomes the 4th player from the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft to commit to the program, joining goaltender Payton Lee and defencemen Reid Zalitach and Jake Kohlhauser.
"It's a big step for the organization to sign our first round pick ", said Executive Vice-President and General Manager Scott Bonner. "Thomas plays with energy and enthusiasm and is coming off an impressive performance at the prestigious Mac's Midget Tournament. I look forward to him being a permanent player on our team next season."
Foster, a centreman, was selected 20th overall in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft and is currently playing for the St. Albert Raiders of the Alberta Midget Hockey League. He has 7 goals, 10 assists, 17 points, and 10 penalty minutes in 22 games.
He will join the Giants on their Alberta road trip next Monday, January 23. The Giants will play 3 games against Red Deer, Calgary, and Edmonton. Foster is expected to play at least the game in Edmonton against the Oil Kings and his older brother TJ.
2012 Draft Prospect - Troy Bourke
Our 2012 Draft Eligible Player tonight is Troy Bourke of the Prince George Cougars. The local product returns to Edmonton this week to take on the Oil Kings. I coached Troy with Hockey Alberta and Hockey Canada - Team Pacific. Great young man and a great hockey player. He is the smartest (game awareness) player I have coached. His ability to be two steps of the play is and will be his strength into the future! Very coachable player for all you hockey players reading this!
Below is a link to his interview with The Pipeline Show!
Click Here!
Tuesday, 10 January 2012
Giorgio Estephan - WHL Top Draft Pick Profile
Congrats to Core Hockey Player Giorgio Estephan for his two goal performance at the AMBHL All-Star game! You will hear his name more in the not so distant future! Click the link below to know about this rising young hockey player!
I have known Gio for the past five years and I am not surprised with his success! Congrats Gio, continued success! Be Better Every Day!
Giorgio Estephan Profile!
I have known Gio for the past five years and I am not surprised with his success! Congrats Gio, continued success! Be Better Every Day!
Giorgio Estephan Profile!
Friday, 9 December 2011
Try Out Now! Do NOT Wait for the Off-Season!
Last ASK Jason article I discussed How to Approach and make First Contact with a Junior or University Team.
Today’s discussion is an extension of that. Once you know how too
politely, directly and confidently discuss arranging for a tryout, you
need to concentrate on ‘Big Picture’ thinking, WHEN to begin your
journey.
The biggest mistake players make at all ages in trying to get to the next level is when they decide to worry about tryouts or making the team. A lot of people tend to wait until camp invitations arrive in the mail or until a scout approaches them at the rink or showcase event. It doesn’t matter if you are in Midget, Junior B or Junior A, you cannot wait until the late spring or summer to make your choices nor can you rely entirely on clubs coming directly to you. In the very least, I’m a proponent of getting as many quality options as possible as you need to have Plan A, B, C and even Z if you can manage it.
Another pitfall is that players tend to settle once they have received a tryout that seems like a reasonable opportunity. There is nothing wrong with being confident in your abilities and skills but contrary to what you might think, confidence isn’t enough to ensure that a job is all sewn up. Final roster decisions are not made based upon skill alone, in fact financial, positional needs, politics and many other considerations all go into final personnel choices. You cannot leave yourself only one ‘sure-thing’ situation, because there definitely is no such thing!
So I’d argue that there is no reason to wait until the offseason to begin active self-promotion. You can in fact tryout with as many teams as you want during the season and I encourage you to do just that! If you plan on playing Junior A next year, start calling GM’s NOW! Arrange for a skate or an in-season tryout or advanced preview now.
Yes, it’s just that easy. Call the coach, give him the short version of whom you are and that you are planning on trying out for them in the spring/fall and that if it is possible, you would like the opportunity for them to take a look at you now or before the season is over at a team practice.
It might require you taking an afternoon or morning off of high school or better yet, plan it around a weekday holiday. Teams always want to look at talent for the future and they typically have limited budgets and time constraints to get out and scout as much as they would like to on their own. So be proactive, call the team, and get it done!
Think about it this way, would you rather be seen as the only guy ‘trying’ out at that skate or as #123 on their list of the 10 prospect teams playing at their evaluation camp? Where do you think you have a better chance getting noticed?
Good Luck!
The biggest mistake players make at all ages in trying to get to the next level is when they decide to worry about tryouts or making the team. A lot of people tend to wait until camp invitations arrive in the mail or until a scout approaches them at the rink or showcase event. It doesn’t matter if you are in Midget, Junior B or Junior A, you cannot wait until the late spring or summer to make your choices nor can you rely entirely on clubs coming directly to you. In the very least, I’m a proponent of getting as many quality options as possible as you need to have Plan A, B, C and even Z if you can manage it.
Another pitfall is that players tend to settle once they have received a tryout that seems like a reasonable opportunity. There is nothing wrong with being confident in your abilities and skills but contrary to what you might think, confidence isn’t enough to ensure that a job is all sewn up. Final roster decisions are not made based upon skill alone, in fact financial, positional needs, politics and many other considerations all go into final personnel choices. You cannot leave yourself only one ‘sure-thing’ situation, because there definitely is no such thing!
So I’d argue that there is no reason to wait until the offseason to begin active self-promotion. You can in fact tryout with as many teams as you want during the season and I encourage you to do just that! If you plan on playing Junior A next year, start calling GM’s NOW! Arrange for a skate or an in-season tryout or advanced preview now.
Yes, it’s just that easy. Call the coach, give him the short version of whom you are and that you are planning on trying out for them in the spring/fall and that if it is possible, you would like the opportunity for them to take a look at you now or before the season is over at a team practice.
It might require you taking an afternoon or morning off of high school or better yet, plan it around a weekday holiday. Teams always want to look at talent for the future and they typically have limited budgets and time constraints to get out and scout as much as they would like to on their own. So be proactive, call the team, and get it done!
Think about it this way, would you rather be seen as the only guy ‘trying’ out at that skate or as #123 on their list of the 10 prospect teams playing at their evaluation camp? Where do you think you have a better chance getting noticed?
Good Luck!
Thursday, 8 December 2011
"Wait to Worry"
Excerpted from Attitude is Everything by Vicki Hitzges
I used to worry. A lot. The more I fretted, the more proficient I became at it. Anxiety begets anxiety. I even worried that I worried too much! Ulcers might develop. My health could fail. My finances could deplete to pay the hospital bills. A comedian once said, "I tried to drown my worries with gin, but my worries are equipped with flotation devices." While not a drinker, I certainly could identify! My worries could swim, jump and pole vault!
To get some perspective, I visited a well known Dallas businessman, Fred Smith. Fred mentored such luminaries as motivational whiz Zig Ziglar, business guru Ken Blanchard and leadership expert John Maxwell. Fred listened as I poured out my concerns and then said, "Vicki, you need to learn to wait to worry." As the words sank in, I asked Fred if he ever spent time fretting. (I was quite certain he wouldn't admit it if he did. He was pretty full of testosterone — even at age 90.) To my surprise, he confessed that in years gone by he had been a top-notch worrier!
"I decided that I would wait to worry!" he explained. "I decided that I'd wait until I actually had a reason to worry — something that was happening, not just something that might happen before I worried." "When I'm tempted to get alarmed," he confided, "I tell myself, 'Fred, you've got to wait to worry! Until you know differently, don't worry.' And I don't. Waiting to worry helps me develop the habit of not worrying and that helps me not be tempted to worry."
Fred possessed a quick mind and a gift for gab. As such, he became a captivating public speaker. "I frequently ask audiences what they were worried about this time last year. I get a lot of laughs," he said, "because most people can't remember. Then I ask if they have a current worry — you see nods from everybody. Then I remind them that the average worrier is 92% inefficient — only 8% of what we worry about ever comes true."
Charles Spurgeon said it best. "Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, but only empties today of its strength."
Friday, 18 November 2011
Coach K had a powerful impact
This article is basketball related but it has a powerful message. It centers around how a "coach" can help young boys who turn into men while under their watchful eye! Its a great article about commitment, dicipline, caring, leadership, integrity and friendship. All athletes should read this article!
I am incredibly proud of Coach K's record-setting career as the winningest coach in NCAA history. I am also very proud to have been a student and athlete under him.
I vividly remember the first time he met with my team during my freshman year and shared his vision, his passion and his plan for us to win our first national championship. Some people have said to me it must have been easy to win under Coach, but that was far from the case. He was demanding, intense, constantly pushing and prodding us to produce more, to believe in him and, most importantly, to believe in ourselves more than we ever thought we could. His defensive mindset framed his belief in how to win. That, together with his belief that we could be better as the sum of our parts than as individuals, embodies his philosophy.
In that first year, he predicted we would have ups and downs and we did. We won big games and we lost games we should have won. We returned to the Final Four and faced a UNLV team that had eviscerated us just 12 months earlier. My parents joke that only the players and coaches believed we could beat UNLV when the players joined their parents for one final "it's going to be ok" pep talk the night before that semifinal game. But Coach K had done his homework. He was confident in our abilities, collectively and individually, to win against the best team in the nation. Thinking today of his intensity, his will to win, his drive, his passion and his incredible attention to detail throughout that drive to our first national championship gives me chills. Perhaps I was too young to realize the characteristics that I see and admire in him today. With age comes perspective and I've achieved a greater perspective on Coach K and the many traits that have served him so well in his stellar career.
Coach knew I could have left before my senior year for the NBA and he reminded me of that often as we started that final season. I decided to "be bold" and at the ACC preseason media day I predicted we would return to the Final Four, which we did. I realized years later that had I not stayed for that senior season I would not have developed into the professional player I have become. Coach entrusted the team to my leadership and challenged me -- no, dared me -- to lead the team in my own way. The bond, the trust we developed, challenged how I approached being a leader and pushed me beyond my limits. Those lessons have stayed with me into my professional career and helped me lead countless groups of players in a variety of circumstances. He taught me to be selfish on the court, selfless off it, and to know the difference.
His constructive criticism and his willingness to hold me accountable for the good and the bad was a vital part of my maturation. Those lessons bled over into life both on and off the court. When I faced a serious ankle injury during my professional basketball career, it was Coach who told me to come back and do all the things I did before getting hurt. He knew that I had the ability and strength to overcome my injury even before I did. Like in college, Coach profoundly encouraged me and implored me to overcome adversity and perform at the highest level I could against some of the best athletes in the sport.
I have grown up surrounded by powerful role models, both athletes and non-athletes. I have learned so much from all of them: how to lead, how to play, how to achieve success, how to handle success, how to reach out and help those in need. Coach K has been one of those powerful role models for me and countless others who have played for him or met him throughout his storied career. He has lived a life of great success and achievement while remaining loyal to teaching and to Duke.
I speak for Dukies everywhere in congratulating him on his record-breaking achievement and wish him many more years of success.
Grant Hill and Blue Devils teammate Christian Laettner are the executive producers of Duke: '91 & '92, a documentary celebrating the team's back-to-back NCAA Championships. It will air in March on truTV.
I am incredibly proud of Coach K's record-setting career as the winningest coach in NCAA history. I am also very proud to have been a student and athlete under him.
I vividly remember the first time he met with my team during my freshman year and shared his vision, his passion and his plan for us to win our first national championship. Some people have said to me it must have been easy to win under Coach, but that was far from the case. He was demanding, intense, constantly pushing and prodding us to produce more, to believe in him and, most importantly, to believe in ourselves more than we ever thought we could. His defensive mindset framed his belief in how to win. That, together with his belief that we could be better as the sum of our parts than as individuals, embodies his philosophy.
In that first year, he predicted we would have ups and downs and we did. We won big games and we lost games we should have won. We returned to the Final Four and faced a UNLV team that had eviscerated us just 12 months earlier. My parents joke that only the players and coaches believed we could beat UNLV when the players joined their parents for one final "it's going to be ok" pep talk the night before that semifinal game. But Coach K had done his homework. He was confident in our abilities, collectively and individually, to win against the best team in the nation. Thinking today of his intensity, his will to win, his drive, his passion and his incredible attention to detail throughout that drive to our first national championship gives me chills. Perhaps I was too young to realize the characteristics that I see and admire in him today. With age comes perspective and I've achieved a greater perspective on Coach K and the many traits that have served him so well in his stellar career.
Coach knew I could have left before my senior year for the NBA and he reminded me of that often as we started that final season. I decided to "be bold" and at the ACC preseason media day I predicted we would return to the Final Four, which we did. I realized years later that had I not stayed for that senior season I would not have developed into the professional player I have become. Coach entrusted the team to my leadership and challenged me -- no, dared me -- to lead the team in my own way. The bond, the trust we developed, challenged how I approached being a leader and pushed me beyond my limits. Those lessons have stayed with me into my professional career and helped me lead countless groups of players in a variety of circumstances. He taught me to be selfish on the court, selfless off it, and to know the difference.
His constructive criticism and his willingness to hold me accountable for the good and the bad was a vital part of my maturation. Those lessons bled over into life both on and off the court. When I faced a serious ankle injury during my professional basketball career, it was Coach who told me to come back and do all the things I did before getting hurt. He knew that I had the ability and strength to overcome my injury even before I did. Like in college, Coach profoundly encouraged me and implored me to overcome adversity and perform at the highest level I could against some of the best athletes in the sport.
I have grown up surrounded by powerful role models, both athletes and non-athletes. I have learned so much from all of them: how to lead, how to play, how to achieve success, how to handle success, how to reach out and help those in need. Coach K has been one of those powerful role models for me and countless others who have played for him or met him throughout his storied career. He has lived a life of great success and achievement while remaining loyal to teaching and to Duke.
I speak for Dukies everywhere in congratulating him on his record-breaking achievement and wish him many more years of success.
Grant Hill and Blue Devils teammate Christian Laettner are the executive producers of Duke: '91 & '92, a documentary celebrating the team's back-to-back NCAA Championships. It will air in March on truTV.
Branden Troock (Seattle Thunderbirds) Story
Here is an article about a local player from Edmonton. Branden has the potential to be a pro player and its exciting to see he is on the road to recovery! He's a great kid, with a bright future!
Ancient Chinese remedy helped Branden Troock's headaches after they threatened the Seattle Thunderbird's career.
Special to The Seattle Times
JOHN LOK / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Branden Troock's headaches were a medical
mystery — until he tried an ancient Chinese remedy: "I don't know how it
works and I don't ask questions because I don't think the doctor speaks
English."
KENT — An ancient Chinese remedy has helped solve what appeared to be
a modern sports problem for Branden Troock and the Seattle
Thunderbirds.
Troock, 17, was considered a can't-miss scoring prodigy from Edmonton, Alberta, when he was drafted by the Thunderbirds with the 12th overall pick in the 2009 Western Hockey League bantam draft.
Playing for Team Alberta in an all-star tournament on Oct. 31, 2009, Troock was knocked unconscious from a hit he never saw coming.
The blow to the head — now specifically outlawed in the WHL to cut down on concussions — caught Troock on the helmet and under the jaw. He remembers little about it and refuses to watch it on tape.
That devastating blindside hit did not draw a penalty, but did cost Troock his rookie season. Now the 6-foot-3, 203 pounder is in a race to catch up because this is his NHL draft year.
He sat out all of the 2010-11 season while the T-birds faltered and missed the WHL playoffs for the second straight year.
"It was tough," said Troock, who has three goals and three assists in 12 games this season. "Some days I couldn't even get out of bed without throwing up."
On other days, he was in too much pain even to watch his teammates, let alone play.
"I was told maybe I needed to find another career, but there is nothing I'd rather do than play hockey," Troock said. "It killed me to watch, and I never even thought about giving up."
Neither did Seattle general manager Russ Farwell and team athletic therapist Phil Varney.
"Every time he had a headache, we went down the concussion road to make sure," Farwell said. "He went to three different neurologists who all did full workups with two MRIs and CT scans. They all said it wasn't a concussion."
So Troock's debilitating headaches became a medical mystery.
"We could always get him symptom-free, but we couldn't keep him symptom-free," Varney said. "The headaches were severe and his eyes would be dilated."
Troock went to the Seattle Sports Concussion Program at Harborview Medical Center and then was evaluated by a headache specialist at the University of Washington. He was eventually diagnosed with a neck injury. Although the concussion had healed, a nerve that travels from his neck to his eyes was causing his migraines.
"The neck injury was mimicking concussion symptoms, and that made it very difficult," Varney said. "He'd get dizzy when he did activity."
Troock was also treated by a Vancouver, B.C., chiropractor favored by many NHL players before being taken to the Vina Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Clinic in downtown Seattle.
Acupuncture is known to break pain cycles, and Varney said all Troock's doctors were supportive of the treatment.
"I was at the point where I would have tried anything," Troock said.
So in went the needles. And out went the headaches. There has been no recurrence since the beginning of training camp.
Troock is now on a twice-a-week acupuncture regimen. Sometimes he has as many as 50 needles inserted into his body, sometimes fewer than 20.
"It all depends on how I'm feeling," Troock said. "Sometimes the needles are in my ankles and hands. I don't know how it works and I don't ask questions because I don't think the doctor speaks English."
He also takes Chinese herbs to increase circulation. The T-birds had the herbs analyzed to ensure they would not violate the WHL's drug-testing program. Only one didn't make the cut.
Troock's neurologists told him he is no more likely than anyone else to get a concussion.
"The nerve problem was genetic and one I had before the hit. That was just the straw that broke the camel's back," Troock said. "I don't worry about it happening again."
Troock is learning to become a complete player, one who not only makes plays but can stop them.
T-birds coach Steve Konowalchuk, who has 15 years of NHL experience, has been patient helping Troock become a well-rounded player.
"All the scouts are here because he has high-end talent, but there are a lot of skilled players out there," Konowalchuk said. "When the scouts evaluate high-end talent, they are looking at all the other things — the compete level, what they do away from the puck, things that enhance those elite skills."
An NHL scout agrees.
"I'd be surprised if all 30 teams weren't looking at him," said the scout, who requested anonymity. "He has size, skill, hockey sense and an instinct to score, but he also has a lot of catching up to do. There are inconsistencies because of not playing. As long as the effort, the grit and determination to battle and compete are there, he should develop."
Farwell estimated it will take until the Christmas break for Troock to adjust to the WHL game.
"I do see him as a major talent," Farwell said. "His experience was as a dominant player. He's getting there, but he hasn't played enough hockey at this level to get to that point. I don't think it will take him long."
Troock, 17, was considered a can't-miss scoring prodigy from Edmonton, Alberta, when he was drafted by the Thunderbirds with the 12th overall pick in the 2009 Western Hockey League bantam draft.
Playing for Team Alberta in an all-star tournament on Oct. 31, 2009, Troock was knocked unconscious from a hit he never saw coming.
The blow to the head — now specifically outlawed in the WHL to cut down on concussions — caught Troock on the helmet and under the jaw. He remembers little about it and refuses to watch it on tape.
That devastating blindside hit did not draw a penalty, but did cost Troock his rookie season. Now the 6-foot-3, 203 pounder is in a race to catch up because this is his NHL draft year.
He sat out all of the 2010-11 season while the T-birds faltered and missed the WHL playoffs for the second straight year.
"It was tough," said Troock, who has three goals and three assists in 12 games this season. "Some days I couldn't even get out of bed without throwing up."
On other days, he was in too much pain even to watch his teammates, let alone play.
"I was told maybe I needed to find another career, but there is nothing I'd rather do than play hockey," Troock said. "It killed me to watch, and I never even thought about giving up."
Neither did Seattle general manager Russ Farwell and team athletic therapist Phil Varney.
"Every time he had a headache, we went down the concussion road to make sure," Farwell said. "He went to three different neurologists who all did full workups with two MRIs and CT scans. They all said it wasn't a concussion."
So Troock's debilitating headaches became a medical mystery.
"We could always get him symptom-free, but we couldn't keep him symptom-free," Varney said. "The headaches were severe and his eyes would be dilated."
Troock went to the Seattle Sports Concussion Program at Harborview Medical Center and then was evaluated by a headache specialist at the University of Washington. He was eventually diagnosed with a neck injury. Although the concussion had healed, a nerve that travels from his neck to his eyes was causing his migraines.
"The neck injury was mimicking concussion symptoms, and that made it very difficult," Varney said. "He'd get dizzy when he did activity."
Troock was also treated by a Vancouver, B.C., chiropractor favored by many NHL players before being taken to the Vina Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Clinic in downtown Seattle.
Acupuncture is known to break pain cycles, and Varney said all Troock's doctors were supportive of the treatment.
"I was at the point where I would have tried anything," Troock said.
So in went the needles. And out went the headaches. There has been no recurrence since the beginning of training camp.
Troock is now on a twice-a-week acupuncture regimen. Sometimes he has as many as 50 needles inserted into his body, sometimes fewer than 20.
"It all depends on how I'm feeling," Troock said. "Sometimes the needles are in my ankles and hands. I don't know how it works and I don't ask questions because I don't think the doctor speaks English."
He also takes Chinese herbs to increase circulation. The T-birds had the herbs analyzed to ensure they would not violate the WHL's drug-testing program. Only one didn't make the cut.
Troock's neurologists told him he is no more likely than anyone else to get a concussion.
"The nerve problem was genetic and one I had before the hit. That was just the straw that broke the camel's back," Troock said. "I don't worry about it happening again."
Troock is learning to become a complete player, one who not only makes plays but can stop them.
T-birds coach Steve Konowalchuk, who has 15 years of NHL experience, has been patient helping Troock become a well-rounded player.
"All the scouts are here because he has high-end talent, but there are a lot of skilled players out there," Konowalchuk said. "When the scouts evaluate high-end talent, they are looking at all the other things — the compete level, what they do away from the puck, things that enhance those elite skills."
An NHL scout agrees.
"I'd be surprised if all 30 teams weren't looking at him," said the scout, who requested anonymity. "He has size, skill, hockey sense and an instinct to score, but he also has a lot of catching up to do. There are inconsistencies because of not playing. As long as the effort, the grit and determination to battle and compete are there, he should develop."
Farwell estimated it will take until the Christmas break for Troock to adjust to the WHL game.
"I do see him as a major talent," Farwell said. "His experience was as a dominant player. He's getting there, but he hasn't played enough hockey at this level to get to that point. I don't think it will take him long."
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