On Wednesday, January 8th, the New York
Islanders Booster Club met in the lower levels of the Marriott Hotel. It was a standing room only event in the
small amphitheater as a group of Isles fans waited to meet two young players
who figure largely into the future success of the team.
It was a night that featured Calvin de Haan
& Ryan Strome.
Both guys came in and ingratiated themselves
with the assembled fans, making jokes and entertaining any questions
asked. I went on to add any interesting
comments to my Knight of Cups twitter feed.
I asked them how it felt to be put into the game
for key special teams play or in the final moments of a game to preserve a lead
or get a tying goal. They said its great to have the coaching staff's
confidence when the game is on the line. Its been something they have faced
their whole careers, so they prepare for it and embrace it in the NHL as well. Its' both a challenge and an honor to be sent
out to protect a lead or be put on the ice at a key time in the game.
I also asked about what they learned in the minors as part of the Isles system. Both de Haan &
Strome concurred that playing in Bridgeport was motivation. They also stressed
that you need to keep playing hard and do what's required to stay in the line
up. In the minor leagues, a player needs
to become a professional by changing your diet, train, sleep properly and keep
a mindset that helps you do what you need to do in order to get called up again and
maintain that level of play. Strome
agreed that "lifestyle" is a big adjustment between Minors and the Pros,
even more that the size & strength of the opposition. There is less hitting in the NHL and the speed
is the biggest difference. Both guys
don't pay too much attention to what is written in the media or worry about
distractions that could affect their game.
Calvin de Haan grew
up an Ottawa fan and said he would like to become a defensemen who resembles a Scott
Niedermayer, Paul Martin or Kenny Jonson.
I dont know about you, but that would work for me as well. Ryan Strome admired Matts Sundin & Gary
Roberts, Alex Mogilny and grew up a Toronto fan.
Strome was asked
about his training with John Tavares. It's
Four days at the gym, go to bed early and do mobility training and practice power
skating, play in organized pick up games with other NHL and minor league
players to stay sharp. As part of his training
regiment, Strome participates in Yoga.
Other than the coaching
staff, both guys said that John Tavares, Evgeni Nabokov, Kyle Okposo & Eric
Boulton are the primary motivators in the locker room. Boulton, said Strome is always there to say
something at the right time. It seems
that even with his limited role on the team, Boulton who was called, "a great team guy," has both Strome
& de Haans' respect based on the way they spoke of him.
They will most likely
return to Bridgeport during the Olympic break to keep themselves in game
condition and stay in practice. In the
future, both guys would love to reach the necessary level it takes to represent
Team Canada.
It seems that these
guys are excited to be Islanders and have been pleased to be a part of the
teams recent successes in the win column.
Thanks to @strome18, @cal_dehaan,
@NYIslanders
& the @NYIBooster club for a great meeting.
Calvin de Haan & Ryan Strome give autographs and meet fans after the meeting.
Isles Notes:
Per Arthur Staple,
"Don't think this news made it to the links last night: Evgeni Nabokov's
injury is not considered major, likely to be out 2 weeks."
Per Sound Tigers,
"PLAYER TRANSACTIONS: Parker Milner has been recalled from Stockton (ECHL)
while Peter Boyd has signed a PTO."
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