Day 2 at the prospect camp in Nashville saw the Bruins fall 3-2 in OT to the Lightning and the Panthers defeat the Predators 3-1 in the late game that challenged my loyalties as the 2015 Miss America Pageant was happening at the same time. Thank you Ford Ice Center for having TVs upstairs....I know the scouts really appreciated being able to watch the swimsuit competition during a very well timed intermission...
Back to hockey....
Word on the street is that if you played in the CHL, you come to the professional ranks knowing how to generate offense and if you played in the NCAA, you know to the professional ranks knowing how to play defense and yesterday's games in Nashville via Antioch were a prime example of that.
Sitting in the press area with more than a handful of scouts, every so often someone would ask, Where did he come from? and the conversation went a little something like this:
- Notre Dame.
- Of course he did...such smart decisions with and without the puck.
- Cornell.
- Of course he did...One thing I know about players from Cornell, they know how to play defense.
- Vermont.
- Of course he did...Crash and bang, crash and bang.
- Portland.
- Of course he did...look at him go!
I'm talking about Tampa's Jeff Costello, Boston's Brian Ferlin, Florida's Connor Brickley and Nashville's Brendan Leipsic - four players that really stood out for positive reasons yesterday. The best part is that when I arrived here in Nashville for this camp, I wasn't expecting much from any of them, but they peaked my curiosity on day one, didn't disappoint on day two and have me eager to see them play on day three.
For Costello...I've seen him play for four years at Notre Dame and I don't ever recall him looking this good on the ice. He just seems to be in the right place at the right time, making smart decisions that lead to great plays. I'm not sure if it was because of the role he was asked to play for the Irish or because of the additional opportunities he's getting in this camp to prove his worth, but he is certainly making this most of this camp.
For Ferlin...His ability to protect the puck and, more importantly, force a turnover is remarkable. Cornell really is known for their strong defensive play and he exemplifies Mike Schafer's teachings to a T. He is just so in control of the game and so aware of where the puck is, where it's going, where his teammates are and thinks one step ahead. He is earning opportunities and will challenge for ice time and serious consideration at main camp later this week.
For Brickley...Really impressed with his physical play. He's not exactly a huge physical presence out there, but you couldn't tell that by the way he pounds guys into the boards. It's great for his linemates as he can create some separation and allow time and space for them to scoop up the puck and make something happen. It will be interesting to see how he might fit into Florida's game plan as they will need those muckers and grinders to compliment their more offensively skilled forwards.
For Leipsic...Kid's got wheels. Like serious afterburners. Outside of the top line of Forsberg, Sissons and Fiala, Leipsic is the player you noticed every time he was on the ice and more often than not made something of nothing. Now that his junior career is over, we all know he's headed to Milwaukee, but if he keeps this up he might make his appearance in Nashville sooner rather than later.
Today was a non-game day, but the final two games are on the slate for tomorrow at 10a & 1pm CT. Check back here for my post-prospect camp thoughts on Wednesday!
Julie
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