Up My Hockey with Jason Podollan
Up My Hockey with Jason Podollan
EP. 158 - Morgan Geekie's NHL Journey - The Road to 33 Goals:
Morgan Geekie shares his journey from small-town Manitoba to becoming a 33-goal scorer for the Boston Bruins, highlighting the importance of resilience and embracing your unique development path in professional hockey.
• From being drafted 90th overall in the WHL to 67th in the NHL after being overlooked in his first year of eligibility
• Started this season as a healthy scratch before scoring more goals than NHL stars like Nathan McKinnon and Jack Eichel
• Growing up in Strathclair, Manitoba (population ~700) and developing alongside his brothers, including Connor Geekie
• The mental challenges of transitioning from being a fan to playing alongside NHL stars you once idolized
• Importance of time spent in the AHL for proper development and appreciation of the NHL
• How Boston's team culture, where "everything is earned," helped shape his professional approach
• Balancing old school and new school hockey mentalities as someone who bridges the generational gap
The lesson from Morgan's story is powerful: everyone's development timeline is different, and the path to success isn't linear. Control what you can control, embrace where you are, and keep pushing forward - your ceiling might be higher than you imagine.
You see, a lot of guys get rushed in situations, especially maybe highly touted prospects or guys that are kind of in a different situation and that's not always the best for development. And I think you see it in the NHL too, where they rush guys to the NHL because they're a high pick or they come out of college and they're like I'm not going to go to the American League and I think being, I think being, I guess humble is a word, I guess, but just having an open mind to being like maybe I'm not ready, and that was a big one for me.
Speaker 2:That was number 39 of the Boston Bruins Morgan Geeky and you're listening to the Up my Hockey podcast with Jason Padolan. Welcome to Up my Hockey with Jason Padolan, where we deconstruct the NHL journey, discuss what it takes to make it and have a few laughs along the way. I'm your host, jason Padolan, a 31st overall draft pick who played 41 NHL games but thought he was destined for 1,000. Learn from my story and those of my guests. This is a hockey podcast about reaching your potential. Hey there, welcome to 159, episode 159, that is of the Up my Hockey podcast with Jason Padolan. I'm your host, jason Padolan, and you are here for my conversation with current Boston Bruins star forward, morgan Geeky. And what an exciting podcast for me Again. Not always do I have the opportunity to speak with current NHL players and current thriving NHL players, and this week you have the benefit of that conversation. Thriving NHL players and this week you have the benefit of that conversation. Morgan just came off a career year 33 goals, 24 assists, 57 points second on the Boston Bruins and overall points second on the Boston Bruins. And goals, and that goal total not only put him second on the Boston Bruins behind Pasternak, but put him above household all-star names like Jack Eichel, like Mikko Rantanen, like Nathan McKinnon that Morgan Geeky scored more goals than this year. So really exciting year for Morgan Geeky and his story. I can't wait for you guys to hear it.
Speaker 2:There's just so many, I don't know, like interesting highlights that are not the norm. Let's say what's an example of that? Like being drafted 90th overall in your WHL draft to being drafted 67th overall in your NHL draft. That usually doesn't happen. You usually don't move up the rankings. There's also an interesting twist there for Morgan, because he was not drafted in his first year of NHL eligibility. He was overlooked and then got drafted as a draft plus one, uh, and went 67th overall. Uh, he, he was somebody that didn't get qualified after leaving the Seattle Kraken, meaning that Seattle Kraken did not deem him worthy of continuing to be a Seattle Kraken and they let him go to free agency where the Boston Bruins picked him up and he quickly found a new home. Another piece that's so incredible about his story is that this year in his breakout, huge, huge year, he started in the stands. There was games three, I believe he says, in a row where he was a healthy scratch at the start of this year and look at the way he finished. So there's so many reminders and lessons in this conversation about, you know, perseverance, about your own development path, about finding finding opportunity where others might see problems and, uh, and Morgan is super humble, super forthcoming, uh, it was a really great conversation. Uh, I know Morgan, or was connected through through Morgan, through his dad, craig, who was helping me with my UMH 68 invitational event in Manitoba. Craig is my provincial director there and was able to connect me with Morgan and, yeah, it was an awesome conversation. You know Morgan now, who I've already said you know, owner of 333 NHL games, started with the Carolina Hurricanes, was picked up in an expansion draft by the Seattle Kraken and then picked up in free agency by the Boston Bruins and all systems are looking go for him as he is looking at a nice new, healthy contract here this summer. So, lots of good stuff here. Like a lot of good stuff in this conversation.
Speaker 2:Morgan was kind enough to give us well over an hour of his time. We dive into his development journey as a young man growing up in the town of Strathclair, manitoba which depends on which census you want to look at, it roughly has a population of 700 people, his development there with his family and his brothers. He is the brother of Connor Geeky as well, older brother of Connor, who is a current NHL player and prospect with the Tampa Bay Lightning organization, and is also his other brother, noah, who is playing baseball down in the States. We talk about that. We talk about his time as a Tri-City American. We talk about his time in the AHL, which I think is fantastic for these young guys to have a year or two there to not only grow their game but to also understand and appreciate the value of the NHL when you do get there.
Speaker 2:We talk about everything really about his development path, even how to become a better player at the level that he's at now, some of his, some of his resilience and how he looked at some of the situations throughout his career to to get through and to get to where he, to where he is now as a 33 goal scorer in the NHL. So I really, really enjoyed this interview. I know you will too, and without further ado, let's bring you number 39 of the boston bruins morgan geeky. All right, here we are with boston bruins star forward, morgan geeky. Morgan, welcome to the podcast, man awesome thanks for having me.
Speaker 1:Uh, I'm excited to be here following my my dad's footsteps yeah, well, yeah you.
Speaker 2:I guess you sons, sons of dads are always following in some capacity right of the footsteps. Yeah, that's right. I'm sure he's very proud of the things you've created and surpassed his career, but not so with the podcast. You have not surpassed him with the podcast yet.
Speaker 1:No, I'll have to be a reoccurring guest, maybe, and pass him. There we go there we go.
Speaker 2:Yeah, man, awesome to have you on, super great. I don't even know if you know, but your little bro was on just when he was in WHL. Still, he was a fun guest and now it's great to have you on, especially after the season that you've had. So maybe we'll just start there. I do want to get back to kind of you know, living in small town, manitoba, you know, having the three brothers that you did, and sort of what that was looking like for you. But I'd probably be stupid not to talk about 33 girls right off the bat, like congratulations on a fricking fantastic season. Second, on the Bruins and scoring, talk to me about just where you're at right now and kind of where that season went.
Speaker 1:Yeah, thank you. First of all, I don't really know. I mean it was a whirlwind of a year and started a little uncharacteristically, I guess. You know I got scratched a few times at the start of the year and you know it was kind of just one of those things where you get the full spectrum of the NHL kind of in one season and peaks and valleys, and that's how it is. So you know, I was super happy with my year and unfortunately, you know, we're not still playing.
Speaker 1:I know our team was a lot supposed to be, a lot better than we were, and I thought we had a good group of guys and we're gonna have a good group of guys coming in next year too. But you know it's good. Every season in the NHL is a privilege and, um, I remember getting playing my first game and then my 100th and 200. So it's just one of those things that you look back on and you'll always be able to cherish it and, um, it's something that no one can take away from you. So it's, uh, it's, it was super, super fun experience this year good for you, man.
Speaker 2:Yeah, three, oh 333 games and counting, um, which is awesome, and and I want to get into that for sure, because it is like it's it's a process, it's a total process and there's a lot of things that have to go right, there's a lot of things that players have to get through, and, and for you to even bring that up, you know, in the first part of your sentence, like I want I want my guests to hear that, right, like here, here you are, and I want my guests to hear that, right, like here, here you are.
Speaker 2:And for those of you out there, like I I haven't done the intro yet, so I don't know what it's going to be in it, but I'm going to say this now you look on the goal leaders for the NHL in this past season and you're ahead of Nathan McKinnon, mikko Rantanen, jack Eichel, right like household superstar names, and you are somebody that got scratched at the beginning of the year.
Speaker 2:Yet you know like that is wild for someone to listen to. And you know, and everyone gets stuck in their own system, right, being a bantam and not being on the power play and feeling sorry for yourself and being in major junior, and think you're not getting the minutes. And now here you are, scratched at the beginning of the season. Uh, you know and and at nh, and at NHL, or you know 300, 200, 300 game NHL or scratched, was able to get through that and have the season that you did Like. Just, I mean, if you can explain to me at the start, cause that was not where you thought you would start, that is not the start that you wanted to the season, how did you get through that? And, uh, and, and and prosper.
Speaker 1:Yeah, um, I think for me you know I finished the year really well and playoffs, I thought we played very well. And going back to the start of last year, you know the way that the Bruins ended their record season, everyone thought, with all the turnover and losing all those guys, that it'd be a rebuilding sort of year. And you know, don and Cam and the coaching staff brought everybody in. That was, you know, going to be important to you know, take that next step and kind of rebuild, I guess. And you know we started off like nine and oh, I want to say, and had a really good season. And then playoffs, we played two great opponents. Obviously, we beat the Leafs in game seven that year and then lost to Florida in six and ended up winning Florida in six and I ended up winning.
Speaker 1:But, uh, you know, I went into my summer and started training right away, started skating right away and just like had the itch because that was the the most I've ever contributed to, uh, to a run like that, and I thought my game was trending a lot in the right way. And then, you know, I went through camp and, um, to be honest, I didn't have a great camp. I. I came in prepared for sure it was the most prepared. I'd been just knowing the role that I could have and build on the year prior. So then you know to kind of take a step backward during camp and then things kind of slip away. The first few games and the team not start off very well, it was kind of like an avalanche of things that all just snowballed, maybe out of proportion a little bit. And, yeah, I got. I got scratched in. Colorado was my first one and then, honestly, from there I don't really remember, um, what games I got scratched for.
Speaker 1:But I feel like when you get stuck in those ruts, um, or getting scratched, and you feel like you're kind of just on a hamster wheel going round and round and it's tough to get out of that. Um, you know, I leaned a lot on my support group and, um, the guys were awesome, obviously at the rink and the assistant coaches and marshy and and some other guys in the team. But for me it's like I leaned a lot on my, my family and and close friends and my wife and just tried to get away as much as I could. I feel like when you get in that situation you start nitpicking at everything that has gone wrong and you know where you're at and you kind of get stuck in this time warp almost, whereas it's one of those things that once you take a step back and see the perspective of like, okay, maybe I've been scratched three games in a row, but if you look at it, you know I'm pretty lucky to have played, you know, 200 games in the NHL and and to be in the position where I'm at and um, you know, have a healthy family and a healthy dog and um, just like all the little things, you start to appreciate more and it's it's really tough in that, in that situation, to leave stuff at the rink.
Speaker 1:Um, but for me that was like once I started leaving everything I could at the rink and tried to get away, I almost thought I started playing better because it was like you unfortunately have to start treating it like a job and when it comes to that, especially those situations, you have to understand that you know there's people that work nine to fives, that have bad days at work, and that's just one of those things that I was going through and, um, you know, I was lucky enough to get another shot, um, you know, playing up in the lineup when I came back and just tried to make the most out of my opportunity. You know when it when it came yeah, good for you, man.
Speaker 2:Yeah, one of the things when when I'm when I'm talking with players who are in a similar scenario is like I think there's a fine line and maybe you can speak to that about the idea of, okay, you're not in the lineup, also for a reason deemed by somebody. Right, like somebody deems you not in the lineup, now, that probably means you have to be getting better at something, right, you need to improve some aspect of your game. So, yes, we do need to do the extra, but we can't be there 24 hours a day either, cause that's reality and everyone needs a little bit more of a break. So, like, how did, how do you? How did you balance that in that time? But the art of you know, working on your game while also trying to find a passion and a disconnect from it. What when you left?
Speaker 1:yeah, and I think that's the tough part is you don't want to get too involved in, or too, uh, engulfed in, everything that's going on, especially when you're in that scenario. You know you want to be on the ice all the time and you want to, you know, be working on those things that you know maybe you don't think are up to par or that have went wrong and led to where you are now. But I think for me it was like trying to get the most out of the hours I was there. I think you know you have your routine. When everything's going right, you go and you have a cup of coffee with the guys and kind of shoot it while you're having breakfast and talk with the trainers. But you know you've got to make time for that and be a good teammate and be there for you, for the guys off the ice. But I mean, when it comes time to work, you know if it means, you know getting dressed a little quicker and going out 10, 15 minutes early and you know staying out 10, 10, 15 minutes extra.
Speaker 1:I think that's really all that you need to do in that scenario, you know, and just maybe up the intensity, because at that point you know practices are your games and that's where you're going to improve. And you know coaches notice everything and, as unfortunate as that is sometimes, um, in that case, I remember um, it was like right before I came back into the lineup, um, I think for good at that point. Um, I've had like two or three really good practices in a row and I'm not a notoriously really good practice player, um, so it was nice to see um to get noticed, for that, I guess, is just like the intensity that I was trying to put in and and the effort. So it's good to be able to like learn those things. And now, if I was faced with that situation again, you're already two steps ahead of where you were last time.
Speaker 2:Yeah, a hundred percent. I love that. Like what. What was there? What was there about the training camp? If you were to take a lesson from that that, you would have done different or stopped sooner, or whatever the case may be.
Speaker 1:I think I got a little too worried about maybe producing in the role I was. I remember going in I was kind of slated to play right wing with uh Marshy and Charlie Coyle and you know we had success last year and, um, you kind of just automatically assume that you did well the year prior and, um, things just human nature that you kind of carry things over. But you know it's a long summer, guys get older, you know, um, maybe some injuries over the summer or or just not being prepared. But I think for me it was just like got so wrapped up in trying to produce and, um, you know, when I look back on it now, I remember like we lost a Florida game one of the season.
Speaker 1:Um, we lost like six, three and I had a one timer with like a minute and a half left that I put off the crossbar, um, and it didn't go in. And as soon as it didn't go in I just kind of automatically thought, especially with the way the camp went, I was like, oh boy, this is how this year is going to go. And that was like kind of the wormhole that I started going down already. And it was such a harmless play because it was like I did everything right going into that and you get the opportunity to score and you don't put it in. It's just crazy how things can change. Maybe just try not to get so down on myself. I think I got wrapped up in things that were products of a good on ice product. Just focus on more things away from the puck and get back to playing the right way, instead of just being too wrapped up in producing.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I love you mentioning that. That is totally something that I know that I did personally get back to playing the right way instead of just being too wrapped up in in producing. Yeah, I love you mentioning that. That is totally something that I know, that I did personally, and it's also something that I that I do help some of the junior guys I'm with now is, you know when that, when the results is the focus right, like the scoring or the assist, sometimes it takes, it takes our attention away from what it takes to get the goal Right, like you said, like the details of the game, and so maybe taking two steps back and you know whatever, focusing on on a four check or focusing on puck protection below the goal line is where you create your offense from. So I should make sure that I have the puck down below the boat, below the goal line more, which is now going to give me more opportunities, right? So so it's kind of interesting, when we let our attention go in wrong directions, how it can manifest in problems sometimes.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's crazy and it's tough to get the confidence back when you get to that point. But I think being able to mentally get over that and figure out personally where you need to go from there is something that everybody can learn from and grow, grow from and what a great story for you to have in your, in your resume.
Speaker 2:Now, too, though, like to have a start like that, you know, to be a healthy scratch, to hit that crossbar and have that mental dialogue going on in your head yet to overcome it and then have a career year still, you know in in the same season that that's pretty good. You can look back and that to say say I can, I can conquer this. You know what I mean. If it does happen again, I can get out of it. Um, I love when guys have a, you know, have have their own story that they can relate to and and and refer to.
Speaker 2:Uh, speaking of Boston, I mean I home, you know, and I don't know if that's the way you would put it, but you know from a guy who was traded a ton and all over the place, there are some places where you just feel comfortable and better, um, and it works. You know, and I I saw your game evolve. I thought in the playoffs, uh, again, like last, last year was you really took a step forward as an individual and um and you know, and and it showed it this year as well what?
Speaker 1:what about Boston assuming I'm correct that you, that you've enjoyed your time there, like, what about Boston has been different for you? Um, you know, I'm sure it's a collection of a bunch of things. Um, everyone speaks about the culture there and when I got there, um, obviously the team looked a little bit different when I got there to what it is now, but, um, I just remember going in there. Um, it's one of those places where everything is earned and you don't have to be somebody with a lot of pedigree or somebody that came from something that was above everybody else, like you could be. You know, put up 100 points and you still got to earn your spot on that team.
Speaker 1:You know, when I came in there, it was just about. You know, the culture again is just one of those things where I came into camp and I knew nothing was guaranteed, especially with how the previous years of my career gone and I knew they lost some guys in Boston and you're never going to replace the guys that they lost coming in. But it was just one of those things where you want to fit in and you want to be a Bruin coming in. But it was just one of those things where you want to fit in, you want to be a bruin and you saw how. You know marshy and and coil and, um, you know brando.
Speaker 1:I could go on and on about charlie mcavoy, those guys that, um you know, how they carry themselves at the rink and away from the rink and just how much they care about you know representing the organization and the city for that matter.
Speaker 1:So, um, just a lot of pride and and I think for me it was I felt really valued going in there, and that's one thing they do really well is you could be, you know, a fourth liner on their AHL team or you know a first liner, you know, on the first power play in the NHL and you're still worth the same amount to every guy in there.
Speaker 1:So there's there's no hierarchy or anything like that. It's, it's everything, is's everything is a team. And I think one of the other things that nobody really knows about or it's a little quieter is that everybody that played there and lives there is around the team all the time, and so you know Char is there all the time, bergeron is there all the time, and so all these guys are around the team and just the way they carry themselves and you see the respect that they command around the room and it's just kind of. You see what they built throughout their career and they've earned that and you know they're great people first and foremost. So that kind of just helps set the stage for everybody coming in and you understand, as soon as you walk through those doors, what it's like to be a Bruin.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that's special and that's a. Those are people skills right at the end of the day. Uh, I've told. I've told the story like my, my limited story on the podcast here before about my experience with the detroit red wings. It was like right at the end of my career and I was able to go in there and try out for that team and trying to make the red wings kind of during their heyday and it was exactly what you just said, like it was the most comfortable. I never I played one exhibition game, I think, for them or whatever. I got hurt and that was the end.
Speaker 2:But like that experience, that training camp and being there was unlike any other place that I had been. You know like just how I've, yeah, how respected I felt, you know how valued I felt, how included I was, like all these things that make you feel comfortable, which allow you to play your best hockey are all just people being good people to each other and it seems simple but it's hard in that environment because you mean you've been on other teams and I mean you're not going to disparage any teams you're on, I know, but I know that when I played it felt different in different places. You know it wasn't that way everywhere I went. The NHL felt different in different spots. So is there any lessons in there for you? Like now that you've definitely established yourself as an NHLer, but as you've grown into the place you are now, how does that change the way you operate?
Speaker 1:You know, I think for me I'm kind of at that age where I'm old enough to kind of play both sides of the coin, where you know I get along with the older guys and you know, obviously I grew up watching guys like Marshy and Z and those guys. So you know I'm friends with a little bit of the older guys. But you see, guys come up and Connor, my younger brother, I mean he's those ages, the same age as those kids that are just coming in. Connor, my younger brother, I mean he's the same age as those kids that are just coming in. And I think I do a good job of trying to like bridge that gap a little bit, because I think things have changed. I think with coaching and the way the game's played and it's just something that you know.
Speaker 1:Sometimes there needs to be just a little bit of, you know, teaching, trying to keep guys on the right path.
Speaker 1:And for me it was like you go in there and you know I didn't really say much my first couple of years and you just kind of go in as a young guy and obviously get a little more comfortable, but you try not to step on anybody's toes, but you know I had guys throughout my career, kind of just like you know, keep me on the right path, and I think I'm at the age now where you know things might be a little bit different old school and new school and I think I'm a good combination of that to where I can kind of bridge that gap a little bit. So I think for me it's just trying to make guys comfortable and just have it be fun to come to the rink. I remember, you know, some of the best times I had are practice days or days you don't skate, just hang out with the guys and um, just that's something that I want you know to try and bring to everybody and I think that brings a group closer together as well.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that's great. I'm just going to take a short break from the conversation with Morgan Geeky to give a shout out to Iron Ghost Construction. Iron Ghost where quality and safety lead every build Since 2014, iron Ghost has delivered quality, safe construction, from structure to mechanics, start to finish. Iron Ghost Construction solid, skilled and proven.
Speaker 2:A proud supporter of youth sports in their hometown of Vernon, bc, and beyond, iron Ghost is committed to building more than just structures they're building futures. As a dedicated sponsor to the UMH 68, iron Ghost has provided player scholarships at all four of the UMH 68 events, helping young athletes chase their dream on and off the ice. Yes, special thank you to Iron Ghost for stepping up as a platinum sponsor for the UMH 68. Very, very involved in youth sports Want to give back to the program and to young athletes everywhere who want to be better and want to chase their dreams, and that is the company, or companies like that, that I want to align with. So thank you to Iron Ghost. I know there's a lot of families out there that are able to come to the UMH 68 this year because of your support. I know there's a lot of families out there that are able to come to the UMH 68 this year because of your support. And again, if there's anyone out there in the oil and gas, forestry or minerals industry that needs a construction project, iron Grost is somebody you should be definitely looking up.
Speaker 2:Now let's get back to the conversation with Morgan Geeky.
Speaker 2:I want to talk about new school, old school I'm going to make a note on that. But I think your connection of how the generationality, let's call it of the NHL Because there are guys, the studs, stick around to their 30s, right To their late 30s, and when the younger guys come in, you know, an established NHLer kind of comes in 21, 22 and you might have a 32-year-old there that is like that gap, that 10-year gap. In the real world isn't really that much, but when you've been watching these guys as a 10-year-old right to the time that they're 30, you've watched them play in the NHL for 10 years and now you're a part of the club, it is surreal in a lot of ways. You know, um, can you talk about that like that, that that idea of having these guys that are on posters and hockey cards for you that you're now peer group with, and then getting from the spot of potentially looking up to them. I'm sure you still do, but then feeling somehow that you're equal. You're supposed to be there like these.
Speaker 1:This is your competition yeah, um, you know it's it's very tough to describe to non-hockey people, I think, for sure, or non-sports people. But you know, in the hockey world it's crazy. I think when I was in Carolina 05, but kind of slid under the radar and I remember getting drafted and didn't really know much about them as an organization. And then you spend a few years in the league and you go to we went to Seattle and obviously they had the expansion and there was a wide range of players picked from prospects to older guys and you know our captain was Mark Giordano and you know Jordan Eberle was on that team, jaden Schwartz. So for me going there it was a little different. I think I'd only played like, I want to say like 70 games maybe at that point. And you know I played a few games with Jordan Eberle and I remember coming home and I was telling my wife and I can tell the story now because me and Ebs are good buds and then our wives are really good friends too but I'd come home and be like I don't know if I can play with this guy, it's just like because you know him as somebody else. That's just high and above where you are and you're like I've never been good enough to play in the NHL. I don't know why I'm playing with this guy now and it's definitely a mental hurdle to get over and you don't want to mess up because you're like I want to prove that I belong here. But you know you're playing with somebody that, um, you watch score the the world junior goal against russia. So it's just like you, you do those things.
Speaker 1:Then when I went to boston, it's the same sort of thing. You know, know I, uh, I got introduced to Marshy and Dave and, um, I was like I know who you guys are. I'm sure you don't know who I am, but it's just different. And now that I've been here a few years in Boston, you get to understand that. Uh, you know they're just guys like me and and at one point they were all young guys coming in trying to, trying to break into the league and and they're trying to help me as much as you know I want to stick.
Speaker 1:So it's tough to uh, to practice that scenario or like, or maybe understand it if you don't live it. But I think the biggest one is just like, understand that, uh, we're just all, all guys at the. You know, at the end of it and, um, away from the rink, everybody gets along and it. I've been in the nhl for, you know, four or five years now and you don't meet too many bad guys and you can kind of, you know, call up on anyone. I'm sure you've kind of figured that out even through the rest of your hockey career where it's just like you meet a lot of good people and and you can, you know, build those relationships for after the game. So, um, you know, at the of the day it's a lot bigger than hockey. You just maybe get a little too wrapped up in it, for good reason, you know, during your career.
Speaker 2:Yeah, no, I, I, yeah, I love like the lesson there, I think, is like those guys let's say Jordan Eberle, for instance, who now you're you, who you just play with him, and an ultra superstar in the NHL If they made it uncomfortable, it would be that much harder because they could, if they wanted to, right Like they are in a control position because of what they've accomplished in their career highlights and stuff, and that matters.
Speaker 2:You know, and that's one thing that I think is really, really important, and that's whether you're on a U13 team or an NHL team is, you know, that idea of team and camaraderie and how do we allow each other to play their best? And that is one of them, right, like being supportive in that scenario. So I'm I love that you bring that up, because I do think that that's a fun piece of it for me and I and I think again like a 30 year old journeyman coming into Troy, that was the best I ever felt, like I I knew I was going to play my best hockey there, because I felt like I belong there and they made me feel that way. It wasn't because I changed my mindset about it, right, they helped me feel that way.
Speaker 1:Yeah, no, it's and it's. It's definitely one of those things that I think um definitely helped shape you as a player and, more importantly, a person. But you're right, it helps build your confidence and if they allow you to go out there and make mistakes and, um, you know, play the right way. Obviously you're there for a reason. They're not just going to put any Joe Schmo with them. So you have to understand that you belong there and they feel like you belong there and, uh, just do your best to go out and play your game.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that's a good one too. I was going to say that, thanks for saying that. Like, somebody thought you were supposed to be there. Right, somebody put you there for a reason and if there is any kind of waning self-belief about that, like trust the opinion of that person in that scenario, right, like, yes, I am supposed to be here, cause that is a tough transition, you know, even stepping foot from the HL to the NHL. I mean that that initial idea is, like am I ready? Am I supposed to be here? Supposed to be here? Who am I to be here? There's a lot of self-doubt that can creep in. So, um, I do think some there's different ways to go about that, to start creating, creating that confidence. Uh, tell me, though, like from this scenario I, the names I mentioned that you were ahead of. Like how does that sound that you scored more goals than Mikko Ratnan this year? You scored more goals than Jack Eichel, like that's so freaking cool in my head. How does that work in your head?
Speaker 1:To be honest, I haven't thought about it at all. I've been told a couple times that that's how things played out. I was like I don't know if they played all the games this year. It's just one of those things where I just try to keep my head, you know, or keep my game, you know, in my lane and I, I, obviously I watch the hockey.
Speaker 1:I'm a big fan of hockey and I've watched a lot of the playoffs and um, those guys to me, are still like, above and beyond, um, the player I am right now and um, you know, I think that just kind of, in this league there's a lot of things that you can always do to grow. And you know, you see the way that you know McKinnon skates, or Ranton plays, and Eichel, and all those guys you just mentioned, it's like they bring so many different things to the game where it's like they could score 20 goals and still bring an impact to the game every night. And you see that, and you know, it's like mcdavid scored 60 or 50 and it's like he scores 20 or 30 and we still treat him the same. You know, every game we play him. It's not like, oh, he's got 60 goals now, like, um, we got to keep an extra, an extra guy on him. It's like it doesn't matter who it is. It's like if 97 is on the ice, there's one, maybe two guys on him.
Speaker 1:So, um, it's just about growing your game and being able to be an impact player, and I had a lot of things go right for me this year, towards the end especially. But, yeah, it's just, it's definitely cool for sure, and, looking back on it, if you would have told me that that would have happened this year, I don't know if I would have believed you, but you know, it's something super cool and, like I said, lot of these uh accomplishments you don't think of, but I think when you look back on it and your kids look back on it, it's pretty cool. So, um, you know I'm I'm a bigger fan of hockey as anybody else, so it's cool to say that it's cool.
Speaker 2:Well, it's the social proof, like and I kind of brought that up almost for the reaffirmation, reaffirmation just even for yourself, right, like sometimes we won't believe it, right until it actually happens. Now that it's happened, it is something that needs to be absorbed and digested and maybe allows even another step, right, like, yeah, I do belong, right, and I am a goal scorer in this league and I be a 30 goal guy and will be a 30 goal guy Sometimes. That that mental manifestation is needed as well, right? So, anyways, I think that's cool. Congratulations on that. Maybe it's a good time to to just veer back a little bit and go back to the grassroots aspect of it.
Speaker 2:One thing I love about your story, because my kids are all going through that WHL age, now draft and everything else, so I'm a little bit more, let's say, absorbed in it and the stats and seeing what's going on. And for yourself to be I think it was what I wrote down here 90th overall to Tri-Cities, which was a fifth round selection, to moving up in the NHL draft to being a 67th third round selection is not something that happens very often. So I just kind of would like to talk about maybe that, you know. I mean like the idea of how you got there, where you felt you were at as a bantam, like what kind of hockey were you playing at the time? Did you? Did you want to be in any a player? Was that something that was on the radar for you?
Speaker 1:yeah, um, I think, coming from a smaller center the way I did, I think you're kind of sheltered to just how good players are, especially in the age group that I was in. Um, so going into the Bantam draft, um, I honestly had no idea and maybe that was my dad's doing, just not really telling me anything and, um, I think it all worked out for the better, so it's fine. But I mean, you get, we used to get I don't know what it's like now, but we used to get like the questionnaires. I mean, you get, we used to get I don't know what it's like now, but we used to get like the questionnaires. You get the emails and you fill out like all these things and you get like 10 of them and you're you always wonder in the back of your mind like, oh, who's getting these? And it was an interesting process, for sure. And I wanted to play in the Western League. I think you know, growing up, watching the Brandon Weekings was was our team and they, brandon weakings, was was our team and, yeah, they had the memorial cup there, which was really cool when I was growing up. So I think when you go through that process at least for me, it was just like my parents, at least, didn't really put much pressure on it, um. So I obviously knew when it was happening and I I felt I was good enough to get drafted. I didn't know when it was, um, and I hadn't really told anyone if I was going to go college or if I was going to go junior. So it was just one of those things that was going to happen when it happened. And I think I was in school at the time and I thought it was Prince George initially, because my, I think one of my teachers had told me it was Prince George, but they traded the pick I guess the year prior or something, so a little bit of confusion, but it was all good. And yeah, guess the year prior or something, so a little bit of confusion, but it was all good. And uh, yeah, after that, I mean it was good.
Speaker 1:I missed my first camp. I went to baseball nationals my 15 year old year and then a 16 year old year I um got cut. It was like after the first exhibition tournament, um. I went back to play u18s and then I made it as a 17 year old um, and that was kind of honestly the same story as this year where I, you know, was scratched at the start of the year, playing six, eight minutes a night, and then towards the end of the year, um, my coach, who's uh, you know, honestly one of my favorite coaches and I thought mike williamson, he helped kind of shape me into more of a professional player and, um, you know, kind of move me up in the lineup towards the end of the year and I grew my game there and then had a really good year, my 18 year, um, which was the year I got drafted. So I got drafted the year to the nhl.
Speaker 1:The year after I was eligible, um, so I didn't get drafted my first year and after that happened I kind of was like, hey, well, I'll just go to school. And you know, my now wife was going to school at University of Regina, she was playing hockey there and I kind of just like in the back of my mind I was like, all right, well, I'll just play up my WHL. They got a good scholarship program and we'll go from there. And then I think honestly, at that point, when you stop worrying so much about the outcome, it helps a little bit with the On Ice product and I had a really good year, my 18 year, and got drafted to Carolina and then, yeah, it's kind of led me across the country back and forth and I've kind of been everywhere now, but it's good.
Speaker 2:Well, it's okay, so I love that again.
Speaker 2:So I didn't even realize that that didn't play as a 16 year old, uh, obviously baseball was a big piece of what you were doing at the time, or even the 15 year old camp.
Speaker 2:And now your, your dad spoke about that on on the interview with him and he was pretty impressed with how supportive Tri-City was. But just even where you were at as a player and as an athlete, right, like that you, you, this was still important to you, right, and that was an important thing to to keep a part of uh, but didn't play at 16. Like that's the end of the world for some of these guys right now. Right, not playing as a 16 year old, uh, and and then again and playing as a rookie and then not getting drafted in your draft year, that's the end of the world. Again, the road's over, uh, just speak about that like your timeline and how your timeline worked out to be a timeline that was successful for you yeah, um, I think, when I was so, I came in as a 16 and I mean, I was drafted at like 5, 10, like 135.
Speaker 1:I was tiny, like I hadn't really grown and, um, really light. And then, um, when I was 16, I went I think it was the tri-city always had like the preseason tournament in um, seattle, so there was like five, six teams. I remember playing like two, three games and I was like this is really fast, guys are really big, and, um, I played a game at 15. At 15, I remember um, and I don't remember much from it. That was with Tri-City. So at the end of the year I played one game and then came in full-time as a 16 to try and make the team and I just remember being like I don't know if I could do this, like I was kind of just um, overwhelmed and uh, maybe a little, you know, scared of the rejection, of being cut, and I remember texting my dad being like I don't know if I can play here and it was just a lot of like not knowing and I think it ended up being really good for me not to go. I think you see a lot of guys get rushed in situations, especially maybe highly touted prospects or guys that are kind of in a different situation, right, and that are kind of in a different situation, right, and that's not always the best for development. And I think you see it in the NHL too, where you know they rush guys to the NHL because they're a high pick or they come out of college and they're like I'm not going to go to the American League. And you know, I think being I guess, humble is a word, I guess but just having an open mind to being like maybe I'm not ready, and that was a big one for me and I still got cut, I still didn't make the team as a 16 year old and I played maybe nine games that year or so and I remember going in at Christmas is when I played a game in Prince George and I felt like I had so much more confidence, just ready to to play, um, more apt to the competition and just like getting puck touches in my skills and and one more year of just getting stronger and a little bit faster and developing my game more definitely, you know, helped me do that as a when I became a full-time junior player at 17 and, um, when I became a full-time junior player at 17.
Speaker 1:And you know it's hard, I think. Every level you go up when you obviously you go first line to fourth line and you work your way up to the first line hopefully, and you go back to the fourth line. So I think physically and mentally it's tough, especially going you know, I was playing in U18s, I was playing 25 minutes a night and you're going out every other shift and that's all you're used to. And then trying to go into junior as a 17 year old and be a difference maker in eight minutes is it just helps you grow your game.
Speaker 1:But you know, mentally it's a struggle and I think that's where I kind of get into like, okay, well, maybe I'll just go to school, maybe I'm not cut out for this and um, you know it's, it's hockey's a, you know, mentally tough sport and especially when there's other people making the decisions for you, you know, based on your playing time and stuff. So I wouldn't change anything that I've done to be where I'm at. You know I didn't don't need to be a first round pick and I think you understand that when you get here, that it doesn't matter how you get here, it doesn't matter how long you've been here. It's that when you get here, that it doesn't matter how you get here, it doesn't matter how long you've been here. It's like you can say you're in the nhl and it's all the work that you've put into this and um you know a lot of it's luck, but you know hard work will, will go a long way.
Speaker 2:Yeah, what a great. I mean so as a 17 year old 25 points in 66 games. And it's not all about the stat line, of course, and you know minutes and opportunity mean a lot with that. But to your point, like the next year, the year you did get drafted as a draft plus one, uh, 90 points, you know 65 point difference.
Speaker 1:Uh, there had to be something in your game that changed as as well as I, I would assume, like the, the person and or or the, or the physical, the physical size too, like what was the biggest difference there, to have that great big leap um, I'm sure getting bigger, stronger was a big one, um, and my dad always says, like it's an 18 year or sorry, 17 year old rookie league where it's those are the kids that really make a difference in the league and obviously there's exceptions to the rule and you see, then, you know that mechanic kid now that's better than any player I've ever seen in the western league. But, um, you know, I think for me it was just confidence and, um, you know, mentally, I finished the year really strong. We didn't make the playoffs, um, which you know maybe was a blessing in disguise to get a longer summer and get, you know, stronger. And, and I came into camp and I just knew, you know it was a lot of self-confidence, just to be like I know I can compete and play and be a difference maker. And, uh, you know Mike Williamson I mentioned him before but, um, he kind of just pulled me aside and said like, uh, there's a lot of potential, there's a lot of room to grow, but it's something that you have to kind of, you have to grab the bull by the horns and and take it, and I think you know.
Speaker 1:So, like, selfishly, I was like I grew a lot that year and it's just like you face problems you didn't have to face, but I think when you start to see your game grow and trend in the right direction, it's, it's good. So, um, I think for me the main main one was confidence and just being given the opportunity to, you know, grow as a player.
Speaker 2:That's awesome. So how did that? How was that whole draft experience for you? You know, meeting a third rounder is obviously a lot of I mean discussions, I would assume, and phone calls and interviews, and from going not on the radar and, you know, not feeling great about it, I'm sure to be be in one of the guys. That must have been a fun journey as well.
Speaker 1:It was good yeah, honestly, it was probably a good thing that I was a draft plus one, just because, like you don't, there's no pressure at all at that point and I just kind of went out and played. I was never like, okay, well, I got to be a top ten player or I got to be a first-round pick. I got to be a top 10 player or I got to be a first round pick. There was never that I guess goal or stress or weight of anything on me. I just kind of went out and played and you know it was good. You know, as the year went I was having a little bit of success. It was just you get a few phone calls and my agent at the time, you know, would reach out with a few things and it was good.
Speaker 1:I went to the Combine, which was a really cool experience. It's very intimidating when you go in, especially just the way they have it set up in Buffalo. Everything's all connected. They don't tell you but they only space the interviews 15, 20 minutes apart. Teams don't really care how long the interviews go. Some teams have the timer for 14 minutes At the Key Bank. Everything's in a circle.
Speaker 1:So you could have one with the new york islanders on the uh, the east side and you have to go all the way over to the west side at, you know, five minutes later and um, it's super stressful, it's a great experience and and they don't tell you that stuff. So it's like, if you're late for the interview, it's not, it's not your, it's not the team's fault, it's your fault. So, um, you know, it's not, it's not your or it's not the team's fault, it's your fault. So, um, you know it's always fun, um, looking back on it now, like how much stress and uh, how important that was. But I think, like it's such a great experience and um, obviously it's one of those things that not everyone gets to say they did, but looking back on it, I think you know I improved a lot.
Speaker 1:You know, speaking wise, um, um, just how to carry myself as a pro and um, teams put a lot of weight on that stuff, and um, how you are off the ice and um, it was lots of fun. So, uh, to do it as a, as a guy that wasn't supposed to be there was, uh, maybe a little awkward because you see, all these guys that are like highly touted prospects and some of your buddies that are, um, you know, I've always been there, but you know, it kind of just proves that you know if they're, if you're out there and you're good, they'll find you. Like, it's just one of those things that there's not. There's not a lot of players that slip through the cracks, especially in in a sport like this in Canada.
Speaker 2:Yeah, for sure, what you mentioned, your agent there and that's one thing that I get asked about all the time and you know when do you get one, or when should you, and if somebody isn't fine trying to find you, is there a problem? And you know, I mean all this kind of stuff, uh, that people get wrapped up in. What was your process like for finding an agent and when did you do it?
Speaker 1:yeah, so we got our first agent, um, me and connor actually had the same agency. Uh, when we were I think I was going into the just after the bantam draft maybe I didn't have one for the bantam draft, um, and then connor had the same one, I think a little bit earlier, just because the family aspect was already there, um, but yeah, I mean it was more of a handshake thing than anything and, um, it was just one of those things where we kind of had an agreement and and obviously, you're not making any money, we weren't, we weren't, you know, paying anything to have him work. He was more of an advisor, I guess, and he definitely kept us on the right path, especially the Western League, and I'm definitely thankful that I had one, I guess. But I mean, I agree, I feel like now everyone needs an agent, everyone needs an advisor, and you're paying thousands of dollars to these guys, but there's only so much you can do at that age.
Speaker 1:Um, I do think it's important, but it's just one of those things where, like I said earlier, you know they'll, if you're good, they'll find you, and and it's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when. So, um, I definitely advise as you get going up the ranks and, um, you know, get into junior hockey. You may need need one, but you know, playing U18, u16 is just one of those things that you know it's not crazy important. And in my opinion, I'm also 26, don't have a kid. I'm pretty well versed in the hockey community.
Speaker 2:Well, yeah, exactly so as far as value provided like what do you think would be be value, like what? Why parents maybe should consider or be looking, or maybe not be looking like what would be your, your suggestion in that where's the benefits and maybe not the benefit?
Speaker 1:um, you know, I think the benefits are, you know, especially with a reputable agent, those guys are very well versed and you know everything behind the scenes, whether that's you know camps or or scouts, different things like that, and they can maybe get you an in. And I know we had like a scouting camp almost where they brought all the agency guys in and had camps there and scouts come in and watch everybody. So it's definitely good for exposure. But I mean what you guys are doing with the Up my Hockey thing, and you know I'm going back to hockey thing and, um, you know I'm going back to help my dad for his, you know, this weekend.
Speaker 1:Um, I see the exposure that kids get now, especially with social media and everything Like it doesn't seem like it's that hard to get out there, especially with great programs like like your guys. So, um, I mean it's, it's one of those things that it's like if you want to, you can, and if you're nervous about you're going to miss out on things, then sure, but it's not the be-all, end-all, I wouldn't say, of a kid's hockey career and I think some people put a little bit too much stress on it.
Speaker 2:Yeah, a little bit ego-driven too, I find right, like who they're with and do you have one or not? Yeah, have one or not. And uh, yeah anyways to anyone out there.
Speaker 2:I think you know that no one's going to get you drafted, I think that's like that's how some people think right, like they're not going to get you drafted, like if you, if you find a good relationship, that you value the relationship, I think it's, I mean, I would, I would kind of push people that way. I don't know how you feel about that, morgan, but like if you value, like the phone call and if you value the, the conversation, the input, input more as an inner circle type person someone to share with, I think that is the relationship. It should be relationship driven, not necessarily results driven. For sure, because if you're in it for a result, you're probably going to be disappointed, and if they're telling you they can give you a result, they're probably also not telling the truth.
Speaker 1:Yeah, no, I think that's totally correct and the relationship, I think, is the big one. Yeah, no, I think that's totally correct and the relationship, I think, is the big one, because you know agents are normally in it for the long haul, if that's the thing you're into, and being able to, you know, call them up whenever you need or just have that the comfort of a phone call when you need one is super important in that process, for sure.
Speaker 2:So making that move for you from well, first off to to ask you I played in spokane for four years. I see that you were in tri the whole time and and we, we back in the 90s, had the biggest rivalry in whl, at least according to the referees that I talked to. Uh, you know, like they were waiting to mark their calendars in the western conference to see if they would play, uh, get assigned the spokane tri-cities games. Uh, did that? Did that rivalry still exist in your time there?
Speaker 1:Yeah, it was huge. I mean we played them. You play so many times in teams like the US division and I mean we played every game. New Year's Eve was always in Tri-City, I don't know if it was like that, so that was like you always look forward to that one, just because it was so nuts and Tri-City we got. The fans that were there were great, but we didn't very often sell out a crowd, I wouldn't say, but we always sold out that game, at least when I was there.
Speaker 1:So it was just like one of those things and I think when you come in the older guys, I mean you same way for you, it's just like the older guys hate them, so you hate them and it's just it's so fun to play and, um, we had so much fun, um, during those games. They were so good too. They had the Yamamoto brothers and um, I know some guys that played there before I was there. Same thing. It's like they hated coming to Tri-City because the rink sucked and it's like you. I know how bad your guys locker room was, the away locker room, but it's like we love playing there and the fans were great and kids taking off their shirts for Cotton Eye, joe, and it was awesome. So it's one of those things, those rivalries, that I don't think will ever get old for sure.
Speaker 2:It's only two hours down the road.
Speaker 2:I know that was wild. It's funny. You bring that game up because one of the years there and I can't remember which one, but we got shit kicked on that New Year's Eve game and our, we got shit kicked in on that new year's Eve game and, uh, our coach at the time it was Brian Maxwell, so I guess it was would have been one of my first two years there. He, we weren't allowed. Like new year's Eve, like you said, right, so everyone's, you know has something going on after the after. You know, when you get home there's a party you're lights on. We weren't allowed to talk. There was no, there was no, nothing.
Speaker 2:So like it was, it was like, legitimately, I remember being underneath the going trying to go to sleep in the bus and it's like happy new year, happy new year, like that's. That's the way. Like we were. It was like, oh, one of those junior memories that, uh, that you never forget. But uh, yeah, good stuff, we, we played any funny you say that I think we played tri-cities 20 some times one year, like when you considered like three or four times or five times an exhibition, right, like the nine times or whatever it was in the league, and then we had a seven game series with them and uh yeah, and it was a freaking war.
Speaker 1:It's a bloodbath every time, yeah, every time. No, it's great, it's, it's uh, it's a story and like the fans love it too, like it's not just a player thing, it's like it's everybody in the building, so it's lots of fun what about the step to uh to the nhl?
Speaker 2:I know the first pro camp is usually a pretty big eye-opener, you know, um, as far as like being around nhl players as a young teenager, right, and seeing that uh and speak to that if you want to. But I think you know putting on that being an ahl and being a pro is is is a whole new world, other than the WHL, even though the WHL prepares you really well for that league. It is a different, it is a different level. So, yeah, talk to me about, about either your first camp experience or maybe that being a pro for the first time.
Speaker 1:Yeah, uh, I mean it's definitely an eyeopening experience and um, it's, I mean it's everything that you kind of dream of as a kid, I guess. I mean you go in there to, you have development camp, um, but it's just normally prospects and some some guys that have been there a few times and you go to the actual camp and, um, we went in like a couple days early for rookie camp, so you kind of it's the same feeling as development camp and you're a little more comfortable. And then you see, like the nhlers walk in and you know this is their job. I mean, they're putting food on the table for their families and it's their livelihood and it's one of those things. That's a super eye-opening experience. And um, you realize how quick it gets and I think for me the first like couple practices were just like how crisp everything was. Um, my guys just don't miss passes, guys, you know, don't screw up drills, and execution is just like so clean every time and as a guy coming from junior, obviously it's a lot faster.
Speaker 1:Um, so, like the first pro camp, I remember um like our first couple practices. I think we had bill peters there um the first year, second year and he was like notorious for not using a board, he would just like point at the ice and kind of draw his drills, like if you didn't know the drills, you didn't really know anything. And um, even his morning skates like my first morning skate with him he kind of just was shouting drills and I'm like I have no idea what this guy's doing at all. So I'm getting in the back of the line just like continually, like you know, getting to the back, can't figure it out and um, it's crazy to look back on now because I'm like how do you not understand what's going on?
Speaker 1:But it's just like the pressure and you're so nervous and, uh, everyone's so good and and, like you'd said, like you see these guys that you watched on tv, um, you know, growing up, so it's just like one of those things where, uh, it's it's an eyeopening experience but it's super fun.
Speaker 1:I mean, um, you walk into their locker room, they got the Bauer tent set up and they got the CCM and the warrior, and you see all these things as a kid where it's like, uh, you're not paying for sticks anymore and, um, you kind of get to pick your custom curve and get your name on your stick and um, it's just like you know it's. It's when you take a step back and realize where you, where you came from as a hockey player. It's one of those things where it's like you just try to take it all in and even looking back like I'm only 26,. But it's like you look back on it as a 19, 18, 19 year old and it's like, wow, it's, you've come a long way and it's, it's a lot of fun and you maybe take that for granted during the process.
Speaker 2:Sure, what was your big takeaway as far as the game? I know you said execution, but on a personal level, like for you, for you to not make the team that first year and I don't know what your expectations were like with that. If they mean if that's really where you thought you should be or what your you know where your heart was at. But you ended up being in the AHL when was? Where was your individual game at compared to compared to where you were playing?
Speaker 1:Um, I think for me it was the speed of the game.
Speaker 1:Uh, I was never like a fast skater, um, never really big on like the power skating or whatever, and I kind of relied a lot on my brain and a lot of my shot and, uh, you know some skills like that and I think that goes a long way, cause, I think, you know, to me anyways, hockey's getting a lot faster, it's getting a little bit dumber, it's a little more straight line and, um, you know, there's a lot of skill in the game, just maybe not as much IQ as as there should be, in my opinion.
Speaker 1:Um, and so being able to do those things is like one thing, but being able to do them at a high speed is another. So, you know, if you can't keep up, it's tough to do anything. And you see guys like Mark Stone and how well he thinks the game and you know plays well on both sides of the puck, but how much he's had to work on his skating to be, you know, an impact player and stanley cup champion and things like that, where, um, you got to figure out ways to, you know, stick at that next level, and for me at that time it was just like I got to improve my skating and that was always like my big thing through the draft growing up. I was just never a good skater. Um, so just try to improve as much as I could at that, while trying not to take away from other things.
Speaker 2:Right, Awesome. What was your process to improve that? How did you focus on that? Because I do think and I'll just preface this with the idea that sometimes kids get told where deficiencies may lay, but then they're not really told the recipe card for how to do that. So what was your recipe card for improving it?
Speaker 1:card for how to how to do that, you know. So what was your recipe card for for improving it? Uh, for me it was just, um, I think one of them was being able to change speeds. Was one just being able to speed up a little bit and slow down? Um, you know, if you're always slow, it's pretty easy to play defense against you, and same thing if you're always fast, you understand what's coming.
Speaker 1:But for me, I had a good power skating experience in carolina. They helped me a lot. And then the skills coach there, uh, sergey sanford I guess he wasn't skills coach, he was, uh, player development. But uh, I dropped an eyelid on my skate and that was like the one big thing. That was like, wow, this is so much easier, because I remember growing up I would just cinch my skates tight like all the way to the top. My, my dad was the only one that could do them, because he was the only one I could do them tight enough, and, um, that's how I did it all growing up.
Speaker 1:And then, you know, I got to pro and they're like it was the new thing to like drop an eyelet. I'm like I don't really feels uncomfortable, it feels like my it's gonna fall on my skate. And one practice I just decided to do it and that's like been the the be all end all of my skating journey, like that way, just being able to get into positions a little better and then, um, a lot of strength training, just getting stronger. And I think that comes with maturity, like um, just being able to like feel your body more and you see how, like, the really good skaters are all pretty smooth, um, so it's like trying to get to that point where it's just like you don't want to. You want to make it as effortless as possible so you can put more focus on to other areas of the game this episode is powered by biosteel, the hydration choice trusted by pros and parents alike.
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Speaker 2:As a listener of the Up my Hockey podcast, you also have access to BioSteel, and at a discounted rate using the UMH68 promo code. If you get to the BioSteel website. We also have the affiliate link in the show notes. So if you want to look at the show notes, check out the affiliate link there, use that, get to BioSteel and use the UMH68 promo code. You will get 20% off your order. That is one way to say thank you to me and to Up my Hockey and to the sponsors of the UMH68. It's amazing when sponsors want to step up and be involved in a great event. You know, obviously they can. They have a lot of options, and so when they choose something like the UMH 68 and they choose Up my Hockey as a platform for them to align with, it is very helpful for someone like me to show some love back to them. And that means you as a listener of the Up my Hockey podcast or as an attendee of the UMH 68 Invitational, or if you have been touched by Up my Hockey in any way. And guess what? If you drink hydration products and you want to look after yourself, why not choose BioSteel and use the promo code? It lets them know that you know what this vehicle of Up my Hockey is, someone that BioSteel should be happy to partner with, because we are saying that, yes, we approve BioSteel, we enjoy the podcast, we want to give back to the sponsors that are being a part of this event. So, yeah, it's one way to say thanks. It's also a great way to get a discount on, off of regular pricing. And, yeah, biosteel thanks you, I thank you and your athlete will thank you. So, again, umh68 is the promo code for 20% off the affiliate link, which I think is helpful to me. If you use that, it just makes sure that it gets registered to our account. Use that. It's in the show notes and thank you, biosteel, for being a part of the Up my Hockey group. Now let's get back to the conversation with Morgan Geeky.
Speaker 2:The ankle flexion and the foot strength. And I don't know, like if that is in your training repertoire, but it sure has been just in my own house and even with me personally. Like I'm into the barefoot shoe thing, yeah, I'm into like the individual foot balance board thing. Now, like to be able to have and maintain strength and and uh and stability through your foot is I think that's like to me. That's like to me. That's like the un on, like people aren't doing that, like players aren't doing that, like it's it's you're in your skates and you're doing squats and doing all these things, but can your foot actually work properly? And I think there's a lot of power in there that guys aren't finding.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and I mean the big examples they use are like crosby and mcdavid, like all these guys, like how much ankle flexion they get on their skates, and obviously everyone's built differently, like legs are different sizes, shins are different lengths and it's all going to come into play. But I mean you might as well learn from the best when it comes to things like that. And I totally agree, it's like you would never think that it's important because you have your foot in your boot the whole time and you kind of overlook it. But it's like if you can learn to use it and and be able to, you know, move your skate back and forth.
Speaker 1:I remember reading, like the that hudson kid in montreal. His dad was like making him go out with their skates loose and just like mess around with their skates and I was like I might start doing that, just for something to try. I was like if you watch him skate and how well he moves laterally and how good of a skater he is, it's like why wouldn't you try things like that Just to? You may never be as good as he will, but you know any helps good help.
Speaker 2:So yeah, I agree, I agree, yeah, and when I, when I, when I'm talking with players, it's like, well, especially at your guys's level, the power distribution across the blade of your skate does matter.
Speaker 2:You know 100% when it comes to edges or whatever, and if and if we're talking like like 1% is like a big game where you guys are at, you know, if you can find that little edge right, that incremental increase, uh that's huge, you know, and that can be, and that can make the difference. So I, I do think when guys curious about their development, even at the level you're at, you mean it, it totally helps. And I think that, uh, you talk about the culture piece that's what I've heard a time and time again too is when you get into these environments, uh, you know these professional, high-performance NHL environments, where the culture is right, the guys are always trying to find something right, like and you're looking over your shoulder at what Jimmy's doing down there and Johnny's doing and kind of sharing secrets, and you know and and trying to and trying to just get better all the time, and I think that's a that's an exciting environment to be in, you know, a growth environment.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and, and that's one big thing I think I've learned Uh, I mean everywhere professionally. It's just like there's no secrets anywhere and especially on teams like that's, the end goal for everyone is to win a championship. And, uh, we won in charlotte my first year, so it was that was a super cool experience as a pro. Um, just a good entry way and you kind of get every aspect of the game. But, um, you know, guys are always out to help other guys. There's nobody gatekeeping any secrets or, you know, not telling you or sharing information with you. It's just like I'm trying to help you as much as you can like. Uh, you know I learned so much from Dave this year, pastor Mac, sorry, just like things that I'd never thought of before that make total sense when you think about them.
Speaker 1:But I could give a couple examples. It's just like he's like I like playing with a righty all the time, and he played with Bergeron, he played with Krejci, like all these righties, and I never understood why. And and he's like if you play with two lefties, you, you have a one-timer on every side all the time. So it's like you given, if you give a pass lefty to lefty, there's always a one-timer and that's a lot more common than it is to play with two righties on the line. So he said like all growing up I played with righties and things like that and it it's like you see in his game just the ability to make plays.
Speaker 1:You know, laterally you can't do that with a lefty. I mean you can, I guess, but it doesn't attribute to much or the chances and as high as it is with a righty and that like leads into you know a one timer a lot of the time. So I think like I improved my one timertimer a lot. I try to learn a lot from him that way. Um, the way he hides pucks on his stick, like when he's passing, and like just all these things that like all you have to do sometimes is ask his guys will tell you and they might not be able to tell you, you know exactly how to do it, but they'll show you what they do and, um, you know everybody's trying to learn all the time. So it's just like I'm trying to stick around as long as I can and any little bit of information helps.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that's great. Did you happen to see that Granlin shot where he rolled his wrist over and like lost the top hand on a stick? Did you see that?
Speaker 1:I don't know if I did. Was that in the playoffs?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think I did yeah.
Speaker 2:I understand what you're saying. Yeah, yeah, my kids and I broke it down. It was pretty wild because he was like to me and I think it was very obvious to the goalie that he was going low right, like probably five-full, and then, as he was rolling the puck down his stick to open up that blade to then have it go top shelf. It's like oh god, the mastery and the and you know the time spent to, you know to have the timing of that but like talk about deception. You know and you know you're talking about Pasternak doing that with his passes, like they're you to do to to execute it at the level you guys are at, with the pace and how good everyone is also trying to defend. Like all those little things make such a big difference yeah, no, it, no, it's, it's crazy.
Speaker 1:I mean, and he's told me he's like you've probably seen a shootout goals where he like tucks it behind his back, skate kind of, and like I can't even like try to do it with the curve I have. I got a couple of his curves to like see if I can maybe add something. But you see the way he does. I'm like where did you learn that? Like, how you see the way he does. I'm like where did you learn that? Like, how do you decide that you're just going to like put the puck behind you and almost like sweep it back to the strong side? And he's like have you watched? Like those floorball guys, like they, they do like the where they have it on the toe and they just sling it around and then they whip it in the net.
Speaker 1:He's like that's where I learned. It is like, if they can do it like you hide it behind your skate, almost so it's like the goalie's got to look around and if he leans over to his glove side, you go back, blocker. It's like you're already gaining an advantage on that so you can learn to shoot it from there. I mean, you see it in his passes he does the same sort of thing, like off that one leg, um, so it's just like a lot of these things that you'd never think about, but it's like there's no secrets.
Speaker 2:It's everybody wants everybody to get better yeah, but the beauty is he has thought of it Right, and I love that, yeah, because he's curious enough and is and is engaged enough right To to be seeing something and finding an opportunity for him to use it somewhere. And I, I why I like that is because that's definitely a mindset piece, right, like, how are you engaging in your development and in your growth? And some of these guys become elite because that's the way that they approach it. You know, super cool, I wanted to bring it back.
Speaker 2:You were talking about the kind of you being a bridge between some of these old school guys and some of the new school guys, and there is a bit of a more of a generational gap, I think, than there has been in a long time in the NHL. You know, and and and this is from me, an outsider, right, like, I am totally an outsider now I, I don't see it, I just see it through through my lens from my office here. But can you speak to that a little bit more? Like what, what would be the difference between an 18 year old coming in now that's really good and and maybe that 35, 36 year old that that's on his way out the door, like what? What's the difference between those two players? Right now, I think.
Speaker 1:I mean honestly, like you said, there's a lot different. I think the I don't know what you want to call it, but the it's tough to describe it Just how not how they carry themselves, but like the older guys like how the older guys were brought in was very old school. Everyone was very, it was cut and dry what was right and wrong and there was no trying anything new and um coaches got on you right away and um, just like coaches yelled at you all the time and it was like one of those things where, um, that was kind of how I grew up was like everybody, like at least my dad at the time felt like he was kind of a hard ass and was like more vocal and like telling me what I was doing wrong, and it's like I'm going out there to prove him wrong and be like I can do it properly, like just watch me and I'll show you Right, whereas now I feel like, with kids coming up, there's maybe a fine line just with how you know, generations of kids have changed and um, just being able to convey that message a little differently. So, um, I think you know the old school guys maybe on the way out or are, you know more used to the the first thing that I said and then having new guys come in where you know it's a lot more skill oriented, um, the games you know, you see, like the mich Michigan goals guys are trying or the moves they're trying on entries, and it's like those things didn't exist when guys were breaking in a league before.
Speaker 1:So it's like that gap to see guys come in with that kind of confidence and not really have a waiver is maybe where there's a little bit of a teaching point, being like hey, for sure, that might work in game 25. And it looks really cool and it's on the highlight reel. But you watch the playoffs now and it's like there's no goals like that. There's no, everything's earned, everything's in the hard areas of the ice and with so much skill you're always taught at least I was growing up it's like you want to be physical on those guys because you want to push them out of the game. So it's like there's a really fine line.
Speaker 1:You see players like McDavid has all the skill in the world but he's not trying these things.
Speaker 1:You know, when it's one, nothing with three minutes left, and I think that's just like a bridge, or, yeah, a bridge you need to gap a little bit or maybe my words are wrong, but just being able to, you know, focus more on game management, necessarily, than skill development and I think that's one big thing is like games are won and lost and you know, wins and losses kind of define how long you stay in this league.
Speaker 1:And you see guys that win the stanley cup, that were on a fourth line, they get a really nice contract and it's not because, you know, you put up 30 goals or 40 goals, it's because you're a winner and teams want winners and any way you can contribute. That's, you know, up and down the lineup, that's going to be important. And you see, like guys like pat maroon went three in a row, uh, alec martinez, like these guys that are, you know, getting a little older teams, see what they bring to the table. Um, you know they're not going to go undressing guys and scoring 50 goals, but it's like they bring things that are important to the team. So it's like just being able to add a little more structure to the game and make it important to do the right things.
Speaker 2:Right, yeah, I appreciate that answer. I think maybe you can add some color to this, uh, but it sounds like what is good about, I think, like the way the game is changing, that you are allowed a little more individualism I I think I think that piece is good, like, I think, from a, from a skill standpoint.
Speaker 2:I also think from like a dressing standpoint. You know, like we all wore black suits when I was there. We all dress, we all look the exact same. You know there was no, the conformity was a big thing, right, and now you can. You know, you can be an individual, you can wear your own style. I think that's celebrated and probably still chirped in its own circles. But it all with good, with good humor, right and um. So I think that there's room for that and I like it. But I do think that there seems to be a little bit of a step back from the value of team, potentially too from these younger guys that are coming in, maybe a touch more entitlement, if I'm allowed to use that word. I guess that's where the culture and the value of the old guys come in. Too right To try and help mold that this young, budding, talented individual into a Boston Bruin or into a Calgary Flame or wherever you're at right am I? Am I fair in saying that?
Speaker 1:totally and I think, um, I mean, for example, like my younger brother has the most, like Connor has the most amount of confidence I've ever seen like when we play against each other, the stuff that he tries I'm like I don't know how you're doing this, I have no idea, and I'll rib him about it all the time. Like when are you going to try that he tries. I'm like I don't know how you're doing this, I have no idea and I'll rib him about it all the time. Like when are you going to try that? He's like I have no idea, I don't know I'm going to do.
Speaker 1:And you know he came into the playoffs with with tampa bay this year and, and you know was physical, played the right way and, and you know it never really crossed his mind, but I think he came into that organization was like you see guys doing things the right way and it makes you want to conform to the way they've done it, like you don't just win two cups and go to the playoff or the stanley cup finals three years in a row without doing the things right. So it's like it's always nice to have you know all the skill in the world, but to be able to know when to use it, you know when to back off a little bit. Um, that's the big part. And I mean you still see in the playoffs that the teams with all the depth that play the right way and uh, that's like one thing about florida. It's like you see how hard they check and how hard they defend and those things lead to goals.
Speaker 1:And then that's when the skill comes out. So it's just about picking your spots for those and, um, I think now, especially with all the skill everybody has, it's like well, I can do this, like I should have the leeway to be able to do it, and it's. It's almost one of those things where you have to realize it's earned, not given, and once you earn that ability to do it, go ahead. There's obviously a reason that you're allowed to. But I agree, I think entitlement is maybe the right word, and it's not to say that it's not easily moldable, especially with good people.
Speaker 2:So yeah, yeah, I can't believe I haven't touched that yet, but you're kind of. You have a little brother who is just a rookie in the NHL and who's part of the new group. You know and I'm not saying that he's an entitled one, I'm not saying that at all he's a riot. I love his personality, I mean like he seems like he's, he's a really fun guy to be around and I imagine the guys in tampa bay probably, probably appreciate him a lot too. But so you have a firsthand experience is all I mean from a family standpoint of of watching him grow up and watching his journey. How have you, how have you, served to be that bridge with him? Are you somebody that he calls during the season when things are maybe not going the way he wants them to?
Speaker 1:A little bit. I mean, honestly, I think I try to stay out of his way as much as I can. I don't want to, like, be a helicopter brother or anything like that, and I think a lot of those scenarios, situations you go through, help mold you as a player too. And, uh, I mean he got sent down, you know, I think around the all-star break and you know we talked something about like a little bit about that and um, just those situations that you get put in. But it's one of those things where it helps you grow as a person and and I'm more there as uh, you know, mentally, if you need to call somebody like I've experienced a few things and I'm always here to lean on, but it's not like I want you.
Speaker 1:I wanted him to shape his career the way he's going to do it, and we've had completely different paths to the NHL and a lot of things that I've experienced.
Speaker 1:He may never, or maybe he'll experience even more when it comes to the variety of things.
Speaker 1:He'll experience even more when it comes to the variety of things, but it's just like one of those things where it's his, it's his path and he's going to forge it the way he wants to and I mean you see it, you know with how loud and and outgoing he is, I mean he can talk to anyone and and kind of lights up a room with with how he carries himself and he's awesome, but it's just like I could never explain to you how to do that, because that's just not who I am.
Speaker 1:So, um, when it comes to that, I mean we honestly talk more throughout the year about other things. You know, we play video games together to keep in touch, we facetime, and he calls me more in the summer because he loves getting you know different sticks to try and and showing me them. So it's like that. That's more about what we talk about, not necessarily the X's and O's, but it's a. It's lots of fun and and not a lot of. Not a lot of people can say they had a brother play in the NHL, for sure.
Speaker 2:Yeah, no, that's really wild. What a cool. What a cool thing to share the AHL. How much did you value your time there? I could generally, in my career, spot the guys in the locker room that never been in the AHL and the guys that had been and even if they were stars at the time that had been the NHL. There was something that was more grounded about them, more appreciative, more grateful. It seemed to be. Uh, do you look back on that AHL season as being a really important piece of of your puzzle and and puts you in a better place to be an anti-sheller now?
Speaker 1:yeah, it was huge. I mean, it's always tough going back down. You know, I got sent down once, but I think for me, looking back on it, um, my whole experience it's like, though, you spend so much time with the guys, uh in the ahl just because, like normally at least now anyways it's a little bit younger than it was uh before, just with the veteran rule and and things like that, in the more of a developmental league. But I mean, those guys you go to development camp with, you make uh good relationships with them. You go to the ahl and I went to the ahl and didn't really know what to expect out of uh charlotte, and it's a great city and spend so much time with the guys and um, it's just like one of those things that I agree with.
Speaker 1:We always bug the guys that have never played in the NHL. They're just silver spooners, they, they got the easy path and but it's something you're right. It's just like I don't even know if there's a way you can kind of just tell and it's not a bad thing by any means, but it's just like I don't know bad thing by any means, um, but it's just like I don't know, I don't even know how to how to word it, but it's like it's almost like a grind, like every game's a grind. You're um, you're on the bus or, like when we flew, you fly um with everybody else, like you're not charting a jet, you're just flying west jet, or you're flying delta and you're getting on the early flight to get there and you're pre-game nap and you're having subway for pre-game and like those things. Like it's just like there's so much more camaraderie, I feel like amongst those guys and just like how you, you know, grow as a player and like just the relationships you build. Um.
Speaker 1:My time in the in the ahl was like I don't know I would be at all where I am, especially the fact that we won. I think it kind of helped. It was a really good team and a really good situation that we came into. Our leadership group was awesome and our coach, mike Vellucci he's the assistant in Pittsburgh now he was awesome. He put me in my place, I think, a couple games in and scratched me a few times the first year and I think he figured things out pretty quickly and at the time you're like I don't know if he's right, but looking back on it now, I was maybe one of those entitled kids that thought I was then bigger than anybody else. But you know, development wise it was huge.
Speaker 1:And then the second year before I got called up, ryan Warsawski was the coach. He's the head coach in San Jose and just developing things that he sees that maybe you're a little biased to. I'm sure every game you go out there and you have two points and you're playing well, he was really good at seeing these little things that I need to work on. That definitely helped grow my game as an NHLer. So looking back on it, it's like one of those things that I'll cherish forever and it's never a bad thing, I don't think, to go to the NHL.
Speaker 2:Yeah, well, you don't know what. You don't know, right, as far as, like the NHLers that have never played there, right, they don't know what that's like to play, you know whatever. Three and four and a half nights, yeah, sunday in the sunday in bridgeport, yeah, yeah, the eating on the bus, and you know, I mean, all the stuff that happens down there. So, uh, you know it. Definitely, I think it grounds the guys that are there and I'm sure that you're, you know, when you're sitting there on the plane and you got your choice of, uh, of the shrimp caviar or whatever the heck you guys are getting that, it's like, wow, this is pretty good. You know, like, I got this pretty good, uh, and I think that puts us in a better spot to play too and we can stay more more grounded with that piece.
Speaker 2:Uh, but the ahl itself right, like it it is. I mean, no one there wants to be there really, right, like, everyone kind of wants to be somewhere else. No one signed up when they were 12 to say like, yeah, I want to play in the hl for my, for my entire life. Right, we know how hard it is to do and, like the guys that are able to do that, like that's not a disrespectful thing to say.
Speaker 2:But I'm just saying from a mental standpoint, like if you can, if you can invest in the idea of being there and again, almost like a pasternak kind of lesson of like how can I get, what can I take from this experience? Right, how do I get better, how do I improve? That really helps with with with that environment. I think you know, because boy expectation is everything with that environment. I, I think you know, because boy expectation is everything. And if you're down there like if connor went down there, for instance, and and thought this is the last place I ever thought I should be and I should never be here and why they sent me down, chances are you're going to be there for a little bit longer than you want to be, right, yeah, no it's, and I think that's a big thing and that's one of the the few things that I told him.
Speaker 1:I was like you can take it one of two ways. You either, you know, be the guy that goes down there and sulks and thinks he's too good for everybody and, um, guys aren't gonna like you because they're gonna know your attitude and things like that. Or you take it and you'd be a great teammate and learn as much as you can and it's a, like you said, it's a good league. Like it's tough to play those games to me, um, guys, there's two kind of spectrums guys that are trying to make it and guys that are trying to stay playing professional hockey and it makes it that much harder to produce and perform, especially with the schedule and how grueling travel is. So, yeah, it's just one of those things that you know. It's a developmental league now, but I think there's a lot that you can learn. You know in the NHL and definitely shaped you as a, as an NHL or for sure.
Speaker 2:Love it, yeah, especially with the mindset that you do want to learn, right Like it's. You've emphasizing that you have to be open. Open to it, um and and yeah, hopefully that means less time there. This break in the action is brought to you by elite prospects. Elite prospects is the gateway to hockey online. Since 1999, eliteprospectscom is the number one statistical hockey resource, serving over a million unique visitors weekly. It offers the most informative hockey player database on the web and has the most reliable transaction tracker available. And for youth hockey players, ep is your very own online showcase to highlight your achievements and help secure future playing opportunities. Coaches, scouts and schools at every level of the game, consider Elite Prospects their one-stop shop to discover future stars. Elite Prospects is also powering the UMH 68 All-Star Awards. They will receive an Elite Prospects hat as powering the UMH 68 All-Star Awards. They will receive an Elite Prospects hat as a part of the prize package, which includes many other things.
Speaker 2:But super happy to have Elite Prospects on board with the UMH 68 Invitational as well. They do not partner with just any tournament. They are partnering with the UMH 68 Invitational because they are very happy with the players that are coming and also with what the program offers when it comes to the workshops, the development, the overall holistic look at the player and the athlete and giving them the best opportunity they can be to make their goals and dreams come true. So anyone that goes to the UMH 68 in their profile, not only will they have a verified profile courtesy of Elite Prospects, they will also receive a huge discount off a verified profile. All of their stats from the UMH 68 tournament will be tracked in their profile forever, for years to come. All the stats from all events are tracked on Elite Prospects. If you are winning an All-Star Award lucky enough to win an All-Star Award that will be also listed in your profile section of the awards component. So really cool for the athletes not only to be recognized through Elite Prospects but to have some of their accomplishments be recognized for all time there as well One of the benefits of coming to the UMH 68 Invitational and for us to partner with somebody like Elite Prospects so awesome.
Speaker 2:Really enjoy having Elite Prospects on board. We value that connection. I know the players and families value that connection too and definitely love everything Elite Prospects has to offer online. I know I use it all the time to check out players and what they've done and where they have been. So thank you, elite Prospects. Now let's get you back to the conversation with Morgan Geeky. I never asked this question, but you were talking about curves and so I'm going to ask it, because I do geek out on sticks a little bit myself. What flex do you use and what is your pattern? Do you have your own, or is there a number that you use that you can get buy in the store shelf?
Speaker 1:uh, so I use the. It's actually the Adam Oates curve, so it's like the uh P92 I think it is, or the Sackick. It was a Sackick when I grew up, I don't know what the number is now. Yeah, just like the generic one that you buy on the shelves, but the oats one's a little flatter on the heel, it's just so you can use your backhand a little bit more. I found that I got it from him. I use the skills coach. That kind of implies the same sort of skillish things that that you know you see a lot of guys use and it, just that curve kind of allows you to do a little bit of everything.
Speaker 1:Um, you know, I I screw around curves all the time and I'm not afraid to change the length of my stick or whatever. I'm pretty standard, like 85 flex or 87, whatever bauer is um, but I've tried, like the I got a sample of. Like the kucherov curve I used a few times last year. It's a little different and it's only like 77 flex. Um, we're pretty spoiled. We get to kind of pick and choose whatever we want and they'll send us whatever. But, um, I'm using that uh twitch stick. Um, it's brand new, he. I got a sample sent to me last year in the summer and it was that's my favorite stick I've probably ever used.
Speaker 1:I was always a ccm guy and um just switched a couple years ago I think and uh switched this bauer one. So it's good. I mean, I like it. It's it's tough to switch um now, or it's tough to switch now, but uh, it's good. And then I agree, it's one of those things that, like you, always geek out on what everyone else is using. I think, um, there's no more of like. I used to use like the stall. If they called it stall, it was like the shovel kind of like. It was like more of a wedge. I use that one. That one's kind of obsolete.
Speaker 2:Now there's a couple guys that use it my dad still likes it I always found that, like once the once the technology sort of started to develop, uh with the flex aspect and where it flexes, that I personally liked like a lower flex for, like, let's say, a wrister, like a catch and release wrister, but I didn't like it for my one-timer. Like I felt like it was, it was too much of a banana and like, being a shooter which I was, it was hard for me to like find that happy medium, like did you find that with yourself? Or even like what does it got? Like what does pass to use uh for a flex uh, I think it's 77, 77 and it's like a.
Speaker 1:It's a p28 curve, so it's like the one, the thinner blade. Uh, the toe is like really heavy, like it's really big toe. Um, I don't know what the like I said. I don't know what the store names are.
Speaker 2:Now I knew what they were when I was. No, it's a put 28, 28, 92.
Speaker 1:They're still using those ones yeah, so, uh, he uses that one. Those are pretty generic, like I bet that's like 85 in the league. And then some guys have like little little uh kinks in them, like I mean, you see, like o'reilly's blades a little crazy, like with the little thing on the end, um, but like some guys will add up to make the blade a little thicker. I've tried making my blade stiffer for that, like same reason as you were.
Speaker 1:I like the lower flare 85 flex was good, but it's like whenever I hit a one-timer I felt like my blade would give out, or like after a face-off or something like that. We're also spoiled that we can use this new stick. You know pretty much every game, so it's like you get it fresh out of the box. But, um, yeah, it's a lot more standard than you think, especially now. Um, I feel like when I grew up was like you see, the guys in junior like with the big blades and like all these fancy things that you never knew existed. Uh, you get to the nhl and guys are pretty set in their ways and and it's pretty a or b, I would say right so you can.
Speaker 2:Uh, if you wanted to let's say you're a bauer guy could you send them something and they would make your own like can you get your own pattern if you wanted to?
Speaker 1:yeah, I had one. I actually had one in ccm. Uh, it was my first. It was like the covet year in carolina.
Speaker 1:Um, I like lowered the lie um, changed the curve and like thickened it out a little bit, maybe a little little bit taller, and they make it. Um, I like lowered the lie um, change the curve and like thickened it out a little bit, maybe a little little bit taller, and they make it um, I don't think they like when you do it a lot, because I think it's kind of expensive for them. Um. So it's like if they have it already um built and they have so many curves built, like lots of times when you ask to make a curve, they'll be like oh, we have one very similar, it's just easiest to use that.
Speaker 1:Um, but they would definitely like I've been with bauer long enough and um, I'm established, I think, enough now where I could kind of be like, can I do this, this and this, and they would, they'd be really good about it. Um, so, yeah, it's, it's super cool to be able to just kind of pick and choose and, um, you know, have your name on it, and it's cool. It's something like you said. It's like you don't think about those things, but like when you're a kid and you had your name on your stick, or like I used to put like the black tape on the name bar, to cover it up and then put my name on it or the number, so it's like you look back on it. It's really cool to see where you started from.
Speaker 2:Well, the thing that I feel so bad for you guys about now is like that was like my get out of jail, get out of slump piece was like having the wooden blade that I could shave or like give some more uptick to or whatever I wanted to do. Like I was in that stick room all the time like tweaking and you can't do nothing to these things. Now, can you like I don't think you can right, like no I mean there's a couple uh.
Speaker 1:I mean I remember bergeron, they have a couple of his sticks still sticking around. He would like heat up the blade and like wedged under the door like you used to, and like bend it a little bit and you could see like it's fiberglass, like there's a crack in it and whatever. But I mean whatever works obviously worked pretty good for him. But yeah, I mean I'm more of a, if I'm struggling I'll switch up the knob a little bit or I'll switch up the tape, like for a while I was going white tape, black tape a lot of the time and it's kind of like one of those things where you just need a new look and then go back to something that you're comfortable with and it's not necessarily as permanent as a blade change, but it's uh, it does the job, for me at least so we're in the off season here now and and you know one of the questions that I get all the time, you know, how much do you need to be on the ice, or should you be on the ice?
Speaker 2:I think it's obviously. I would assume it's different you at 26, and with who I'm generally speaking with, which is, you know, teenage, junior type players but how do you handle your offseason now? Like, is time off the ice something that you think is important? Is that something you think you can't afford not to do?
Speaker 1:Or how do you? How do you approach it now? Uh, I've kind of done both. To be honest, since I turned pro, um, you know, I tried to not skate till june 15th or july 31st. I've never really gone longer than that, just because that's kind of, you know, it's my job now. So I figured, you know, the more time the better. And then, uh, last year actually, I was skating like two, three weeks after the season, um, so that was pretty quick. And then, uh, last year actually, I was skating like two, three weeks after the season, um, so that was pretty quick.
Speaker 1:And then I think I'm gonna start skating. I'll start skating next week, um, and so that'll be almost a month, which would be like a little longer for me, um, but I think now, with like skill work and stuff, like I don't think you have to be on the ice a ton or sorry, you can be on the ice as much as you want. It's like the intensity more, and like I think you see a lot of things now, like, especially kids growing up, like they only play hockey now and like I played all kinds of sports, so like I never really like my miles didn't add up very quickly when it came to hockey as a kid so it's like now it's my job. I was like I gotta ways, especially now with how good the lead gets. You're just trying to find ways to like, get better and at least for me I feel like if I'm not skating I'm, I'm losing out on that stuff, even if I'm getting stronger or things like that.
Speaker 1:I'm kind of at the age where I have my baseline and I'm trying to get back to times a week starting next week, probably two or three times a week until August or so, probably three or four. Then before camp you go down a week or two early with the guys and do some captain skates. You're skating four or five times a week. It's kind of just like you switch the intensity. You go from off-season training off-ice and it kind of just switches. You maybe do that only two, three times a week or at least the intensity is not as high right for majority of the week well, good for you.
Speaker 2:So you mean you're taking, so you're taking four weeks off and that was, you know, strategic and planned, and and you know whether you worked out or not. I mean I, I won't ask, but um, that's. I do think that recovery is important, you know, if some, but just, but just, even from a healing standpoint and a rest standpoint is probably nice. And then, yeah, ramp up the intensity and the ice sessions as you get closer. Has anything changed for you, like in the brief window I shouldn't say that brief, but I mean 20 to 26, since you've become a pro, like, has the training aspect of you getting better and looking after yourself? Has there been any changes to that?
Speaker 1:I think last couple years I started to take a little bit more care of myself.
Speaker 1:Off the ice when I moved to Calgary I had a little bit more access to that kind of stuff.
Speaker 1:It felt like, and I think the one thing for me was my wife actually mentioned it to me before we moved to Calgary was like, I think every year, um, my last year junior to like two years ago, I had switched my training regime and trainer every single year and I didn't really think about it like that, like I tried, uh, the same trainer that I always had growing up, um, and then I trained in Winnipeg and then I trained in Seattle and then I did like a a more of like a body weight mobility program for a year and then I finally you know I've been in Calgary for three years now and I think for me it's just like the stability of knowing what I'm gonna do um is huge, and like I'm comfortable in the gym and my trainer's really awesome about days off and like if I'm feeling good and substituting exercises and you know I'm getting treatment two, three times a week, just staying on top of things like that, because it's a long year and especially when you start to play more um throughout the year.
Speaker 1:Like games add up and it's uh, someone had mentioned like morning skates add up to like 10 extra games or something. So it's like you you put on a lot of miles as a as a pro, and just trying to get back to square one and Restart and it's good.
Speaker 2:Do you use field work at all in your in your training? Are you on the track at all?
Speaker 1:Yeah, we're on the track Twice a week, normally twice a week for like till August probably, and then it's like two and a half. I would say Just like a little bit you'd take a little bit off, like say, um, just like a little bit, you'd take a little bit off like the weights and stuff. You do a little more sprints and stuff.
Speaker 2:So right, yeah, yeah, a little bit. So that's been training. I see, I see a little bit more of that showing up and and I I'm seeing a little bit less bike, like it's a bike part of your, your training existence, you guys on that doing sprints there or any type of cardio work.
Speaker 1:I love the bike. Um, I think it's depends who you ask, um, but I, I was always taught growing up that was like, oh, your hip flexors they get too tight, so like that was the you don't want to bike cause you're always in like the hunched position and you're. And I was like growing up I was like I don't know, you know, I've I got a 10 or 20 kilometer bike tomorrow that I'm supposed to do and uh, I enjoy it. I bought a road bike, you know, last year, a couple of years ago, and um, it's, it's an easy way to train and, uh, it's like one of those more glow methods I would say now. But we do a lot of like the air bike too. I guess that's the sprint aspect of the bike, but it's, it's good, we use it for sure.
Speaker 2:Cool. Well, I want to wish you luck. Maybe I'd be doing this podcast disservice and talk about what the next steps are and even where your mindset is. You're, I believe, an unrestricted free agent. Right, correct, restricted. Oh, you're an RFA.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I missed it by 19 days. Yeah, I'm July 20th. Yeah.
Speaker 2:Holy smokes. So I'm July 20th. Yeah, holy smokes. So as an RFA, that means I'm not familiar with the collective bargaining agreement that much right now. Does that mean that for you to be qualified, they have to give you that 10% raise and that's it? Or how does the negotiation aspect work in your deal right now?
Speaker 1:Yeah, so it's qualifying offer. They'll offer a qualifying offer, I think on the 29th of June, if possible, or if they want to. When I was in Seattle that's how I came to Boston was I wasn't offered a qualifying offer. So then you become an unrestricted free agent. This situation, same situation. It's like if they want to offer me a qualifying offer, they'll do so on that day. It's a 10% raise on whatever you earn now and then.
Speaker 1:That's not to say you can stop negotiating a deal by any means, but it's just like they have to give you that because you're entitled to that and they want, if you want, they want you to be their property. And then, if nothing is figured out by that point, you've got to go to arbitration, which is like the court date, where you go in toronto and all the big wigs yell at you and tell you how bad of a hockey player you are and you tell them how good you are. So hopefully it doesn't get to that point. But, um, yeah, you can negotiate up until then. It's kind of just more of a formality gotcha, so yeah.
Speaker 2:so I mean, if they were to hardline something, it hasn't necessarily changed from even when I was there. Because if they give you that offer and you say like, let's say they don't give you anything over that, just for theoretical right Hypothetical, I should say reasons, they maintain your rights, and then you also don't play right Like that's, that's where that is at Correct, like they maintain your access to you, uh, and that's kind of the end of it. Right, that was the way it was when I was in la. I remember it was like I didn't want to sign what they gave me, but I really didn't have any other power other than other than them qualifying me yeah, so now with that situation, you get arbitration right.
Speaker 1:So it's basically um, I think it's july 21st or late july you file for arbitration, which basically you take them to court um over like you think you're worth more than what your qualifying offer is and so you can file for arbitration, which basically you both go to the court plead your case. Um, normally the player comes in a lot higher than what he's worth and the team comes in a lot lower and you meet someone in the middle for one year and it's kind of like a um, just a good, like bridge deal to figure something out for a year and you can kind of reconvene at christmas so if you sign a one-year deal, then you would be an unrestricted free agent at the end of that, at the end of that year.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that's good for the players. So then you do have like. So there is a value there. Boston recognizes they have to give you a value over the 10 because you've obviously would have, would have had a had a season that that allows you to get paid more than the 10. Um, so you're protected by arbitration to get something reasonable right.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's good, it's huge. Yeah, you don't have that your first couple years in the league. I think you have to like it's either a time the game is played or service time in the in the league, or or sorry, the the association or whatever. So it's good, it's uh, it's definitely important and really really good. We got that for sure.
Speaker 2:Awesome. Well, good luck with that. I mean it's it sounds like it's Boston, then essentially, or or or not, I guess. Right, like with yeah.
Speaker 1:They get their first dibs, but we'll see. It's a it's a long summer, so it's like I said, I'm not too worried about it and things will sort out the way they do. I think you know I'm pretty lucky to play in the NHL and have the year I did, so it's just one of those things where you know the crumbs will fall while they will.
Speaker 2:And great timing. Couldn't have happened at a better time? Yes, for sure, and hopefully it's the start of many more. So really appreciate, morgan, you being so candid and giving so much of your day, your time, there. I thank you. My fans thank you, and my fans I shouldn't say that I don't have any fans the podcast has.
Speaker 1:Sure, you got listeners, listeners.
Speaker 2:Yeah, my podcast has some listeners, so they will definitely appreciate your, your time and your insight, so thanks for being here yes, of course.
Speaker 1:No, it's good and uh, I'm excited to be at the uh, my hockey manitoba this week. Yeah, that's right, we're gonna get a chance to actually shake hands, so uh yeah yeah, for those we we had.
Speaker 2:We had, uh, morgan's dad on craig, who's my uh provincial director there for my umh 68. So we're bringing a the first time event out there to brandon and um, we're going to have some of the best u15s in manitoba being there and I think you're going to be a, an ambassador. So I hear for for a couple days I'll be there.
Speaker 1:I'll do whatever's needed. I'm a utility man tomorrow or this weekend.
Speaker 2:Sorry, that's awesome yeah, really looking forward to it. Yeah, if you're in the area there, anyone brandon man, uh, brandon brandon, manitoba, or on the outskirts come watch some great hockey. Morgan will be there, I think, connor's coming in for a day and or two and and yeah, we'll. We'll watch some good hockey and hopefully there's some good lessons that are happening there. So, yeah, thanks for doing that.
Speaker 1:Yes, of course.
Speaker 2:All right, man. Well, until then we'll, we'll part ways and we'll see you soon. Awesome, yeah, thank you so much for having me. Thank you very much for listening to episode 159 with Morgan Geeky. Morgan, I'm sure you're not listening. If you are, you're a rock star. Super amazing that you were able to donate that much of your time and that much of your insight about being a hockey player and what it takes to become a hockey player at the highest level.
Speaker 2:As discussed in the introduction, I think that there's so many awesome lessons for players out there with their own development timeline when they're considering where they're at in space, where they might be playing, who they might be playing with, how they think that looks in the big picture as far as what their dreams are and what their goals are. You know, morgan more than once had an opportunity to say, ah, this might not be working out the way I want it to. You know, when he, when he didn't get to play in the WHO as a 16 yearold, when he did play as a 17-year-old and didn't get drafted, when he got taken in the expansion draft and then didn't get his contract renewed, when he was with Boston this season as a fourth or fifth-year NHL guy and was getting healthy scratch at the beginning of the season. There's lots of opportunities for Morgan to look at things and be like, ugh, geez, why me, this isn't working out great, this isn't what I had planned, this wasn't on my schedule, but time and time again he was able to push through these types of adversity, was able to come out stronger on the other side, and currently Morgan is sitting as a 33 goal scorer in the NHL and is going to be signing a new ticket. So I love that.
Speaker 2:Everyone's development path is different. Everyone's journey is different. You need to embrace where you are, put the blinders on and do the best you can to control the things that you can control and get yourself in the best position possible to be the best player that you can be. And Morgan is well on his way to finding where his potential is at. And that's the fun thing about potential and that's whether I work with a 12-year-old or a 22-, 22 year old. It's like what is the ceiling? Where is the ceiling, uh? And when we get creative about what that ceiling is and we start believing that, hey, maybe there is more out there, there is more in me, uh, than what I have previously seen or what I have previously shown. Then some amazing stuff happens. Uh, we talked about a little bit in the episode, but did Morgan ever think in an NHL season that he would score more goals than Nathan McKinnon, mikko Rantanen and Jack Eichel all combined in the same year? I mean, I don't know if he would have ever raised his hand and said, yeah, I expect that to happen. But here he is now in a situation where that did happen. That is the reality of his situation. His potential has been elevated. The ceiling for him has now changed. What an exciting spot to be in.
Speaker 2:Why doesn't that apply to someone like you? Well, guess what it does apply to someone like you. It just matters how you are looking at your career, how you're looking at your own development, the things that you're doing about it and what your belief system is about it. So, really, really fun. I love stories like this. I wish nothing but the best for Morgan. I'm sure you could tell from the interview how humble and grounded he is about where he's at. Uh, and that is definitely another component of mindset that is. Uh, that is a good one. Right gratitude, uh, grounding, being humble, giving back to the game which he's doing with the umh 68 invitational, coming to supply some value to these kids who want to be in his skate someday. That's a good person right there, and good people usually create good hockey players, and Morgan is a definite example of that. So thank you for your time, morgan, thank you for those listening and until next time, this is Jason Padolan without my hockey. Play hard and keep your head up.