OBrian Young - What Happens Next?

[OBrian Young 307]

So I guess the big question is…what happens next? I enjoyed my time in Las Vegas. It was nice to get on the ice. But more importantly, it was nice to get that much needed confirmation that I could, in fact, play with these much better players. 

I am still pretty much the biggest skater on the ice, but there are some that I encountered that were as big as me. So that took a little getting used to. I had been used to just knocking people off of the puck and having my way on the ice. Well those days are over!

I found the players may be bigger than I am used to, but they are also stronger and faster! So I have a lot to learn! My coaches in Vegas really helped me out. They gave me some pointers about how to use my size to my advantage while not letting others take advantage of me. Normally, bigger means slower. Okay, yea, I may be slow still, but I am a youngster, this is something that will improve as I get older. Also, they showed me how to body-check people. There are very few people on the ice who like to get crashed into the boards by someone my size…even other people my size. I know I don’t like it, no matter how big the person is!
I get asked what kind of player I want to become? I am not sure to be honest. Dad always told me be a team player first. “If you become the best teammate there is, then no one will question when you have those inevitable bad games.” He said that so many times I think it is seared into my brain. So first and foremost, I want to be the type of player my team needs, the best teammate I can be. If that means I focus on defensive skills, then I will do that. If it means I work on my passing to support the forwards and the attack more, then that is what I will put my time into. I will rely on my coaches to guide me in this.

But there is one thing I have learned over the short time I have played…and was another thing my Dad used to say. “No one can help their team if they are not on the ice.” In other words, try to stay out of the penalty box. Fighting at the drop of the hat may be a good show for the fans, but getting stuck in the box for 5 minutes helps no one but the other team. So I try to fight as little as possible. With that being said, no one will be slamming my forwards against the boards like they are trying to tenderize a steak. I am a big fella, and if I need to defend a teammate, then all of my 6’8” 250 lbs frame will be making sure they think about it twice next time.

I know there is a draft coming up soon. What that means for my future, I don’t know. I am excited to see what is next for me and will hopefully be able to call my family and tell them that I will be staying in North America, for at least one more year…to play hockey!

 

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