I recently had the pleasure to interview 2011 NHL Draft Prospect and second-leading point producer in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), Shane Prince of the Ottawa 67's. Believe it or not, these young men in major junior hockey actually get a mental and physical break from the action. Shane was back in the Rochester, NY area for a few days to share the holidays with his family and friends. The 5'11", 185lbs. center/left winger is having a break-out season already amassing 58 points (19g, 39a) in just 35 games played. Not to mention an outstanding plus/minus rating of +30 while only being sent to the sin bin for 8 minutes.
The NHL's Central Scouting Bureau recently unveiled their North American Preliminary Rankings for the 2011 NHL Draft class. Prince was listed at the 18th spot overall on the chart for OHL skaters. Number 18 ironically is his sweater number for his Ottawa 67's team. If he keeps up the scoring pace for the reminder of the 2010-11 season, people around the hockey world might be hearing his name called out at the No. 18 spot overall at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft in Minneapolis, MN this June.
Although Prince has been impressive this year, it wasn't enough to get him to this month's 2011 IIHF U20 World Junior Championships (WJC) in Buffalo, NY. USA Hockey decided to go with some veteran talent from last year's gold medal team and players approaching or at 19 years of age. In all fairness to Prince, he recently turned 18 just last month. Regardless, he is still holding is head high with confidence and looking forward to hopefully taking his 67's to the Memorial Cup Championship.
Here is a little Q&A session with the Ottawa 67's star. His statistics are speaking for themselves, but let's learn a little more about this American hockey prodigy.
Examiner.com: Looks like statistic wise you're having a heck of a season in the OHL. Right now you are 2nd in points in the "O" with 58 in just 35 games played. Has there been a certain recipe for success this year? The trade from last year, coaching, the 67's system, confidence, or perhaps a combination of all?
Prince: I think the recipe for me has been the same for a very long time and that is to train hard in the gym and on the ice, give 100% all the time and continue to raise the bar for myself. I spent the summer getting a lot stronger with my strength coach, Rick Billitier, and really polishing my skills with the trainers at Maksymum Hockey in Rochester. I've always been passionate about being at the rink for hours on end just doing crazy things with puck skills, and skating skills. Lifting weights and getting stronger has also become a passion in itself, I've grown a bit too which is also a boost to the strength and speed. Of course none of this would mean a thing without the opportunity to play quality minutes and that's where I have to credit the Ottawa 67's. Mr. Kilrea traded for me which is quite an honor itself. He's a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, been coaching in the OHL since 1974. He's seen a whole lot of talent come through the league so for him to go out and trade for me is a real compliment. Coach Byrne is a great coach and a very fair guy. When the puck dropped at training camp everybody had to fight for their spot in the pecking order. Nothing is handed out, every player gets what they earn. Everybody wearing the barber poles knows that you have to do your job in Ottawa everyday. That's just the way I like it. It's a great recipe for success for the 67's and for me personally.
Examiner.com: The first couple of years in the league your +/- was on the wrong side and PIMs were higher. Have your changed your style of game or perhaps you are more comfortable with Ottawa's system than past years with Kitchener?
Prince: My first year in the league was 08-09, I was in Kitchener and the Rangers were just coming off their Memorial Cup run from the previous season. Most of the teams star players had moved on to the NHL or AHL. The organization was in the early stages of rebuilding so we were a struggling team. I think +/- can be a misleading statistic, weak teams have a lot of players in the minus and strong teams are almost all in the plus. As for my PIMs I guess it was a combination of a lot of things. I was 15 years old to start the season, the youngest player in the OHL. I was determined to let everyone know I wasn't going to be intimidated so I didn't pass up an opportunity to fight if I was challenged. I was also primarily a 3rd or 4th line energy player which can lead to more PIMs when you're out there trying to get your team going.
Examiner.com: Are you working on anything particular in your game to get better?
Prince: Right now I wouldn't say I'm working on anything particular but I work on my skills everyday. Ever since I was 4 or 5 years old I never just showed up for practice. I was always there an hour early and staying an hour late weaseling my way onto the ice with another team. I still try to be the first one on the ice and will choose a skill to focus on for that day. Sometimes working with a teammate or just by myself but I'm always trying to get better at something.
Examiner.com: I see a lot of print on other 2011 NHL Draft Prospects, except yourself. It seems you are still flying low on the Central Scouting Bureaus radar, kind of like Jeff Skinner of the Carolina Hurricanes last year. You were just recently bypassed unfortunately for the CHL/NHL Top Prospect game. Do you think NHL teams are recognizing your talents?
Prince: Thanks for reminding me. I really don't know what to say about the Top Prospects thing other than I would have loved the opportunity. They have their process for choosing who will be playing in the game and it's just one of those things that are out of my control and I have to respect that. I try to look at the fact that other very good players from the OHL were also not invited and last year there were players not invited who went high in the 2010 NHL Draft. It's just another one of those things that was disappointing for a day or so but I've learned to put those things aside and stay focused. As for NHL teams recognizing my talents all I can say is I sure hope so and we'll find out in June. I'm sure if I continue to be the best player I can be for the Ottawa 67's, do my part to help our team win, then hopefully my status with the NHL Draft will take care of itself in the process.
Examiner.com: You're a top point producer in the OHL, a league regarded by NHL Scouts as one of the best for talent pool. Plus you're an American kid playing on Canadian soil. So much emphasis in Canada is put on the game of hockey, unlike in the US. Is it difficult playing in Canada with the culture differences?
Prince: I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to play in the OHL, it's been an experience that I wish every kid I grew up playing with could have. Everyone in the United States knows Canada loves hockey but until you've lived in Canada and immersed yourself into the hockey culture you'll never really understand it, it's a way of life. First of all the billet families in Canada are tremendous people. They take us into their homes and allow us to disrupt their lives all for the sake of our hockey careers. The OHL itself is pretty much operated just like the NHL in regards to professionalism and attention to detail. I did 2 years of High School in Canada and the schools are very flexible, working with us to get our courses completed knowing we are OHL players and have a lot of travel. All OHL games played on Canadian soil are televised live, replayed at midnight and sometimes again the next morning. The Walmart stores in Ottawa have more hockey equipment than most sporting goods stores in the States. We can have close to 10,000 fans at a 67's game while the Sens have 19,500 at the same time. The 67's Booster club treats us like we're their own kids. The respect we get from our owner Mr. Hunt, our coaches and management, all the fans, it's amazing. The entire atmosphere creates a lot of motivation for players to want to succeed, that's why I believe so many great players come from Canada.
Examiner.com: Now being your 3rd year in league, are you more comfortable now (as only 15 when you entered the league) and not missing mom's home cooking anymore, ha ha?
Prince: Being in my 3rd year I'm certainly more comfortable now and I want to help make the transition for the younger guys as smooth as possible. They're away from home for the first time so it's important to make them feel as much a part of the team as any of the vets. I've been very lucky to have some great billet families who are trying to give me the best opportunity to succeed. They treat me well and feed me well but no matter where I go I will always miss my Mom and her cooking.
Examiner.com: Speaking of being an American born player and having a tremendous year. What's your take on USA Hockey passing you by for a potential roster spot in this month's WJC in Buffalo?
Prince: My agent, Scott Norton, was in touch with USA Hockey in the weeks leading up to the tournament so I sort of knew where I stood with them and really didn't expect an invite. That's not to say I wasn't disappointed because I was still hoping I'd get the call. But USA Hockey has a lot of great players to choose from so hopefully they'll do well in Buffalo and have some returning gold medalists for Calgary in 2011 and maybe I'll get my chance to play for my country there.
Examiner.com: I think it was an error on the USA Hockey staff not to name you on the WJC roster, especially being a Rochester, NY area product and the games being only one-hour shot west down NYS Thruway. I'm sure the folks would have loved it! None the less, what are your goals moving forward for the rest of the season?
Prince: USA is the defending Gold Medal Champions so as much as I appreciate all the support from Western New York hockey fans who wanted to see me play in Buffalo we have to respect their decision. I'm confident I could have helped USA win but that doesn't mean they made an error, they had some tough decisions. The good news for all USA Hockey fans is that we are now in a position where some great hockey players get left off the roster. That shows the game is growing in the United States and and we are getting deeper in terms of talent. USA will be able to put together another strong team in 2011, I hope I'm there to help that team win gold. I'm just going to continue to be the best player I can be as we get into the second half of the season. We have a great team in Ottawa and I firmly believe we are capable of beating any OHL team in a 7 game series come playoff time. I'd love to play for the Memorial Cup. But to do that everybody has to come to play every night so my goals are to stay focused, continue to improve and win hockey games.
Examiner.com: Some list you at 5'11" and 185 lbs. others 5'10" and 181 lbs. That's not big for NHL standards. Although many players under 6 foot are very successful today in the NHL like Patrick Kane, Brian Gionta, and Martin St. Louis. Does your game parallel to any of these players or another in the big leagues?
Prince: I was a bit of a late bloomer just hitting 5'11" at the start of the season so for me I'm feeling pretty good right now. I've always felt that size was over rated anyway and strength, speed, skill and compete level are really what's important in hockey. I think every NHL team has some key players at or under 5'11" these days including great players like Sidney Crosby, Mike Richards and Mark Recchi. I have had my game compared with Kane, Zach Parise, Daniel Briere, Claude Giroux and even Kris Draper. Whether it's putting up points or blocking a shot I just try to compete hard all over the ice and play the complete game.
Examiner.com: The NHL is a skating and skilled game now days. What attributes are making you successful? Are you shifty and effortless on the blades, a set-up man, or one who likes to finish? As the looks of it, you have all three going for you...
Prince: I like to use a mix of skating ability from speed in the neutral zone to an elusiveness when I'm down low in the offensive zone maintaining puck possession. The longer we can control the puck the better the odds are that we're going to put it in the net. I don't think my game has changed much at all from the way I learned to play growing up with my AAA team the Syracuse Stars. We had a great team that incorporated all of the above. We played a real team game by luring in the opposition and moving the puck, cycling, using the open ice, and understanding time and space much like a soccer team. I learned when to use my speed and when to slow the game down to make a play, when to head man the puck and when to hit the trailer. Playing in that system was not only a lot of fun but it allowed me to develop all the skills involved with time and space, skating, passing, and especially vision because there was always someone open if you had your head up. So I never really look at myself as any particular type of player other than I create offense and the situation will dictate whether I am the setup guy or the finisher.
Examiner.com: Do you have a certain pre-game routine with a nap, favorite meal, and maybe some specific iPod tunes or are the superstitions few and far between?
Prince: I have to have my nap and I grab an Italian BMT at Subway on my way to the home games. On the road I always have to have the nap and the general hanging out with the team for meals is a must. We are a close knit team so just being around the boys gets me ready for the game.
Examiner.com: Gotta ask this a recent topic in hockey world. Being an American kid, what made you go the major juniors route instead of taking a scholarship in the States at a NCAA Division I school where you could still play some quality hockey and get an education too?
Prince: That question seems to indicate that OHL players don't get an education which couldn't be further from the truth. High School age players in the OHL attend a full day of school and have all the academic support they need just like any other High School student in the States or Canada. College age OHL players have their books and tuition paid for by the team for part time courses while they are playing in the OHL. Once they leave the OHL they have 1 year of full time college courses (books and tuition) paid for each year they played in the OHL. So essentially 4 years played in the OHL gets a player 4 years of college in addition to the part time courses paid for while the player was active in the OHL. I took all this into account and talked to a lot of players who were successful at both the NCAA and in the OHL. I weighed it all out and felt if I tried to be a great college student and a great hockey player at the same time one or the other was going to come up short. I'm the type of guy that when I go after something it's all or nothing. So the OHL seemed like the right way to go for me to pursue my goal of playing in the NHL. So far it's been an awesome experience, I've played a ton of hockey, gone to some great high schools and now I'm enrolled at Carleton University in Ottawa. I have absolutely no regrets, in fact I am very grateful for the opportunity to play in the OHL. When I look back at all the great players I've had the opportunity to play with and against, and the rich history of the legends that have played in the OHL I know that I'll never have to look back and wonder "what if". I'll know I played against some of the best players in the world, gave it my best shot and I was either good enough for the NHL or I wasn't.
Examiner.com: This is the last question (the bonus) and let's make this one an off the hockey topic. What's Shane Prince's typical day like? What do you do on a day without hockey? Any hobbies besides playing yourself on NHL11, ha, ha?
Prince: Well the only day without hockey for us is possibly a Monday after we've swept the weekend. So I will sleep in until at least 11:00, get up, shower, eat. We're a very close team so usually we'll get together even on our day off, maybe hit a mall with a few of the guys. Maybe a Bible study or catch up on homework if I fell behind from a road trip. Usually I'll end up playing NHL11 at some point but my character is brutal. It's a pretty uneventful day, just a rest for the body.
Awesome answers by Shane and it was a pleasure getting to know this OHL star better. A very talented and mature individual who has many hockey playing days ahead. Will be sure to keep an eye on Shane's progress for the reminder of the season. If this season has any indication of Shane's success, there is no doubt Prince will be King of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
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