McCabe on Mackie Samoskevich playing in the NHL: ‘Whether it's October of this year or January, this kid's going to play.’
McCabe on Mackie Samoskevich playing in the NHL: ‘Whether it's October of this year or January, this kid's going to play.’
For Florida Panthers Director of Player Personnel Bryan McCabe, the team’s annual development camp is a big deal.
McCabe called the past week at the Ice Den in Coral Springs “the best week of the year” for himself, for Mike Ryan, Florida’s Manager of Player Development, and for Tomi Maki, the Cats’ European Development Coach.
“We know a lot of these guys live in different countries and we only get to see them once or twice a year, so this is the week we actually get to spend quality time with them,” McCabe said. “It’s a semi-babysitting service, we're with them from like seven to seven every day, but it's great because you get to see who the characters are, who's the quiet guy, who's the leader, and it builds a good bond moving forward that we can all trust in each other and it's way more comfortable when we're talking to them throughout the year and sending them video clips and stuff like that to interact with them.”
McCabe was on the ice with the youngsters all week, pushing them in drills and offering tips and advice when he saw fit.
Following Friday’s camp-ending scrimmage, McCabe took questions from the media about dev camp and some of the prospects who were on the ice.
Here is what he had to say:
On the scrimmage: “It was great. Just get the guys out there, we don't want anyone killing each other or anything, but it was fun to score some goals. I thought the guys played hard and had a fabulous week.”
On the true meaning of development camp: “The camp is not about the on-ice or the scrimmage or any of that. It's a learning process for these kids and just trying to help them adapt to being a pro. We throw a lot of information at them this week, a lot of different speakers and different seminars, and little things on the ice and details that they can take home for the summer to hopefully help them improve for the next time they come back. It's a process, but the most important thing this week is having the guys get to know each other, building those relationships that all good teams have, because these are the guys that are going to help us down the road. I think they all did that this week and did a great job of it. There was not a bad egg in the bunch, and they all did everything expected of them.”
On players who had previously been to Panthers Development Camp: “It’s a whirlwind when guys, like last year, they got drafted and I think camp was right after the draft and I don't they even remember half the camp because their heads are still spinning, so to see those guys come back and feel more comfortable and at ease and kind of taking it in a little more and get a little more out of it is a big thing. Our older guys that have been there a few times, I give them a lot of credit for leading the way and bringing the group together and getting out of their comfort zone and making sure everyone's a part of it. That's the biggest thing.”
On his impression of Mackie Samoskevich: “He's a mature pro and a leader. He's one of those guys I was speaking about that brings the group together. He's a really outgoing kid, very focused, very mature. I know this will be his first real year pro, but he comes off a season that, he's just got that unique swagger about him that guys gravitate towards. He was one of those guys that definitely lead the way all week for us.”
On Mackie thinking he’s ready for the NHL: “Well, that shouldn't be his goal, right? That's what everyone wants to do. So yeah, his focus should be that, I don't see why he couldn't. He's a very strong skater. He's got a fabulous shot. He plays the game the right way, north-south. He's got a great head on his shoulders. He's physically mature, too, which a lot of guys aren't when they're first turning pro, so the sky's the limit for that kid. Whether it's October of this year or January, this kid's going to play.”
On the prospects picking coming to him for tips and advice: “Absolutely. We're on the bus together all the time and there's different guys asking different questions, With Tomi (Maki) and (Mike Ryan), we’re all from different walks of life and we all played pro at different points in our career, so it was just good feedback for the kids to be able to get to know us on a human level and pick our brains about certain stuff, the ups and downs of an NHL career. That's the fun part, is talking to these kids.”
On the evolution of defensemen: “I couldn't do half these drills, even when I was playing in the NHL. That is the big thing I noticed now, the skating, the mobility, the hip work, the 10 and 2 stuff they can do. The game has evolved so much, and all these kids are so much further along than I was when I played, so it's not that hard to mold them into something when they can skate like that.”
On watching the kids go off on their way once camp ends: “The most exciting part is watching them grow over the years. When they've been one, two, three of these, they turn pro, and just seeing the changes in their attitudes, their physical development, their maturity and watching the guys that were the quiet ones now become the leaders of the group for the rest of the group, so that's when we know we've done our job.”
On his impression of Owen Brady: “He’s a great kid. From a personality standpoint, he stood out maybe amongst the whole group. He's a very funny, humorous guy, great attitude on life. He toughed it out with the stitches, little war wound, he's got a story to tell when he goes back home, but he did a great job this week. We were very fortunate to have him here. He was a pretty special kid.”