Month: May 2020

Up My Hockey loves the journey of becoming a hockey player and Ryan Strome was willing to share his.

As a former 8th overall selection to the Barrie Colts in the OHL draft and a 5th overall selection by the New York Islanders in the 2011 NHL draft, Ryan was on the fast track to NHL fame. Things were expected from him and he was earmarked as a “can’t miss” prospect.

Watching Strome play big minutes this season for the Rangers during a high stake’s playoff drive, it would appear things have naturally worked out as expected. You might think it was smooth sailing for Ryan.

However, when we look a little closer, things were not easy at all. He was a fourth liner as a 16-year-old in junior. He wasn’t identified as a top 40 player for the U-18 program with Hockey Canada. He was the last player selected in the top 10 of the 2011 draft to play an NHL game. He was sent to the minors – a few times. He was a healthy scratch. He was traded twice in 15 months.

Bu through it all Ryan leaned on the support of his family and the foundation of principles that were instilled in him, and he preserved. He did the right thing. He worked hard. He focused on getting better and doing the best he could where he was at. He stayed humble and was willing to learn.

And now he is a top 6 forward, plays 20 minutes a night and is a crucial component of the New York Rangers.

His journey made Strome ready for this opportunity and the opportunity was ready for him.

Not one player knows where their road will take them, but we all have our own path.

To all you parents and players out there, be patient with your path. We all want it to happen right now but most of the time, as Ryan put it, “the obstacle is the way”.

This is the story of Ryan Strome

Ken Holland is one of those names that needs no introduction, but I will give it a try.

Holland has been around the game of hockey his entire life. Originally a goalie with the Medicine Hat Tigers, Holland was selected 188th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1975 NHL entry draft.

Holland went on to play 8 seasons of pro hockey and played 4 games in the NHL – one for the Hartford Whalers, and 3 for the Detroit Red Wings.

After his retirement Ken had a brief job as a door to door vacuum salesman, before landing a job as an area scout for the Red Wings. In 1997 Holland made his ascension up the ranks complete and was named executive Vice President and General Manager. 

Ken helped comprise one of the most potent teams of a generation with the Wings. Aided by drafting two cornerstones in Zetterberg and Datsyuk (round 7 and round 6) Holland gained a reputation as one of the most successful general managers in the NHL. Under his leadership as GM the Red Wings won the Central Division ten times, the regular-season Conference title five times, the President’s trophy four times, and the Stanley Cup three times. Holland and the Wings also lost in Stanley Cup final twice during his tenure.

Ken is now just finishing his first season as GM of the Edmonton Oilers and signed a 5 year contract in late spring 2019.

We cover a lot in this episode. Mostly we focus on the draft, and player development and the road to the show. But we do come off the rails a few time and go down some rabbit holes!

I know you will enjoy this one… it’s not often you get an NHL GM to donate 90 minutes of his time!

Enjoy!