5 Minutes with Corey Locke
Jul 14, 2003 21:37:53 GMT -5
Post by ED on Jul 14, 2003 21:37:53 GMT -5
Heres an interview with Corey Locke from canadiens.com
www.canadiens.com/english/presse/communique/index.cfm?id=1780
5 minutes with Corey Locke
(14/07/2003)
Locke (left) unloaded to the tune of 63 goals and 151 points on opposing defenses last season.
MONTREAL -- June 21, 2003 may well have been one of the longest days in the 19-year life of Corey Locke.
Surrounded by family members who had accompanied him to the NHL Entry Draft in Nashville, TN, Locke waited through the three opening rounds of activity before retiring to his hotel room no closer to knowing where his future lay than he had hours earlier, when he had arrived at the draft with an optimism befitting the 2002-2003 CHL Player of the Year, a title he had earned after registering 151 points (63 goals and 88 assists) in 66 games with the Ottawa 67’s.
Despite the gaudy statistics, it was the numbers in the personal area of Locke’s biography that were apparently most noteworthy to the majority of scouts, who shied away from his 5-foot-9, 175-pound frame until the fourth round and 113th overall pick. It was there that the Toronto native was at last chosen by the Canadiens, whose Director of Player Personnel, Trevor Timmins, later admitted he was pleasantly surprised to find Locke still available at that stage in the draft.
Fast-forward several weeks and any potential disappointment Locke may have felt in Nashville appears to be but a distant memory. Brandishing a prime-time smile and an infectious enthusiasm that is evident even as he performs something as mundane as a sit-up, Locke appears to be a definite bright spot among the assembled players who attended Montreal’s development camp, which came to a close over the weekend.
Following a workout, Locke took five minutes to speak with canadiens.com and reflect on what has been a whirlwind summer.
canadiens.com: So, how would you rate your time spent in camp, here?
Corey Locke: It’s been a great experience. I didn’t know what to expect coming into a camp like this, and I think it’s just a great opportunity to come and see a city, to see the facilities here before I come back for the real thing (rookie camp) in August. We worked a lot both on-ice and off-ice, and it’s a great learning experience right now.
canadiens.com: Were the seminars and drills you took part in a little more interesting than your average day in school?
CL: Um, yeah. (laughs) But school’s important to me. This is just a little more related to my life, right now, than sitting in a history class trying to remember dates or trying to figure out a math question you’re never going to see again. The seminars here mean more and make you think a little more about your lifestyle and what you need to do.
canadiens.com: Ryan O’Byrne had mentioned that at the draft, he was actually surprised he was selected as high as he was. Some of your comments following the draft suggested you may have been a little disappointed you were ultimately taken where you were. What was your mindset as the initial rounds passed by and you were still waiting to see where you might end up?
CL: For sure, I thought I was going to go earlier, so I was a little disappointed. Right now, though, it doesn’t even really matter. I just wanted one of 30 teams to like me and take a chance on me, give me the opportunity to show what I can do on the ice. That’s what happened with Montreal, and I’m just thrilled to be part of the Canadiens and their history, tradition, and winning attitude around the dressing room and city. There’s motivation, obviously. I wish I would have gone higher, but it’s just a number right now. You have to do so much to make it, it’s just one little stepping stone toward a bigger goal. Right now I’m not worrying about where I went, I’m using that as motivation to prove that maybe I deserved to go a little higher.
canadiens.com: Do you ever get sick of hearing people talk about your size as being a detriment to a potential career in the NHL?
CL: They’re going to talk about my size until the day I die, I think. Everyone talks about how I’m the smallest guy on the ice. It’s just something I’ve had to deal with growing up; I’ve always been a smaller player and I’ve always played against bigger, stronger defensemen and forwards. It’s just something I’ve had to deal with, and I think this year I proved that I can do it and battle through it. That’s something that’s going to have to be done at the next level, in the AHL, and then in the NHL. I’m not expecting to be 6-foot-4. (laughs) I know how big I’m going to be, so I’ve just got to put on some weight and get quicker, and hopefully I do grow a couple more inches. Hopefully people will realize that size doesn’t matter.
canadiens.com: You were born and raised in Toronto. Do you feel like you’re betraying your roots by donning the bleu-blanc-rouge?
CL: (laughs) It’s a tough question. Born in Toronto, I was obviously a Maple Leafs fan growing up, but times change, and feelings change, so I’m definitely a 100-percent Montreal Canadiens’ fan now.
canadiens.com: Did your buddies give you a hard time after you were drafted, calling you a turncoat or whatever?
CL: No, no. They were real happy for me. A couple had been hoping I’d go to Toronto, and were thinking that would be a good fit, but everyone sees that Montreal’s a great place, too, and that it’s close to home. They’re pretty pleased.
canadiens.com: Is it tough to look ahead and realize that realistically, in a best-case scenario you’ve still got a year or two of development time ahead of you before you crack an NHL roster?
CL: For me it doesn’t blow my mind, because I understand it’s a marathon, not a sprint. I wouldn’t expect to jump right into the NHL from the OHL or college. I’m pretty sure I’ll be playing in the AHL for a year, or maybe a couple – hopefully it’s only a year – and then hopefully I’ll get my chance to play in the NHL and show what I can do. For me, I know it’s going to be a little longer process for my body to fill out. To play against bigger and stronger men, I’m going to have to do things gradually. Getting drafted is just one step, and this development camp is another step toward me getting to where I want to be. I know it’s going to take a little while and I’m not too worried about that.
canadiens.com: Even though you just recently turned 19, do you have any kind of perspective on how cool it is that rather than gearing up for a summer job at the mall or whatever, you’re now on the road to earning a living as a professional athlete? Does it seem kind of unbelievable to you?
CL: Oh, for sure. Especially with my life right now. Everything’s moving really quick from the season to the end, then getting drafted and coming to camp, then in the next few weeks I’ll have to be in Calgary for the World Juniors… Everything’s moving a little fast, so sometimes you’ve got to step back, put things in perspective, and enjoy them. That’s the main thing. Some of your friends back home, they don’t have the opportunity you have, so you have to take advantage of it. Sometimes they wish you were in your shoes, and that’s when you realize what you have to do and the sacrifices you have to make. Right now you enjoy every opportunity you get in hockey and hope it takes you to your ultimate goal.
canadiens.com: Speaking of home, are you going to miss the pro-style spreads you’re getting fed here when you leave?
CL: I don’t think so. Hopefully mum’s up for the challenge of making this type of cuisine. (laughs) I’ll put a little pressure on her. I wouldn’t mind learning some recipes, myself, so maybe she can teach me.
www.canadiens.com/english/presse/communique/index.cfm?id=1780
5 minutes with Corey Locke
(14/07/2003)
Locke (left) unloaded to the tune of 63 goals and 151 points on opposing defenses last season.
MONTREAL -- June 21, 2003 may well have been one of the longest days in the 19-year life of Corey Locke.
Surrounded by family members who had accompanied him to the NHL Entry Draft in Nashville, TN, Locke waited through the three opening rounds of activity before retiring to his hotel room no closer to knowing where his future lay than he had hours earlier, when he had arrived at the draft with an optimism befitting the 2002-2003 CHL Player of the Year, a title he had earned after registering 151 points (63 goals and 88 assists) in 66 games with the Ottawa 67’s.
Despite the gaudy statistics, it was the numbers in the personal area of Locke’s biography that were apparently most noteworthy to the majority of scouts, who shied away from his 5-foot-9, 175-pound frame until the fourth round and 113th overall pick. It was there that the Toronto native was at last chosen by the Canadiens, whose Director of Player Personnel, Trevor Timmins, later admitted he was pleasantly surprised to find Locke still available at that stage in the draft.
Fast-forward several weeks and any potential disappointment Locke may have felt in Nashville appears to be but a distant memory. Brandishing a prime-time smile and an infectious enthusiasm that is evident even as he performs something as mundane as a sit-up, Locke appears to be a definite bright spot among the assembled players who attended Montreal’s development camp, which came to a close over the weekend.
Following a workout, Locke took five minutes to speak with canadiens.com and reflect on what has been a whirlwind summer.
canadiens.com: So, how would you rate your time spent in camp, here?
Corey Locke: It’s been a great experience. I didn’t know what to expect coming into a camp like this, and I think it’s just a great opportunity to come and see a city, to see the facilities here before I come back for the real thing (rookie camp) in August. We worked a lot both on-ice and off-ice, and it’s a great learning experience right now.
canadiens.com: Were the seminars and drills you took part in a little more interesting than your average day in school?
CL: Um, yeah. (laughs) But school’s important to me. This is just a little more related to my life, right now, than sitting in a history class trying to remember dates or trying to figure out a math question you’re never going to see again. The seminars here mean more and make you think a little more about your lifestyle and what you need to do.
canadiens.com: Ryan O’Byrne had mentioned that at the draft, he was actually surprised he was selected as high as he was. Some of your comments following the draft suggested you may have been a little disappointed you were ultimately taken where you were. What was your mindset as the initial rounds passed by and you were still waiting to see where you might end up?
CL: For sure, I thought I was going to go earlier, so I was a little disappointed. Right now, though, it doesn’t even really matter. I just wanted one of 30 teams to like me and take a chance on me, give me the opportunity to show what I can do on the ice. That’s what happened with Montreal, and I’m just thrilled to be part of the Canadiens and their history, tradition, and winning attitude around the dressing room and city. There’s motivation, obviously. I wish I would have gone higher, but it’s just a number right now. You have to do so much to make it, it’s just one little stepping stone toward a bigger goal. Right now I’m not worrying about where I went, I’m using that as motivation to prove that maybe I deserved to go a little higher.
canadiens.com: Do you ever get sick of hearing people talk about your size as being a detriment to a potential career in the NHL?
CL: They’re going to talk about my size until the day I die, I think. Everyone talks about how I’m the smallest guy on the ice. It’s just something I’ve had to deal with growing up; I’ve always been a smaller player and I’ve always played against bigger, stronger defensemen and forwards. It’s just something I’ve had to deal with, and I think this year I proved that I can do it and battle through it. That’s something that’s going to have to be done at the next level, in the AHL, and then in the NHL. I’m not expecting to be 6-foot-4. (laughs) I know how big I’m going to be, so I’ve just got to put on some weight and get quicker, and hopefully I do grow a couple more inches. Hopefully people will realize that size doesn’t matter.
canadiens.com: You were born and raised in Toronto. Do you feel like you’re betraying your roots by donning the bleu-blanc-rouge?
CL: (laughs) It’s a tough question. Born in Toronto, I was obviously a Maple Leafs fan growing up, but times change, and feelings change, so I’m definitely a 100-percent Montreal Canadiens’ fan now.
canadiens.com: Did your buddies give you a hard time after you were drafted, calling you a turncoat or whatever?
CL: No, no. They were real happy for me. A couple had been hoping I’d go to Toronto, and were thinking that would be a good fit, but everyone sees that Montreal’s a great place, too, and that it’s close to home. They’re pretty pleased.
canadiens.com: Is it tough to look ahead and realize that realistically, in a best-case scenario you’ve still got a year or two of development time ahead of you before you crack an NHL roster?
CL: For me it doesn’t blow my mind, because I understand it’s a marathon, not a sprint. I wouldn’t expect to jump right into the NHL from the OHL or college. I’m pretty sure I’ll be playing in the AHL for a year, or maybe a couple – hopefully it’s only a year – and then hopefully I’ll get my chance to play in the NHL and show what I can do. For me, I know it’s going to be a little longer process for my body to fill out. To play against bigger and stronger men, I’m going to have to do things gradually. Getting drafted is just one step, and this development camp is another step toward me getting to where I want to be. I know it’s going to take a little while and I’m not too worried about that.
canadiens.com: Even though you just recently turned 19, do you have any kind of perspective on how cool it is that rather than gearing up for a summer job at the mall or whatever, you’re now on the road to earning a living as a professional athlete? Does it seem kind of unbelievable to you?
CL: Oh, for sure. Especially with my life right now. Everything’s moving really quick from the season to the end, then getting drafted and coming to camp, then in the next few weeks I’ll have to be in Calgary for the World Juniors… Everything’s moving a little fast, so sometimes you’ve got to step back, put things in perspective, and enjoy them. That’s the main thing. Some of your friends back home, they don’t have the opportunity you have, so you have to take advantage of it. Sometimes they wish you were in your shoes, and that’s when you realize what you have to do and the sacrifices you have to make. Right now you enjoy every opportunity you get in hockey and hope it takes you to your ultimate goal.
canadiens.com: Speaking of home, are you going to miss the pro-style spreads you’re getting fed here when you leave?
CL: I don’t think so. Hopefully mum’s up for the challenge of making this type of cuisine. (laughs) I’ll put a little pressure on her. I wouldn’t mind learning some recipes, myself, so maybe she can teach me.
