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Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Oct 23, 2004 15:28:36 GMT -5
One of Cornell's top defenceman is Ryan O'Byrne, a sophomore from Victoria. The 6-foot-5 O'Byrne was regarded as a project when the Canadiens drafted him in the third round in 2003, but he has developed into a strong, physical defenceman. "He was at our summer development camp, and you could see that he was bigger and stronger than when we drafted him," Canadiens assistant general manager Andre Savard said recently. A lot bigger and a lot stronger, Cornell coach Mike Schafer noted. "He came in here at 209 pounds and he's now 255," said Schafer. "He was very aggressive right from the start, but the thing that sets him apart is that he's a great skater. You don't see guys like him who can skate like that." The Canadiens also have drafted Jon Gleed, a junior from Milton, Ont. He and O'Byrne are among the 10 Cornell players who have been drafted by NHL teams, but there's another bright prospect in 18-year-old freshman Sasha Pokulok, who will be eligible for the 2005 draft - if there is one. - www.canada.com/sports/hockey/canadiensstory.html?id=4ba25a89-bc87-455f-923c-a32ba43d129b |
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Post by Habit on Oct 23, 2004 15:40:56 GMT -5
"He came in here at 209 pounds and he's now 255," said Schafer. "He was very aggressive right from the start, but the thing that sets him apart is that he's a great skater. You don't see guys like him who can skate like that." I wonder how much of that is muscle and how much is College life? If his BMI is low, like Ivanas (sp?) he will be another giant. I know Chara is 6'9", 260 lbs. O'byrne will still gain some weight before he is NHL ready. Imagine a 6'6" 270 lbs juggernaught taking you out behind the boards? Scary! |
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Post by blaise on Oct 23, 2004 18:05:24 GMT -5
When I saw O'Byrne last year he was pinning forwards against the boards or knocking them down but he wasn't crushing them. I pointed out at the time that he would be better if he filled out. If he really is 265 with a low body fat content he will have exceeded what I hope for, and I can imagine him teaming very effectively with Komisarek against some of the big teams that have pushed the Habs around in the past. By ordinary biometric standards O'Byrne would be in the obese range, with a BMI somewhat above 30, but such "obesity" is misleading because it would be true of any lean but muscular individual because muscle is denser than adipose tissue.
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Post by Habs_fan_in_LA on Oct 25, 2004 10:34:19 GMT -5
255 is pretty big. Bigger than Komisarek, Stewart and Bernier. If he added muscle great, if he added fat and can still skate, that's not too bad.
Komisarek, O'Byrne and Ivananis will welcome Lindros into the corners for a discussion.
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Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Oct 25, 2004 12:06:17 GMT -5
255 is pretty big. Bigger than Komisarek, Stewart and Bernier. If he added muscle great, if he added fat and can still skate, that's not too bad. Komisarek, O'Byrne and Ivananis will welcome Lindros into the corners for a discussion. Now if only Archer, the 6'4 215lb beanpole, would eat his steak and eggs... |
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Post by blaise on Oct 25, 2004 12:29:02 GMT -5
255 is pretty big. Bigger than Komisarek, Stewart and Bernier. If he added muscle great, if he added fat and can still skate, that's not too bad. Komisarek, O'Byrne and Ivananis will welcome Lindros into the corners for a discussion. Football linemen add fat so that they can absorb the constant pounding. However, hockey players, who sometimes have to skate 20 mph or faster, would find the fat to be a burden. |
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Post by seventeen on Oct 25, 2004 23:57:48 GMT -5
However, hockey players, .........would find the fat to be a burden. But a very enjoyable pastime putting it on. |
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Post by Habs_fan_in_LA on Oct 27, 2004 5:19:44 GMT -5
Football linemen add fat so that they can absorb the constant pounding. However, hockey players, who sometimes have to skate 20 mph or faster, would find the fat to be a burden. In football (and Sumo) the extra weight makes it harder for your opponent to move you. In weightlifting extra strength comes with extra weight. Football linemen consider chasing a quarterback 10 yards a long distance run. We have all seen big men carrying a little extra weight (love handles) and still moving quick and strong. Bouillion packs a lot of weight on his 5'2" frame and still gets around the rink pretty fast, but O'Byrne may be more effective moving power forwards out of the slot at 255lbs than Bouillion at 200lbs. |
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Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Oct 27, 2004 8:59:46 GMT -5
Didn't notice Savard or the Cornell coach voicing any concerns about O'Byrne's weight orm conditioning, and they would be the first to say "He'd be even better if he would drop a few pounds."
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Post by blaise on Oct 27, 2004 18:57:00 GMT -5
Lost in this back-and-forth about O'Byrne's weight is his size. I like tall defensemen because of their reach--it's harder to get around them.
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Post by seventeen on Nov 6, 2004 21:51:37 GMT -5
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Post by blaise on Nov 7, 2004 1:09:19 GMT -5
O'Byrne got an assist in that game.
Incidentally, one of the top NCAA players, Hugh Jessiman of Dartmouth, drafted by the Rangers at #12 in 2003 (2 places after Kostitsyn), suffered an ankle injury Friday night.
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Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Nov 7, 2004 6:04:51 GMT -5
O'Byrne got an assist in that game. Incidentally, one of the top NCAA players, Hugh Jessiman of Dartmouth, drafted by the Rangers at #12 in 2003 (2 places after Kostitsyn), suffered an ankle injury Friday night. Could mean more icetime for JT Wyman, though there are 3 other freshman forwards on the team. |
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Post by montreal on Nov 7, 2004 10:35:44 GMT -5
Could mean more icetime for JT Wyman, though there are 3 other freshman forwards on the team. Of those 3, David Jones (avs) plays on the top line with Jessiman/Stempinak. Nick Johnson (pit) was getting about the same ice time as Wyman, but has had more success in his offensive production with 2 pts so far. 1g 1a. Don't remember seeing Grecu though. |
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