Swan: I’m Humbled and Privileged

“I keep using the same words when these opportunities come up; humbled and privileged.” Coach Rick Swan of the Bonnyville Jr A Pontiacs, has been selected as the coach of the Canadian Junior Hockey League Team West Prospect’s Game. The game, on January 25th, showcases the top 40 Junior hockey players in the country and allows NHL and college scouts the chance to see the best of the best in action, at one time.

“I was ecstatic!” There’s 60 great coaches in the CJHL west, the NHL Scouting association had the opportunity to pick any one of them and they selected Coach Swan. “Thanks to my organization for giving me, yet another, three days off, to be involved [in the game]. It’s going to be a benefit for us, as an organization, from a recruiting standpoint. And I get to get better, again. That’s what this game is all about, for me, being an everyday learning and forcing myself to get better everyday. These opportunities force me to do that.”

Players, for the game, are determined by the NHL’s watchlist and were not selected by Coach Swan or the CJHL. That could prove to be a difficult task in coaching the team; but as Swan explains it, it’s up to the players to perform. “It’s their opportunity, their exposure. There’s going to be every NHL scout, every NCAA scout, Western Hockey League. Really it’s about the players.” Being involved with Team Canada West will help Swan in directing the players, “the majority of the kids who were at the [Team West] prospect’s camp, are going to be there. So I have some knowledge of who’s going to be with me. The biggest thing for me, is going to be, to simplify things for them and give them every opportunity to showcase themselves. I’m going to drain everything I can into one hour of work, a whole season.”

Coaching the team is to give them as much advice as I can, without over complicating things. At the same time, keeping it real positive, so they have the opportunity to be at their best. – Rick Swan CJHL Top Prospects Coach for Team West

The Prospect’s Game is January 25th at 5:30 pm in Cornwall, Ont., at Ed Lumley Arena within the confines of the Cornwall Civic Complex.