NE Prep: QA with Avons Danny New

Danny New is ranked # 157 on Central Scouting's Mid-Term Ranking and has committed to Providence for 2008. New is very consistent and does the little things well. He moves the puck through the defensive and neutral zone with crisp tape-to-tape passes. He is a smooth-skating defenseman who has solid positioning defensively. He was relied to log a lot of icetime and proved to be very effective on the PK. Overall, he plays a safe and smart game that many scouts love to see.

McKeen's correspondent Vincent Montalbano, recently had the chance to interview the talented defenseman fresh off his second-consecutive prep championship. The 2008 draft-eligible prospect talks about his game, the upcoming draft, future college commitments, his experience with Avon thus far and his plans for the summer.

McKeen's: How did you become interested in hockey? At what age did you start playing organized hockey?

New: I started skating when I was four, my dad played and passed it on to my brother and I.

McKeen's: Describe the type of game you play. What are your strengths? Weaknesses?

New: I play a strong game defensively when the puck is on the opponents stick and when we have control, I have a knack for joining the rush. I like to be as physical as I can in my corners and concentrate on making every first pass out of the zone tape to tape.

McKeen's: What would you say is the most underrated facet to your game?

New: I think my offensive abilities and skills, since I am a defenseman, I am not always rushing and dangling but I do posses skills to do so.

McKeen's: Which NHL player do you model your game after and why?

New: I would say Scott Niedermayer because I really concentrate on my skating, which is really the backbone to my game and I notice his long stride and would like to compare it to mine. I also like Dion Phaneuf of the Calgary Flames because he is skilled with the puck and likes to lay the body.

McKeen's: Who are the five most talented players you have played against and what specifically do you admire about their styles?

New: Well I have played shinny hockey and scrimmages with some amazing players, some people probably wouldn't believe me if I dropped the names of the pros that I play with in the summer. I have learned a lot from these serious NHL players and I am lucky to train with them. But a few of the many great players that are in my age group that I have played against are:

Cam Atkinson - because they say speed kills and Cammy has some serious speed with a pair of hands and a competitive attitude to go with it. When he takes a defenseman wide or cuts to the middle on a defenseman, it's almost hopeless for that d-man. He reminds me of Nate Gerbe on BC.

Kevin Shattenkirk - Kevin is a good friend of mine and also a great hockey player. I always liked playing with and against Kevin because he has great puck control and patience. He has always been dominant out on the ice and makes few mistakes if any during a game.

Nick Bonino - Nick has a set of hands that is pro-caliber already and a shot to go with it. He makes great passes and is so smooth with the puck when stickhandling. He is very hard to defend because of his creativity and skill set.

Max Pacioretty - Max is a big guy who uses his leverage to his advantage. When he skates down on you its almost smart to give him extra gap because he closes it so quickly with his long powerful strides and quick moves to go around or toe drag you. He likes to hit and shoot and is a threat at all times on the ice.

Alexander Killorn - He is a finesse player that also has a good frame to protect the puck that always seems to be on his stick. He has a move on defensemen that beats them a lot on the right boards where he does sort of a backhand toe drag and waits for the d-man to bite then lowers his shoulder and goes to the outside. He is a great player and always dangerous on offense.

McKeen's: You are from White Plains, NY. Where did you play before attending Avon? What made you decide to go to Avon out of all the prep schools in CT?

New: I played for a couple clubs growing up, but right before Avon I played for the Brewster Junior B Bulldogs out of New York and before that with the New Jersey Junior Devils. I decided to go to Avon after my visit there I liked coach Gardner and coach Maniscalco. The big attraction to Avon was there history and placement of players.

McKeen's: Describe your decision process in committing to Providence? What are you looking forward most to playing at Providence with coach Tim Army?

New: The process to Providence was pretty fast actually. I played a couple games with my club team Mid-Fairfield and my coach, Mr. Dwyer, told me that they were interested and that they would be at the next couple of games. The Providence coaching staff came to a weekend series and had me on their campus the next week. With my one visit to Providence and meeting and speaking with coach Army, I knew that PC was the place for me. I am most excited to play the systems coach Army likes to play, he likes skilled good skating players that play a fast-paced, high-intensity game, which is fun and successful. So, I am excited for that and just to jump into college hockey.

McKeen's: Were there any other schools in the mix?

New: Other schools were: Northeastern, UNH, Quinnipiac, Colgate and Union.

McKeen's: What were your expectations coming into this season and does playing at a school like Avon have higher expectations than most schools every year?

New: My expectations were high since we won the year before and since I wanted to have a big year offensively. After I got hurt in the second game and was sidelined for nine games, I had to come out with a bang to still try and salvage a successful year, which I feel I did. The expectations at Avon are always high, all the guys are competitive and coach Gardner as well. I mean that guy doesn't like to lose to his grandchildren, Avon has playoff expectations every year, the guys just like to win.

McKeen's: You recently won your second prep championship, what was the difference between last years and this year?

New: They both were huge experiences for me but this year was a little more special since I was able to leave the school with the title. Also, there was more weight on my shoulders this year and higher expectations from the coaches to lead the defense and help out the younger guys like all seniors are expected.

McKeen's: What do you think about coach Gardner and the job he has done at Avon (7 prep championships – most of any prep school)?

New: Coach Gardner just knows hockey. He runs great practices, attracts talented players, and gets all the guys working and fighting to make each other better everyday. His numbers are outstanding. He has the most wins, the most titles, his stats speak for themselves. But he really is a fair guy that looks out for his boys.

McKeen's: Describe your summer. Do you play a lot of hockey or relax and workout? What do you focus on during off-season training?

New: The summer is big for me as it is for all hockey guys. I train hard five days a week with awesome trainers and skate around three to four times a week. I weight lift but also do a lot of plyometrics and quick feet agility work. But I think it's important to relax in the summer too, on the weekends I like to go to the beach and grab some sun and do a lot of fishing.

McKeen's: The NHL Entry Draft will be coming up for you this year. Are you thinking about it at all?

New: Every kid dreams of playing in the show some day while following there favorite players on T.V. but I try not to think about it, I just play my game and I think that is all I can do.

McKeen's: Is there an NHL team that you follow closely?

New: New York Rangers...GO BLUE!

McKeen's: Which areas do you consider you have to improve to succeed at the next level in college and further?

New: I need to work on getting stronger, faster, and jumping into the offensive play.

McKeen's Five Fun Questions:

1. What has been your best hockey moment so far? (Goal, hit, etc.)

New: Probably winning back-to-back championships with Avon. Also playing for my dad when he used to coach me.

2. Best thing about your hometown White Plains, NY?

New: There are a lot of things to do.

3. Favorite actor/ actress?

New: Mark Wahlberg and for actress, Meryl Streep.

4. If you had your own theme song, what would it be?

New: Right Now by Van Halen.

5. Best arena you played in?

New: Pepsi Colisee in Quebec.