Prospect Interview featuring - Nathan Burns

McKeen's correspondent Randy Gorman recently had the opportunity to interview forward Nathan Burns of the Vancouver Giants. Burns talks about his game, playing for the Giants and with his brother Michael, his biggest influence in his hockey career to date and the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

McKeen's: Where did you play your minor hockey?

Burns: I played my minor hockey in Edmonton, Alberta for the C.A.C, which is short for the Canadian Athletic Club. I played a couple of year's of bantam and one year of midget for them.

McKeen's: What is the biggest adjustment you had to make coming into the WHL from midget hockey?

Burns: The biggest difference is the speed of the game, and the fact that there isn't a very big gap between the first or fourth lines on each team, as all players have skill and intelligence and play certain roles, and you have to make decisions faster.

McKeen's: Having made the Vancouver Giants last season and playing a full year, how much did that help you in preparing for your draft year this season?

Burns: Yes, when you get a year under your belt you start to figure things out and begin to adjust to the play and the schedule, as well as the conditioning that goes with it.

McKeen's: You battled through injuries both last year and in the beginning of this season. Are you just starting to get your legs so to speak, and what's it like playing on the top line with Craig Cunningham and Brendan Gallagher?

Burns: Obviously with the injury, I could only focus on what I was able to do. I had to work on my cardio and aerobic work to get back into shape. On playing with Cunningham and Gallagher, it's been a great experience to play with two talented players who are able to set you up and find you on the ice.

McKeen's: Are you at top physical shape yet, or will it take a little longer coming back from injury?

Burns: I've been working pretty hard on conditioning. I'm almost there I just have to work on my lower-body conditioning.

McKeen's: Did you set any personal goals going into this season or any team goals.

Burns: Every team's goal is to make the playoffs, if you get into the post season anything can happen. As for myself, I would like to reach the 50-point mark at least, which at this point, is a point a game.

McKeen's: Would it be accurate to say you pride yourself on being a complete player that plays both ends of the ice?

Burns: Giant hockey is about getting pucks deep and fore-checking and following that up with being the first guys in on any fore-check to force turnovers and using the finesse game. On the defensive part of the game, I take great pride in taking opposing teams' chances away in our zone.

McKeen's: How important is defense, especially here in Vancouver with coach Don Hay?

Burns: Don has always had great defensive teams. Obviously, if you can limit the opposition play in your zone you will have a better chance to win with the transition game chances you generate going the other way.

McKeen's: The Giants went out and traded for your brother Michael. How special is it to play with your brother?

Burns: It helps me out a lot, I'm not as home sick, but I'm used to being away from home now. He always pushed me growing up and I looked up to him. Now we can push each other with our own rivalries.

McKeen's: Does it bother you that scouts are watching you all the time?

Burns: I don't really focus on the scouts. I focus on doing what I have to do on the ice that will have a positive effect on my game and the team.

McKeen's: Who has had the biggest impact and influence on your hockey career to date?

Burns: I would say my dad; he has always been supportive and pushed me and my brother to play well.

McKeen's: What is it like to play for an organization like the Vancouver Giants, who in their 10-year existence have had such great success?

Burns: I love it here; it's definitely one of the top organizations in the league. The coaching staff is incredible, they treat you very well and have won so many division and conference championships, and of course a Memorial Cup. The players that they have turned out that have gone on to play pro have been incredible.

McKeen's: What do you feel you have to work on the most this season to advance and be successful at the next level?

Burns: I think I need to get stronger in the corners, to be strong on the puck and the cycle game to be able to rotate and set up plays.

McKeen's: What do you like to do away from the game to relax in the off-season?

Burns: I like to go to the Shuswap area of British Columbia on vacation with my family and friends. It's really fun and relaxing.