Prospect Interview Featuring - Zachary Yuen

McKeen's correspondent Randy Gorman recently had the opportunity to interview defenseman Zachary Yuen of the Tri-City Americans of the WHL. Yuen talks about his game, his minor hockey roots, playing for the Americans, the biggest influence on his hockey career to date and his thoughts on the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

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

Yuen: From atom hockey right through to bantam, I played for the North Shore Winter Club out of North Vancouver. My midget hockey was played in Vancouver for the Greater Vancouver Canadiens.

McKeen's: What was the biggest adjustment you had to make coming from midget hockey to playing major junior in the WHL with the Tri-City Americans?

Yuen: Definitely, speed and strength, all the guys out there are very strong on those two aspects of the game, more so than playing minor hockey.

McKeen's: Being this your draft year, was there any set goals that you wanted to accomplish, along with any team goals?

Yuen: For the team, we want to win the league championship, we came close last year. As for me, all I want to do is improve every game and hopefully get drafted.

McKeen's: Does it bother you that scouts are watching you play every game?

Yuen: No, it doesn't make a difference to me, you just have to go out there with confidence in your game, and the rest will look after itself.

McKeen's: What are your thoughts on being considered a top WHL prospect in this year's draft?

Yuen: It's exciting for sure, this only happens once in a lifetime, so I'm just trying to stay level headed.

McKeen's: What is the best part of your game, and what are the things you want to work on?

Yuen: The best part of my game is my skating, and things to work on are everything, because I'm never satisfied, I can always improve on all aspects of the game.

McKeen's: What's the experience been like for you playing here in Kennewick, Washington with the Tri-City Americans and this group of players and coach Jim Hiller?

Yuen: It's been good, it's a really great organization, and they really take good care of the players. The guys are good in the room and we believe in each others' abilities.

McKeen's: Is there anybody on your team or on the coaching staff that have taught you some things about playing the game at this level since you've joined the team?

Yuen: The coaches' help us out a lot, as did veterans on defense like Brett Plouffe and Tyler Schmidt when I first joined the team last year.

McKeen's: What type of category of defenseman would you consider yourself, offensive, defensive, or a combination of both?

Yuen: I think a little bit of both, but I like my ability to be a shutdown guy.

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

Yuen: Definitely, my parents, it sounds cliché but they have been really supportive of me, driving me to the rink all those winter mornings.

McKeen's: Growing up watching NHL or pro players, was there a player that you wanted to pattern your game after?

Yuen: Yes, most recently in the last couple of years, Drew Doughty of the Los Angeles Kings, growing up Nicklas Lidstrom. For a pure offensive guy Pavel Bure was a very exciting player to watch as a young kid growing up in Vancouver.

McKeen's: How important is learning to play an all-round defensive game in progressing to the pro-level?

Yuen: Really important, you have to have a balance of both offense and defense. You can't be one dimensional or you won't play at the pro-level.

McKeen's: If there was one thing you could change in the game of hockey, what would that be and why?

Yuen: I would like to see hits to the head eliminated, maybe that's a lot to ask but players' have to be mindful out there about what is considered a good clean check, and what is considered a cheap shot. I've been hit hard in the head area, thankfully, not any concussions so far but I think it has to be addressed and guidelines and standards set and strictly adhered to.

McKeen's: How important is core strength training?

Yuen: Oh it's definitely really important in gaining and maintaining strength, but also in preventing or reducing injuries.

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

Yuen: Other than training, hanging out with friends and family, as you really only get two months off.