QA with Connor Brickley

Take it to the bank, Des Moines Buccaneer Connor Brickley will be the first American-born forward selected from the USHL at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. That may even be the case if one factors in the forwards from the USNTDP, as it's possible Brickley is selected ahead of Jason Zucker. (Any other USNTDP forward taken before Brickley and Zucker? To quote contemporary American philosopher Chad Ochocinco: "Child, please."). From the very first game of the preseason, Brickley's made his presence felt, be it by averaging nearly a point per game on offense (17 goals and 19 assists in 39 games to close February) or by crushing opposing defensemen on the forecheck night in and night out. The speedy Brickley has also left his mark on the international scene, as he's already represented his country three times in 2009-10. The first was at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament in August, the second was at the World Junior A Challenge in November, and the third was with the U.S. Under-18 team for the Six Nations Tournament in February. It also will be no surprise if there is a fourth, at World Under-18 Championships in Belarus with the U.S. Under-18 team. From start to finish this season, Brickley's been a flag-bearer for his country and the flag-bearer amongst his draft-eligible compatriots in the USHL.

McKeen's correspondent Kevin Wey had the opportunity to talk with Connor Brickley after a game in mid-to-late February. Brickley discussed his recent experience at the Six Nations Tournament, his other experiences donning the USA jersey, his season in the USHL to date, his commitment to Vermont, his hockey pedigree, and the NHLers he models his game after.

McKeen's: We'll start on a positive, after the result tonight. Not so long ago, you were playing for Team USA at the Six Nations Tournament. While there, who did you skate with and what was your role on the team?

Brickley: Well, I skated with Rocco Grimaldi, who they called up from the 17 team, and he centered the line of me and Michael Mersch. I was the right wing and Michael Mersch was the left wing. We were fourth line. Some games, we had the opportunity to start some games, but obviously, our line, fighting for the lineup. We were an energy line. Forecheck, get pucks deep, not make mistakes, and create some offense and get some offensive-zone faceoffs for other lines.

McKeen's: (Chuckles) Definitely an offensively talented fourth line.

Brickley: (Chuckles) Yeah. Yes it is.

McKeen's: What was it like stepping into a team that had been playing together, for the most part, all season, and what were your overall impressions of the team?

Brickley: Going in, I know a lot of the guys on the team, going to the 40 camp and kids from back home that I skated with. Coming in, they greeted me well and they knew of me from playing against me and stuff. So, I was welcomed and they knew what kind of player I was so I fit in and I did my job and I got their respect. So, it was all-around good.

McKeen's: Ryan Rezmierski usually calls up the person that fits in with precisely what they need at that point and obviously bringing you in, you're bringing in a two-way player with speed.

Brickley: I talked with coach Rezmierski. Going over there with the Olympic sheet, he said they like that, my speed and my physicality. So, I fit in well being a wing, going up and down the ice.

McKeen's: Maybe you'll represent the country one more time, here in April.

Brickley: Yeah, in April, the Worlds. Yeah, I hope so.

McKeen's: How did you feel you did at the tournament and how did the play there compare to what you play every night here in the USHL?

Brickley: We played five games. I ended with two goals and an assist, so three points. I thought I played really well, and I got good feedback from the coaches. They thought I played well also, so that was a positive. Versus the USHL, we played the European teams, so they're a lot East-West rather than North and South in the USHL. So, it's a lot faster back here, more decisions, quicker decisions. Over there, it was a lot slower. The Euros would slow the game down a little bit. It was, I wouldn't say easier, but you had more time to make decisions and they weren't so physical over there, either. So, it was a pretty big difference.

McKeen's: What were your impressions of Belarus? I don't know if that's a country you ever envisioned yourself going to.

Brickley: (Chuckles) Yeah. Belarus, I didn't know that we were going to Belarus, I just thought we were going to Russia, somewhere in Russia. Minsk, Belarus, it's different. I was over in Slovakia, and Belarus was a lot different than that. It was interesting. Most of the shops are actually underground, and it snowed a lot, every day we were there. It was a big difference from here.

McKeen's: Really? That sounds like Des Moines a lot this year.

Brickley: Well, yeah, it snowed a lot today.

McKeen's: With the USHL, how do you feel 2009-10 has gone for Connor Brickley?

Brickley: Yeah, so far so good. I've stuck to my game plan coming into the year, not knowing really what to expect. I wanted to try to get a point per game, and roughly I'm around there, like three points shy. That was my plan going into it, and that's going to remain my plan for the rest of the year. So, I feel like I've been right along, doing well.

McKeen's: What were the biggest adjustments for you coming into the USHL and also the areas that you feel you've improved the most this year?

Brickley: Well, I play wing here. Back home, I was a center. I play wing for coach [Mike] Guentzel, and he's shown me more defensive aspects of the game, getting pucks out, and focusing on my game North and South and being a power forward. Coach Guentzel has really guided me to be the player that I am. He critiques me if I try to go somewhere else. He puts me right back on track. The biggest adjustment would probably just be the quicker decisions, the more physical play. Everyone that's out here, they're big and they're also fast. So, that's the big difference.

McKeen's: Do you foresee yourself long term as a winger, or going back to center, or possibly playing all three?

Brickley: Well, yeah. I feel like I'm very versatile. I played right wing when I was in Belarus. I play left wing here, and I played center when I was back home. So, either way, I'm comfortable wherever, because I feel comfortable on my feet. So, wherever I can just skate around.

McKeen's: Moving forward, what areas of your game do you feel you need to improve on the most to take your game to the next level?

Brickley: Coach Guentzel, we really focus on my defense, getting pucks out, and my turnovers, my offensive-zone turnovers, just getting pucks out, flipping them out. I've been really working on that, and shot blocking, and throwing the puck down low.

McKeen's: You've touched on this a little bit, but for those who have not seen you play, what would you say are the strengths of your game and the style that you play?

Brickley: Strengths of my game? Getting the puck deep and using my speed. If a defenseman has a bad gap, I can go around him. If they don't, then I can use my speed and get it deep, and I like to play physical. That doesn't hurt, either.

McKeen's: (Chuckles). Yeah, every time I see you I take a few notes that go: "Brickley, space, crashes into the corner on the defenseman."

Brickley: (Chuckles) Yeah. I like to do that. It helps the crowd, helps the team.

McKeen's: Not so long ago, you were playing at the USHL All-Star Game, and if I remember right, the coach for your team was Pat Westrum, a scout for the Montreal Canadiens. What did he say to you guys before the game, during, and after?

Brickley: He touched on not taking it likely. Being the All-Star Game, everyone wants to show off their stuff, and, being the All-Star Game, no one was going to run guys, but the coach really focused on "you're being evaluated, so play hard." Being out there, it was a lot different. Some guys, you're trying to be offensive and doing stuff that you wouldn't do, because not everyone's trying really hard. But, it was a good game and the coaches reiterated every shift, "Play hard." That's what he was talking about most of the time.

McKeen's: I talked with Kevin Gravel a couple weeks ago and that's what he said. He said, "You're not in the NHL yet don't take this game too lightly."

Brickley: You're trying to be in the NHL, you're not in the NHL All-Star Game just yet.

McKeen's: In your season in the USHL, which opponents have impressed you the most and why and, if this any different, who are the most difficult players to play against.

Brickley: Yeah, you always want to be tough to play against. Teams against us, Matt White is a good player. Jaden Schwartz is also a good player, we play him tomorrow. On our team, T.J. Tynan really impressed me. Really impressed, actually. Players, on the spot right now, I can't really think of a lot of guys. But, there's a lot of high-end players on each team. You always take notes every game. There's always going to be a guy that's a real impact player.

McKeen's: I noticed at the end tonight that coach Guentzel had you, Lenz, and Tynan together. So, maybe…

Brickley: Yeah, that was the line at the beginning of the year. So, and then we switched it around a little bit, trying to even out down further lines, trying to get some depth. Things weren't really going our way today, obviously. So, I think coach wanted to throw us back out there, see what happened. We were very hopeful on the bench, so he threw us out there, and we were lucky enough to get a goal.

McKeen's: You touched upon how you played for Team USA on a couple occasions earlier this year, the World Junior A Challenge being one of those. Who did you skate with there and, similar to earlier, describe your role on that team.

Brickley: The Junior A Challenge, we had 13 forwards. So, we had an odd man out, and I would rotate in with the fourth line. I skated with John Parker, Nick Sorkin, and Christopher Crane. Same role. I would rotate in, do my part, no turnovers, get the puck deep. Same idea, except this time I would say I was a lot more valuable coming back from Russia (Belarus). In Russia, we were rolling lines and I was starting games, and sometimes I even got double-shifted. You got rewarded for how you were playing up there, trying to win. Out in Russia, I felt more valuable to my team.

McKeen's: Different tournament, same question. Who were your linemates at the Hlinka Tournament and was your role any different on that team?

Brickley: I played with Nick Bjugstad and Brian Ferlin, on the Indiana Ice. I couldn't say I really had a role on that team. We were very offensive, playing the first/second line. So, we were getting out there, putting up some points, getting some goals. So, that was positive, too.

McKeen's: I think I know the answer to this based on some of your previous answers, but at which tournament did you feel you played the best and why?

Brickley: I would have to say, at Ivan Hlinka I played pretty well. I played well there, got good feedback as well. At the Junior A Challenge, every time I was out there I put my all into it. But, I would say the best tournament that I'm coming off of would probably be Russia, the Belarus tournament. I played really well, I battled, and I got good feedback from there, too.

McKeen's: Compare and contrast the style and caliber of play at the three tournaments, the Hlinka, The Challenge, and the Six Nations.

Brickley: What was interesting was, actually, going to the U18s in Russia (Belarus), we played a lot of kids that I recognized from Ivan Hlinka. Like, Sweden, we played Sweden over there. It was a little bit different, because it was further on in the season. Some guys were new, it was a lot faster. Some guys were getting more physical, people wanted it more. The Junior A Challenge, I feel, seeing as it was Junior A hockey, it was very physical, and it was much like the USHL. So, that was really quick. Going back overseas, to Belarus and Slovakia, those were a little bit similar, but the Russian (Belarussian) tournament, I felt like, was a little bit higher than the Slovakia tournament.

McKeen's: In years of talking to players from the USHL, even back when it was the Viking Cup, it was how the Canada West team always plays a physical game.

Brickley: Yeah, they were a real physical team. We watched the game beforehand, Canada West, I think they played Canada East. But, yeah, they were physical against each other.

McKeen's: (Chuckles) I don't doubt it.

Brickley: (Smiles) Yeah. Then, when they played us, we had some guys that felt those hits as well.

McKeen's: The next stop for you is Vermont. At what point did colleges start contacting you, what programs were in the running toward the end, if I might ask, and what made you decide on Vermont in the end?

Brickley: Playing freshman year at Belmont Hill and then going to the 16 Festival. Out of 16 Festival, I was contacted by a couple teams, and then going into my sophomore year at Belmont Hill. So, I was talking to the Boston schools. In my running, it was mainly between (pauses), I talked to Harvard a lot, BU, and Vermont, and also UNH. For me, Vermont was the team that contacted me first. They were very open about what they wanted from me, and when they wanted me, and how much they wanted me. So, they were the team that offered me the first, and we put it on hold. It was really early, because my parents and I weren't really sure what I wanted to do. So, I went to my sophomore season, and halfway through the sophomore season, I decided Vermont would be the best spot. The coaches were great to me, and they know what kind of player I am. I feel it was the best fit for me.

McKeen's: Based on that response, what are Vermont's expectations for you?

Brickley: They really want me to be an impact player for them offensively, help on the powerplay, and also give the team energy. That's just the type of player I am, and that's why I look forward to it.

McKeen's: As you've touched upon, prior to playing for Des Moines, you played for Belmont Hill in the prep ranks. Who were some of the best players you played against there and why and what made each of those guys so good?

Brickley: Kevin Hayes, for sure, and Bill Arnold. Bill Arnold's on the U18 USA team. Those are actually good friends of mine, both of them, I always played with them growing up. Also, Charlie Coyle, who's in the "EJ" (EJHL) right now. They were great players. From my team, Brandon McNally, he was a great player as well. He's still in the prep league with Kevin. They're both doing pretty well.

McKeen's: Sounds like you have the U.S. National team fill-ins covered between Hayes and Coyle…

Brickley: (Chuckles) Yeah. They've all gotten the opportunity overseas with me and then this year as well, playing for the U18 team.

McKeen's: Maybe in the long run, who knows, Kevin will catch up to Jimmy.

Brickley: Yep. He's projecting well.

McKeen's: Going back to the beginning of your hockey career, when did you first start playing and how did you get that start?

Brickley: I believe my dad would tell me that I started playing at three, and it was my dad who got me into hockey, Craig Brickley. He played hockey as well. He played at the University of Pennsylvania, when they had a Division 1 team for coach [Robert] Crocker. He was drafted by the LA Kings. Hockey was a passion for him, and he used it for high school and through college. So, he taught my brother and I hockey, and stuck with it ever since.

McKeen's: How old is your brother?

Brickley: My brother (Brendan) is 20 years old and he plays at the University of New England.

McKeen's: Okay, DIII.

Brickley: Yeah.

McKeen's: For what organizations did you skate for in youth hockey coming up through the ranks from mites, squirts, pee wee, and all of that?

Brickley: I started with, well, way back, I played for the 91 St. Moritz Devils, and that's when I first met Kevin Hayes. We were like eight on that team. That's when we started our friendship. After that, I played with the Jr. Eagles all the way up. The coaches were affiliated with Belmont Hill, and that's how I actually got introduced to Belmont Hill, and our friends were on the team. So, I played with the Eagles all the way up through high school.

McKeen's: It's your draft year, and short of something terribly tragic, you will be drafted. With a player of your caliber, you guys usually have a family advisor. So, do you have representation?

Brickley: I do have a family advisor, Jim Troy, Empire Sports. I was contacted by Jim last year, and that's when I hooked up with Jim.

McKeen's: With the draft, do you have any goals or expectations regarding that?

Brickley: You know? I'm just trying to play really hard. I don't want to jinx anything, all the superstitions. I just want to be the best player that I can be, and obviously if a team picks me up high, it'd be incredible. Obviously, just like any hockey player, you want to go the highest you possibly can, and whatever team wants you the most. Just going in with an open heart right now.

McKeen's: Given your status as a prospect, I'd say it's possible to see you go in the second round or at least the early third round, based off of Josh Birkholz from last year. So, it's possible an NHL team might pressure you a little bit to go the major junior route. Would you ever entertain that, and why or why not?

Brickley: I was drafted by the Lewiston MAINEiacs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. That (pauses), it's been an option. It's been there, but the big decision was coming out here, when I came out here this year. Obviously, I was contacted a lot over the summer by Lewiston, and they wanted me to go out, according to my projections for the draft and all of that. So, I came out here because my family's always gone college, and my parents' expectations for me to go to college, and I always wanted to play college hockey and win that national championship.

McKeen's: Given your pedigree, I can understand that. That kind of goes into my next question fairly well. You're (pauses), uncle, Andy Brickley…

Brickley: Second cousin.

McKeen's: Oh, second cousin?

Brickley: My dad's cousin, yeah.

McKeen's: Oh, okay. I sometimes lose track of what qualifies someone as a second cousin and what not. Obviously your dad gave you a lot of advice, but what degree did Andy offer you advice over the course of your career and what did he tell you?

Brickley: Yeah. I have a big hockey family. Also, my cousin Quintin, also played at UNH, and Andy played at UNH. I haven't really spoke with Andy through my hockey, any advice. So, I wouldn't really know what to say.

McKeen's: Sounds like there isn't much to say. What's some of the advice your father's offered you over the years that has helped you the most?

Brickley: He's always told me to stick to the plan. I always have to set goals, and I've been fortunate enough to reach my goals this year. We always have a plan. He's always told me to stick to the plan, don't get too ahead of myself, live in the moment. Also, coach Guentzel has always reiterated that, to live in the moment and take each day day-by-day. So, don't look too forward. That's the advice he's been giving me.

McKeen's: Sure. It's easy to look ahead with things and worry about things and then when you do that, it seems like the present doesn't take care of itself.

Brickley: Yeah, exactly.

McKeen's: Lastly, who were some of your favorite players growing up and why and who are players today who you feel you're similar to or that you'd like to equate to?

Brickley: I'd have to say, being from Boston, I always watched the Boston Bruins, Cam Neely, obviously.

McKeen's: There's some resemblance.

Brickley: Yeah. He's a great player. He could score and he could hit, he could fight, he was a good power forward, among the best in the league. I always like to model myself off of him, obviously, hoping to be somewhat as good as he was. That's the type of player I want to be, a goal-scorer/power forward. I try to base it off him.

McKeen's: Any current players?

Brickley: Current players? Yeah, absolutely. Jarome Iginla, he's a great player. For Boston, right now, Milan Lucic.

McKeen's: (Chuckles) Staying with the power forwards.

Brickley: (Chuckles) Yeah, exactly.

McKeen's: If it were on Amazon.com it'd be like, "If you like Cam Neely, you might like Jarome Iginla," or "Milan Lucic."

Brickley: (Chuckles) Yep.