QA with Garrett Allen

Fargo Force forward Garrett Allen has somehow toiled all of 2009-10 under the radar. He wasn't selected to play for Team USA at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament or at the World Junior A Challenge. He wasn't selected to play at the USHL All-Star Game, and he wasn't on Central Scouting's preliminary rankings, mid-term rankings, or final rankings. However, if one looks at the USHL's scoring leaders, he or she will find that it was one Garrett Allen who was second in goals scored (24) amongst all USHLers in their first year or draft eligibility - behind only Jaden Schwartz (33) - and was fourth in overall scoring (42 points) amongst such USHLers - behind Schwartz (83), T.J. Tynan (77), and Connor Brickley (43). Add in the fact that Allen, the nephew of Olympic speed-skating legend Bonnie Blair, is one of the smoothest, most efficient skaters in the USHL, and the fact that he's proven he can play a conscientious two-way game, and Allen is one of the most underrated USHL prospects for the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

McKeen's correspondent Kevin Wey was able to interview Allen toward the end of the USHL regular season and discussed Allen's impressive rookie season, his speed-skating background, his famous aunt and uncle, his commitment to Denver University, his prospects for the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, his minor hockey, and the NHLer he likes most.

McKeen's: Well, you're almost done with what will be your rookie season in the USHL, and you've done pretty well for yourself, right up there amongst the league leaders in goal scoring amongst USHLers in their first year of draft eligibility. So, you're doing pretty well in that regard. With that, what were the keys to your success both in preparing last summer?

Allen: You've got to work out and train every day during the summer and just try to prepare yourself. I mean, you can play hockey, but nothing prepares you like a game tempo. You can practice all you want, but you've got to come ready and you've got to come in shape and go from there.

McKeen's: Keys during the season for your success on the ice during the year?

Allen: It's a big change from midgets. You've got to work hard in practice. You've got to earn everything coming here. Obviously, coming to a new team and new coaches, you've got to prove yourself, where you didn't have to do that so much when you were down in midgets. So, you've got to prove yourself to your teammates and your coaches.

McKeen's: Looking back, what were your expectations heading into the season, and have you exceeded your expectations, met them, or maybe you had really high expectations and you've fallen short?

Allen: Oh (pauses)… they were kind of low coming in, because I didn't know what to expect, obviously, bigger, stronger. I didn't know what to expect coming in. So, I definitely exceeded expectations I set for myself at the beginning of the season. I'm doing pretty well for myself.

McKeen's: I guess that begs what were the expectations then? I don't know if you had any marks set, if you're not into bean counting…

Allen: I didn't. I mean, the team comes first, obviously, and we've got to get the two points every night. But, individually, I didn't think I'd be doing as well I have, that's for sure. I'm doing pretty well for points this year. I've been playing the whole year with Matt Leitner, which has been making it a lot easier. We seem to know where each other are. He's got great vision. We just click. He seems to know where I am at the right time and at the right place. I just use my skating to get me there.

McKeen's: Matt is a good playmaker, there's no two ways around that. You've kind of touched on this already, but tell me more about what have been the biggest adjustments for you coming from midgets, Team Illinois in your case, to the USHL?

Allen: It was night and day. Coming here, the speed of the game, the tempo, the pace of it, every pass is hard, guys are finishing their checks, and the guys are obviously a lot bigger. I'm still pretty young in the league, so I'm playing against a lot of older guys that have had a lot more years in the league and a few more years to mature.

McKeen's: In what areas of your game do you feel you've improved the most here in 2009-10?

Allen: Definitely working hard and completing my game, playing defense in the neutral zone, and my offensive ability has definitely picked up this year. I just keep on working hard and good things happen.

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

Allen: Definitely my strength. You always can improve playing defense, there's no doubt about that, and just my strength overall. Basically, one-on-one battle drills. I can get to the puck, but I've got to work on puck protection.

McKeen's: What do you think will help you the most to win more one-on-one battles in the meantime?

Allen: I just try to keep my feet moving right now, because I know I don't have the size. I know I'll grow eventually, when I start to mature more. I've just got to get to that puck first and keep moving my feet.

McKeen's: Hard to gain all the lower body strength and core strength mid-season that you need to make major gains on that.

Allen: Yeah. That's what the summer's for.

McKeen's: On the flipside, we've talked about improvement, but what are the strengths of your game and, for people who haven't seen you play, the style that you play?

Allen: I definitely use my skating a lot, there's no doubt about that. Like, going into the puck, I don't necessarily try to rock the guy every time I go in there, I just try to get them off the puck, get a stick off ice, so I can get in there and get the puck from him. But, I use my skating and my passing.

McKeen's: You mentioned skating and passing, but it can't be all Matt Leitner why you have the goals you do…

Allen: Yeah. I mean, I don't have the hardest shot, but when I have time (pauses)…

McKeen's: Can put it home.

Allen: Yeah. I'm good when I get by the net.

McKeen's: It's my understanding, if I've read this right, that you have some world-class skaters in your extended family. I believe one Bonnie Blair and one David Cruikshank. Is that right?

Allen: Yep, yep.

McKeen's: Alright. I saw a video with the Force that you started out speed skating. When did you first start speed skating, how long were you in it, and do you still speed skate at all?

Allen: I do speed skate a bit. It's a really good lower body workout. It definitely burns your legs. I did it up until I was about five, even probably more than that. But, I was really serious into it. Then I got introduced to hockey by my dad and I kind of started changing over and I had to pick one or the other, because they conflicted with each other. So, I ended up picking hockey. There's no doubt about it that the technique and all of that definitely helps. It's kind of in my genes a little bit with my mom and my aunt.

McKeen's: Going by what you just said, I think I know this, but how do the family ties work out?

Allen: Bonnie Blair is my mom's sister.

McKeen's: And, of course, she married David.

Allen: Yeah. Right, she married David.

McKeen's: How old were you when you first started speed skating?

Allen: I was probably about two. I was young.

McKeen's: Nice. I wasn't aware that they made speed skates that small.

Allen: It's not like I was out there by myself, obviously. My parents are out there helping me. Well, my mom and Bonnie were, and David at the time. They definitely helped me. I liked it. It was fun.

McKeen's: With David, he's now known for his DC Hybrid Skating, and I've seen some of the results. I used to see a lot of Iowa Stars games, and he used to work with some of their guys, and he transformed a couple of their guys' strides. So, have you worked with David a lot over the years with your skating and, if so, what are some of the things you've done with him?

Allen: Yep. I don't even know how long I've been working out with him. It's been quite some time. It's definitely a huge benefit having him. He trains a lot of pro guys, a lot of AHL guys, USHL guys. We just work out five to six times a week. All of our workouts, they're not necessarily to get really big, they're for legs and skating. When they're on the ice, we do a lot of specific skating drills that get our technique right.

McKeen's: You've touched on this next question a bit, but there have been speed skaters like Dan Jansen who have been skating coaches, for the Blackhawks in Jansen's case, and others as well. In what ways do you feel the principles of speed skating can carry over and help with hockey?

Allen: It's huge. Being able to get your stride, having a long powerful stride, it definitely helps. Because speed skaters, they work on their starts, they're really quick off the start and then once they get going, they can do a really efficient, long stride. So, that definitely helps with hockey. It's definitely a lot more efficient than a guy that has to take a lot more choppy strides compared to a couple smooth strides.

McKeen's: It's hard to have quick hands when you have to move your feet at a million miles per hour.

Allen: Yep, yep. It definitely helps with that. From my theory, it calms you down, like, your upper body, because you're not so all over the place with your hands and your upper body. So, you're definitely in a lot more control.

McKeen's: I've noticed watching you that you do have a very efficient stride, that you're not swinging the arms, and it all helps you get from point A to point B quickly and efficiently.

Allen: Yeah. It's definitely a little deceptive. Because, after I come out of a turn, I might not be moving my feet that quick when they're looking at me, but I can sometimes be coming pretty quick.

McKeen's: That right. You can really power out of your crossovers with maximum efficiency. It really becomes obvious when you're next to somebody. Now, earlier this year, you committed to Denver. With the college thing, when did colleges first start recruiting you, what were some of the other programs that were in the running, if I may ask, and what made you pick DU?

Allen: Oh, well, I've been getting recruited since, like, U-16. So, they called Team Illinois, all those programs in that league. I was recruited mainly by Wisconsin, BC (Boston College), Denver, Minnesota, and those are really the only top programs that I really had interest in. I mean, there were others, but those were the ones that I saw. I visited the coaches at DU and I loved the campus. I like the coaching staff, and obviously they've done great over the years…

McKeen's: They've done great this year.

Allen: Yep, yep. They know what they're doing there. It's a good school. That's another big thing. The education is really good there. It's the best of both worlds.

McKeen's: With that, what do you plan on majoring in, if you've decided, or leaning toward?

Allen: You know? Probably business, or sports medicine, or something like that. Some type of medicine or business track.

McKeen's: Business is definitely a versatile degree. I'm not certain what grade you're in, per se, high school-wise.

Allen: I'm a senior.

McKeen's: Alright. It looks like you're committed for 2011, is that right?

Allen: Yep. Right now (pauses), anything can happen, but I can develop more maturity-wise, in terms of size. I just need time to grow, and obviously you can always work on your game. There's no need to really rush.

McKeen's: Yeah. You never know who might get signed to an NHL contract, though.

Allen: Yeah, exactly.

McKeen's: It's like, "Hey, guess what? We now have this opening."

Allen: Yeah, that's exactly what could happen.

McKeen's: It's your draft year, and you're having a pretty solid year. To your knowledge, have NHL teams shown interest in you?

Allen: A couple e-mails, but nothing really formal or anything like that. I'm not too worried about that right now. I'm trying to concentrate on this year. The team comes first.

McKeen's: Not to distract you off the team too much, but players of your caliber often have, in your case, a family advisor. Do you have representation and, if I might ask, whom?

Allen: Yeah, I do. I don't necessarily know (pauses)…, I don't really know any of the details. I don't know if I really have a family advisor or not, but I do work with a guy in Wisconsin.

McKeen's: And that person is?

Allen: Dan Plante.

McKeen's: Oh, okay. I've come across a few USHLers that work with him (notably Brock Montpetit and Aaron Harstad, and former USHLer Joe Pavelski, all three from Wisconsin).

Allen: Yeah. I don't really know the details about it at all, but I kind of talk to him. He helped me through the process.

McKeen's: Does he keep in regular contact and, if so, what's he been saying lately?

Allen: Yeah. He was mainly in contact when I was having to deal with all the pressure with the colleges. So, he definitely helped me through that. Lately, "Just keep on working hard and good things will happen." That's basically about it right now. His main thing that he was helping me with was the college choices and stuff like that. So, right now, it's kind of (pauses)…

McKeen's: A little bit of a lull.

Allen: Yeah. Yes.

McKeen's: If I were a regional scout advising my director of amateur scouting, or a director of amateur scouting advising my GM on draft day, what are some reasons I should consider drafting Garrett Allen at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft?

Allen: Obviously, the game's becoming all about the skating and speed, now that they're calling all the hooking infractions and all of that on the players now. So, obviously, skating is a huge thing, and I believe that from my uncle, and all the people that he knows, they say skating is a huge thing. And, obviously, you've got be smart with the puck and you've got to be aware on the ice and have good anticipation and you've got to be able to play the game overall how it's supposed to be played, basically.

McKeen's: And you do fulfill all the above. Going back to the beginning, I've seen the video, but for print's sake, when did you first start playing and how did you get that start?

Allen: My dad got me into it. My brother played before me, and obviously I look up to my dad. I always loved watching it on TV, because it was fast and physical. I took to it and I stuck with it and have been working hard.

McKeen's: For what organizations did you skate for at the different age groups?

Allen: Well, I started off in just like the district, when you're little, for the Waukesha Warhawks. Then I moved to Wisconsin AAA, and then they got bought by the Admirals in the AHL.

McKeen's: So that's what happened.

Allen: Yep. So then they bought us, and we became the Admirals. Then, I went to Team Illinois and now I'm here.

McKeen's: How many years did you skate for Team Wisconsin and then how many years for TI?

Allen: I played there until I was about 16, and then when I was 17, that's when I started to get a lot of interest and I wanted to make it to the USHL and get a scholarship. So, I went to Team Illinois for the exposure, and that league is incredible. So, now I'm here.

McKeen's: So, one year with TI, then?

Allen: Yep.

McKeen's: You answered what was to be my next question (why he moved to TI), so we'll round it out with a good softball for you. Who were some of your favorite players growing up and why and who are some players today who you feel you're similar to or that you'd like to equate to?

Allen: Well, my favorite player is Marian Gaborik. He's always been my favorite player. I think it's because (pauses)… I don't want to say that we necessarily play similar, because he's a lot better than me. But, our style of play, we have kind of the same kind of frame and play kind of the same way.

McKeen's: Just hopefully with less hip injuries.

Allen: Yeah, yeah.