QA with Ryan O’Marra

Erie Otter draft-eligible prospect Ryan O'Marra discusses a variety of subjects including his experiences at the Top Prospects Game, his thoughts on the draft, the NHL lockout, and his own play this season. McKeen's Hockey correspondent caught up with the star center after a 5-2 loss to Toronto on January 30th.

McKeen's Hockey: Good game today.

Ryan O'Marra: Thank you. Unfortunately we didn't play that well.

McKeen's Hockey: That was a nice goal you scored at the end of the game.

O'Marra: Yeah, I had all day. I got a nice pass from my winger Brett (McLean) and was just able to put it home.

McKeen's Hockey: How important are these games down the stretch?

O'Marra: Well you've got to prove that you can play in the second-half because the second-half is the toughest hockey. That's when the real players come to play.

McKeen's Hockey: You just played in the Top Prospects Game, how was that?

O'Marra: That was a lot of fun. It was an unbelievable experience and one I'll cherish for a while. It was a great atmosphere and great guys and I got to see where I stand with the draft status.

McKeen's Hockey: So where do you think you sort of stand?

O'Marra: Well, you know, you see what you've got to work on. You see a guy like Gilbert Brule who's sort of all over the place, very feisty and gets a lot of shots on net. And that's something I have to work on, getting more shots on net and utilizing my size a little bit more.

McKeen's Hockey: How do you think you played in the game overall?

O'Marra: I thought I had a better skills competition and three-on-three. I won the accuracy shooting in the skills competition and had a goal in three-on-three. Unfortunately, during the game I just couldn't get anything going. I didn't have much chemistry with my linemates. I was hitting but I really didn't finish on my chances.

McKeen's Hockey: What have you been able to take back from that game?

O'Marra: Definitely you've got to come prepared for every game and you have to be focused for every game regardless of whether it's an All-Star game or a league game and maybe I should have been a little more mentally prepared for that game.

McKeen's Hockey: Right now you're ranked 17th on Central Scouting's mid-term rankings (for the upcoming NHL Entry Draft), how does it feel to be ranked that high?

O'Marra: It's definitely an honour. It's a lifelong dream to be ranked that high for the draft. I've been watching the draft since I can remember and it's just a great feeling.

McKeen's Hockey: So do you keep track of where you're ranked?

O'Marra: Oh, yeah. People let you know and you're always looking for it. It's in the back of your mind at all times but when the game starts you have to put everything out of your mind and just focus on helping the team win.

McKeen's Hockey: How did you find out you were ranked 17th?

O'Marra: I'm pretty sure my agent told me; then our media guy told me the next day. I think they posted it on our website as well so I knew pretty quickly.

McKeen's Hockey: Has there been extra pressure on you this year since it's your draft year and the scouts are watching you?

O'Marra: Definitely there's added pressure but, you know, good players have to rise to the occasion and hopefully I can do that.

McKeen's Hockey: There have been rumours that the current NHL lockout might cancel the draft entirely, what are your thoughts on possibly playing your draft year twice?

O'Marra: I think it would be a tough thing to do, but you have to perform at all times. You have to prove at every year that you can continually improve and continually be consistent. It's probably going to weed out some of the players from the first round.

McKeen's Hockey: Do you like the pressure of being one of the top scorers on your team?

O'Marra: Yeah definitely. It's a role I've always wanted to play in the OHL. I've been watching the OHL since I was about 10-years-old and it's definitely a position I like to be in and hopefully I can thrive in.

McKeen's Hockey: How do you think you've done in that role so far this season?

O'Marra: So far I'm the second-leading scorer on the team. I definitely can get more pucks on the net. I'm happy with my assists but I definitely think I can score more often.

McKeen's Hockey: What do you need to do to score more often?

O'Marra: Definitely have to drive the net. I have to use my size a lot more to get around the defenseman, and put more shots on net; I'm passing up too many opportunities.

McKeen's Hockey: What can you say about your teammate Michael Blunden?

O'Marra: He's a great guy. He's one of my best friends on the team and we get along great. He's a great player, he's a big guy and he bangs. Our games really complement each other; we're always looking for each other on the ice. In the last couple of games we've really been clicking.

McKeen's Hockey: Would you say you've got a certain chemistry with him?

O'Marra: Oh, definitely I have a great chemistry with Mike and I love playing with him.

McKeen's Hockey: Has there been anyone who's helped your game along the way in the OHL?

O'Marra: Oh definitely. You've got the coaches who teach me the defensive end of the game, which is something you don't learn too much in minor hockey. Sherwood Bassin gave me the opportunity to play in this league and there have been various hockey instructors who I've played with like Dan Cameron. Those guys helped me with my skating and my stickhandling and I'm forever in debt to them for helping me develop my skills.

McKeen's Hockey: Now, in your second season, what kind of expectations have your coaches put on you?

O'Marra: They definitely wanted me to be a key go-to guy and that's something I wanted to be. It's something that was my goal when I was drafted here and I've definitely accepted that position.

McKeen's Hockey: What exactly have they asked you to do?

O'Marra: Definitely want me to be a guy who can score in the clutch but who can also be responsible in his own end. I have to be a two-way centreman and I have to be an asset to the team at all times.

McKeen's Hockey: Do you think you've done that this year?

O'Marra: I think I've done a pretty good job. I can definitely work on my defensive end, I mean, everyone can and that's something I'll be continually working on during my OHL career.

McKeen's Hockey: You played on the gold medal winning Under-18 Summer team, how do you think you played there?

O'Marra: I thought I played great. I thought the whole team played great. We had great chemistry and a great group of guys. It was just a lot of fun and probably the most memorable moment of my hockey career was winning that gold medal.

McKeen's Hockey: What have you been able to bring back from that tournament?

O'Marra: You get the international hockey experience and you get that taste of winning gold. And you want to play for that Under-20 team at Christmas and that's something that I've been striving for.

McKeen's Hockey: A lot of players that play for the summer team move on to the Under-20 team, is that one of your main goals?

O'Marra: Definitely. It's definitely been one of my main goals since I can remember. I've been watching that tournament since God knows when. It's great, it's on every Christmas and it's been a lifelong dream.

McKeen's Hockey: How do playing in tournaments like the summer team compare to playing in the OHL?

O'Marra: Well, you know, it's a different atmosphere. You're playing against countries; you're not playing against league teams. You're playing with the best of the best in your age group and it's pressure-packed but it's a lot of fun.

McKeen's Hockey: Last year you were one of the co-winners for Otters' most sportsmanlike player yet you still play a pretty physical game. Do you think that the award is a fair representation of how you play the game?

O'Marra: Well you know I like to play in your face but I'm not going take stupid penalties. Last year I wasn't as physical as I am this year and it's something that I've worked on. It's a pretty fair representation of the way I played last year.

McKeen's Hockey: What are your strengths as a player?

O'Marra: I'd say my shot, being physical and being a two-way player.

McKeen's Hockey: And your weaknesses?

O'Marra: Faceoffs, and I can always work on my skating.

McKeen's Hockey: What would it be like for you to be drafted by an NHL team?

O'Marra: That would be an unbelievable experience and one I'm hoping to experience.

McKeen's Hockey: What do you think you could bring to the table for an NHL team?

O'Marra: I can definitely be a power centreman and be good down-low as well as in my own end.