Canucks.com
Oct 14, 2001
By Tracy Pellizzari

First, take a group of talented, young hopefuls. Put them together in one place, and tell them they�ll be competing amongst each other for the ultimate prize: realizing their lifelong dream; travelling the world as part of a touring ensemble; and being recognized publicly for their talents. No, this isn�t another episode of the hit TV show, �Making the Band.� This is training camp: making the team.

Bryan Allen knows what it�s like to fight for a spot on an NHL team, as 2002 marks his fourth training camp with the Vancouver Canucks. Although injuries have managed to follow him along the way, they haven�t kept him down. �Injuries are something I definitely learned about early on,� he says, �but you have to try to look ahead. You have to stay focused on getting better.� In terms of keeping himself motivated, Bryan tries to continually set challenges for himself. He hasn�t let his injuries cloud his spirits- he�s only looking to the future.

He�s been pursuing a career in professional hockey all of his life- maybe even before he was born. �My parents really wanted a boy, and I was the third child and the only boy in the household. Hockey was also number one in my house.� As Bryan grew older, he too found that soft spot in his heart for the sport of hockey. �Even though it was something my parents always wanted me to do, they never pressured me into it. It was something I always enjoyed myself.� His parents supported him in every way imaginable. �I have two sisters, also in competitive sports. One was in gymnastics, the other in trampoline. Money-wise, with three kids, it was a lot for them to take on. But they made it possible.�

His family is still very supportive of their son, even from a distance. They still live in the family�s hometown of Kingston, Ontario. When it comes to being away from his family, he says that, �It�s tough, but I�ve dealt with it. I moved away at 16, and even though it was only two hours away it was still difficult. But you get used to it. We talk on the phone a couple of times a week, and if my games are on TV or on the radio, my parents follow them.�

Aside from keeping in touch with family and friends in his spare time, Bryan also likes to use the computer and read books. Right now he�s reading �Deadly Decisions,� by Kathy Reichs. �I like James Patterson books too. Those are the last couple of books I�ve read,� he says.

But hockey remains first on his mind. He offers some advice for young hockey players who share the same NHL dream. �Try to have fun with it. That�s the main thing I�ve tried to do. Go out and enjoy it, but also work hard, and learn and try new things.� In terms of the qualities a player should try to possess, Bryan says that, �dedication is a big one. Commitment to yourself and your teammates during games and practices is really important.�

And so is commitment to your dreams.



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