The Kingston Whig-Standard
January 29, 1998
By Terry Koshan

As then-Oshawa Generals assis tant coach John Goodwin watched rookie Bryan Allen on the first day of the Generals training camp in 1996, he had an idea that Allen, of Glenburnie, would develop into a top-notch defenceman with unlimited potential.

It turns out Goodwin, now the head coach of the Generals, was bang on.

A year and a half later, Allen, 17, is ranked fifth by NHL Central Scouting for the entry draft in June. Among defencemen, he is second, behind only fourth-ranked Mathieu Biron of the Quebec League's Shawinigan Cataractes.

"He has just been poised from day one,'' said Goodwin, whose Generals play the St. Michael's Majors in Toronto tonight."From the first day of training camp [in 1996], you could just tell.''

At six foot five and 208 pounds - and still growing - the hulking Allen has already played through his share of adversity. He missed 11 games earlier this season after a suspension for a stick-swinging incident in the exhibition season, and a bout with mononucleosis knocked him out of the Generals' lineup.

And although his point totals aren't prolific - he has three goals and 12 assists in 36 games - it's Allen's size and agility that have scouts excited.

"He's a big defenceman who has great reach and is pretty mobile, too,'' said an NHL scout. ``You don't see that in a lot of guys his size.''

Allen's star rose quickly last season after he starred for the Generals in their run to the OHL championship and then in the Memorial Cup. Goodwin said Allen was among his top three defencemen during the two championships. Not only did his play in the Memorial Cup provide a big confidence boost, Allen said, but it also helped prepare him for the spotlight that has followed him around in 1997-98.

The Memorial Cup really gave me the experience to handle the pressure this season,'' Allen said. ``It was amazing. There was more pressure there than [what I've felt] this season.''

Much of the pressure Allen feels comes from within. He said he was a bit surprised he was rated so high after missing a chunk of the season, but he wants to improve on the fifth spot.

"I'm happy to be there, but I'm not content. I have to keep striving to be higher. Ever since I was drafted into the OHL, I've looked ahead and hoped for [getting selected in the NHL draft]."



BACK