The Kingston Whig-Standard
June 20, 1998
By Doug Graham

The National Hockey League courtship has been in full flight for Bryan Allen.

In the space of five days this week, the 17-year-old Allen flew out to Anaheim to talk with Mighty Duck officials, had the expansion Nashville Predators visit him and his parents, Nigel and Sharon, at their Glenburnie home and is now gone to New York to meet with the Rangers' brass.

Such is the life of a highly touted first-round NHL prospect.

Allen, a defenceman with the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League for the past two seasons, is expected to get an early call at Saturday's Entry Draft proceedings in Buffalo.

A first-round draft pick by the Generals in 1996, Allen is trying to maintain a level-headed approach to just what might happen in Buffalo.

"You can't be too worried about whether you go third or at the end of the first round,'' Allen said.

"It's just pure excitement. I'm just going to go [to Buffalo] and let it happen. It doesn't matter to me [what team picks him], as long as I get the opportunity.''

It's obvious that several NHL teams are interested in the six-foot-five, 211-pound defenceman who is rated, along with Regina's Brad Stuart, one of the two best blueliners available in the draft.

Forwards Vincent Lecavalier of the Rimouski Oceanic and David Legwand of the Plymouth Whalers are expected to be the top two selections by Tampa Bay and San Jose. After that, Nashville, Vancouver and Anaheim select and all three teams have showed an interest in Allen.

"For sure, you know it's the [NHL], especially the way they wine and dine you. They're very good at doing that,'' Allen said.

The Rangers, in fact, appear interested enough in Allen to consider doing some draft-day manoeuvring to have a better chance at drafting him. New York is in the seventh selection position.

"My agent [Larry Kelly of Ottawa] said they want me to go to New York because [the Rangers] are possibly going to trade up to get me. That's a good sign,'' Allen said.

Regarded as a punishing hitter who played extremely well in his rookie season, he showed great poise in the Memorial Cup in 1997.

Although his sophomore season with a rebuilding Oshawa team wasn't as good, there were some extenuating circumstances.

Allen missed 18 games through a combination of mononucleosis, a suspension and a knee injury that kept him out until the middle of the seven-game first-round playoff series against the Kingston Frontenacs. Allen's inspired play when he did get back into the Generals' lineup almost enabled Oshawa to upset Kingston.

"It was a tough year. Every time I'd get in a groove, something would come along to set me back,'' Allen said.

"But I just looked at it as something that would build character. Now if it happens again, I know how to deal with it.''

BACK HOME

Allen has been back home in Kingston since April, attending La Salle Secondary School and working under personal trainer Bob Tysen. The NHL teams are interested in that type of commitment by players.

"I've worked hard with Bob and he's done a tremendous job. He's had me for a couple more months than last year,'' said Allen, who is expecting the Tysen workouts to become even more valuable following the draft.

"I won't be surprised that [if] right after the draft, the team will have me working with their strength coach to see where I am.''

BRYAN ALLEN FILE

BORN: Aug. 21, 1980

HOMETOWN: Glenburnie

SIZE: 6' 5'', 211 pounds

POSITION: Defence, shoots left

1997-98 SEASON: Played 48 games with the Oshawa Generals. Scored six goals, had 19 points, was a plus 11 and had 126 penalty minutes.

NHL RATING: The NHL Central Scouting Bureau has Allen ranked third overall

SCOUT'S EYE: "Allen is tough, mean and while he's never going to be an offensive star, his offence is going to come.''



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