Toronto Star
March 17, 1998

A bout with infectious mononucleosis and a sprained knee haven't slowed Bryan Allen's quest to make it to the NHL.

Despite missing 18 of 66 regular-season games, the 17-year-old Oshawa Generals defenceman from Glenburnie, Ont., is ranked fifth over-all in North America by Central Scouting.

"You can't get too down on yourself,'' said Allen, who has six goals and 13 assists in his 48 starts. "It was tough when I first came back from the mono last fall. I didn't play that well before Christmas.''

The serious, self-motivated and determined defenceman first tasted success last year with the Generals after a dismal minor hockey career.

"I was always on a bad team in minor hockey and never won anything,'' said the 6-foot-4, 205-pound Allen. "I hate to lose. My dad helped me through that."

"`When I have pressure, I play better. I really like it when it's near the end of the game and it's close. I try to make sure no one scores on us.''

He played well under pressure in last year's Memorial Cup final, and then for the national under-18s when they won the Three Nations Cup. Oshawa coach John Goodwin likes Allen's attitude.

"He's like a real professional,'' said Goodwin. "He plays with a lot of intensity every shift and is one of our leaders.''

Scouts like the way he plays.

"He's a very steady, stay-at-home defenceman who skates pretty well,'' one scout said.

The Generals, the defending champions, meet the Kingston Frontenacs tonight in the second game of a best-of-seven playoff. Oshawa lost the opener 3-2.



BACK