Jan 25, 2007: Ryan O'Reilly and Chris Brown - 91 Birth College Prospects!

This is the fourth of our series of interviews with top college prospects from Canada and the USA. As well, we will also be featuring college hockey program.

Chris Brown 1991 Birth USA - USHL and NCAA Top Prospect

If you could build your own hockey player, what qualities would you want in that player? Would you want a power forward, would he have skill, is scoring important, what about play making or grinding it out in the corners? Sounds like a complete hockey player to say the least. Don't worry about trying to build one, just go out and recruit Chris Brown, and you will have found what you are looking for!

This Texas native, who plays for Detroit Honeybaked, is set to join the Development Program, far from his home in Texas, but close to a home he hopes one day will be his, that being Yost Arena, the home of the Michigan Wolverines.

For the past 2 seasons, Chris played in Texas with the Alliance Bulldogs, playing bantam hockey. As for highlights of those seasons, easily it was making it to the national tournament. Then came Detroit Honeybaked, coached by USHL scout Rob Krohl, who has been an important part of his development and his introduction to Michigan hockey. Coach Krohl "has fine tuned me this year working on position and consistency, and I would not have the successes I have had with out him. He has a true passion for the sport of hockey and he is one of the best if not the best coach I have ever had". Notwithstanding, Chris credits coach Pat Peake and said, "playing in the NHL, Coach Peake brings the knowledge of every part of the game, from scoring to consistency to work ethic".

When he looks back on his days with the bulldogs, he credits coach Greg Vanover of helping him become the player he is today. When asked about coach Greg, Chris stated, "He is a Michigan native, and helped me become a hockey player, a leader, I was captain on his team, he let me be a kid, and taught me new stuff". Does he miss Dallas, most definitely. "Dallas is where I am from, I miss the atmosphere there, knowing everyone at the rink". What does he think about the challenge of playing with Honeybaked? " It was a great opportunity to move here to play for Honeybaked, a recognized organization. There is great competition every week, doesn't matter who it is, the MWEHL is the best league, we play against great players, top players in the country. As well, USA hockey is right in the backyard, and so is Michigan University".

College hockey is something that Chris most definitely wants to do, and it as been his dream to play with the University of Michigan. "I want to wear that awesome jersey!. College hockey is what I want most of all because of the education, for me education is a priority before hockey. Michigan is a top ranked school in the nation, and I want to major in business and Michigan has a top program in business. I go to Michigan games whenever I can, and the atmosphere is great, packed every night, its not to terribly big, no matter if the worst or best team is playing it is always packed, fans cheering, it gets you going, I love that there is not a bad seat in the house!". He most definitely knows what he wants, a very impressive young man to speak with.

When asked about his team this year, Chris stated that his team has bonded exceptionally well. "Since training camp, we clicked, it took 2 days, everyone knew everyone else's name, there were good relationships, all the players are great kids, play the game for the game, for each other". As for opponents, he says Detroit Caesars have given his team problems this year. "We have yet to beat Caesars. We just need to play tough, play physical against all teams".

When asked about a few of his strengths, Chris was quick to credit Jouni Lethoia, a Finland native, for helping him develop into a great skater, with good skating habits. "I think I have a good hard shot as well, I can get it away fast".

Chris Brown has what it takes, no doubt about it. It is not often a player this young knows what he wants, but Chris certainly does. A bright future is a head of him, and for his Honeybaked team!

Ryan O'Reilly 1991 Birth Canada - USHL and NCAA Top Prospect

He is a big, strong, aggressive hockey player, who is getting lots of attention in Ontario Canada, and if Major Junior hockey has their way, he will be a definite first round draft choice. That said, although colleges are not publicly allowed to talk to Ryan at this point in time, there is no doubt that he is a definite first round recruit in the eyes of the Division 1 college coaches across the NCAA. Ryan O'Reilly is making the best of his Minor Midget year with the Toronto Jr. Canadiens.

As an under age last season, this second year Minor Midget performed as one of the best 91's playing amongst 90 birth year hockey players with the Huron Perth Laker organization. He turned so many heads that the Toronto Jr. Canadien's came a calling. "I played summer hockey with the Canada Moose summer team, and that's how I got hooked up with the Toronto Jr. Canadiens". Asked if it has been challenging, Ryan said, "I have lots of family around and that makes it easy".

The season for the Jr. Canadiens is going well according to Ryan. "We are in a fight for 4th place, and we need to work hard to get it". Ryan is most definitely a "go to" forward on this team, and the attention he receives from people in the building may at times feel a bit intimidating to the average player, but not to him. "The attention from scouts has not affected me, I enjoy the pressure, and it doesn't really affect our team, maybe at times some get caught up in the draft, but in general everyone forgets about it, we are here to win"!

Ryan has a brother Cal who is playing pro hockey with the Milwaukee Admirals, and when asked about if he gets compared to his older brother, Ryan stated, "A little, I'm bigger and play more physical". And that he does. He is definitely a presence on the ice, very hard to miss, a player you fall in love with when watching him play.

Ryan has many strengths that make him stand out amongst the rest of the pack, he works incredibly hard, has good vision, and in his words, is "not afraid to put in the time, work hard - I don't like to lose"!

Ryan also has not decided where he will be playing hockey over the next few years, but says he is 50-50 on Major Junior hockey vs NCAA hockey. "I know a little bit about college hockey, I am not sure what I want to do, right now I am just trying to win and win the league. I have been to a few games, Niagara for one, I think it is a great pace (college hockey)". He is focused this season on what is important, that is making his team win hockey games, a true team player to say the least.

When asked who people compare him to in the NHL, the name mentioned to him often is Joe Thornton, pretty good company. With his frame and ability to control a game, and if he maintains his aggressive nature, passion, and work ethic, look for massive things from this fine young hockey player!