Andrews: Klimchuk at the NHL Scouting Combine
By Phil Andrews – PhilAndrews18.blogspot.ca
Regina Pat forward Morgan Klimchuk took part in the 2013 NHL Draft Combine in Toronto over the weekend. It was the latest and last chance for the 18 year old to show his stripes so to speak ahead of the draft. Not that he hasn’t proven himself already; a 76 point sophomore season with the Pats last year and then a gold medal at the U18 World Championships where he was second in team scoring in the tournament. Klimchuk enters the draft ranked 25th in North America by Central Scouting.
Klimchuk showed well in the physical testing placing 10th in the peak power output test. It is apparently one of the most gruelling tests. The so-called Wingate peak power output test is short and painful, measuring how explosive the athlete is — usually has someone trying to help yells at you to keep going. It’s a 30-second all-out sprint on a stationary bike with the resistance climbing until you hit a point where you can’t pedal any more. Klimchuk was 10th best among all attendees with a score of 14.2. Morgan also tied for 9th overall in the vertical jump test with a 27 inch vertical.
While the physical testing is important there is also another side to the combine, when the players meet with NHL teams. Klimchuk met with 25 of the 30 teams in the league over the weekend and he said overall it was a bit of a different weekend.
“It was a neat experience for sure. Going into it I didn’t really know what to expect per say but it was a busy stressful week. There was a lot of interviews, met with a lot of really important people. Overall I think it went pretty well but going into it I wasn’t sure what to expect but I’m happy that its done now.”
Klimchuk also said that the physical testing was something he was more ready for.
“I was jumping pretty well, my peak power was also one of the better ones there so that’s a pretty important part as well. You have to prepare for it, you got to make sure your in pretty good shape but a lot of those tests I’ve done before even with the Regina Pats. That wasn’t too new to me and I thought I did very well.”
Now it comes down to waiting for the 18 year old and he says that the nerves are starting to set in.
“I’ll have to fly out to Buffalo to meet with them and then ill meet with Toronto again before the draft. Now it’s just kind of sit and wait, there’s not a whole lot you can do to impact your stock so the nerves are starting to set in now.”
Klimchuk added that there isn’t a specific team he wants to be picked by but to play in Canada would be ideal.
“I’d love to play for any team there. I think it would be cool to play in Canada for a Canadian team but I just want to play in the NHL and whichever team drafts me ill be happy there.”
Klimchuk did say that being picked by his hometown Flames would be pretty cool.
“That would be awesome, they have a lot of picks in the first couple rounds so hopefully that would work out, but again I’m not too worried about it.”
The NHL Draft will take place on June the 30th from New Jersey.
For Phil Andrews’ full interview with Morgan Klimchuk visit PhilAndrews18.blogspot.ca.
