The key to success for teams in the American Hockey League is to have a veteran presence on a roster of players in their young 20′s who have more or less moved away from home for the first time.

Players need a peer that they can talk to in the locker room, someone they can relate to.  It’s easier to talk to and listen to a peer than to a coach who knows the game but may not know what you’re going through.

The lack of a veteran presence is something that has been missing from the Amerks roster in recent years and it has showed in the league standings.

I asked goaltender Tyler Plante what’s different this year and he said, “You can already feel a vet presence in the room, its a welcome change.   It’s a little more serious of an attitude already and you can feel it.”

Tyler Plante working out at the Panthers 2009 Development Camp at the Teen Ranch

Tyler Plante spent his summer in his home town of Brandon, Manitoba working on continuing to be a better athlete.  He did not need to lose weight like others, he did [...]Read More