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McCollum all smiles with Red Wings
By Sarah Lindenau — RedWingsCentral.com / September 14, 2008Thomas McCollum has been all smiles since arriving in Traverse City, Mich.
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound goalie is thrilled to be with the Red Wings after being selected with the 30th overall pick in June's NHL draft.
"I was extremely excited when the Red Wings called my name," McCollum said. "I was kind of nervous the whole night wondering if I was going to go in the first round. To wait that long and then go to the best team in the NHL is just a huge thrill."
McCollum, who had the added pressure of being tailed by the NHL Network on draft day, wasn't completely surprised the Red Wings picked him.
"Detroit sort of hinted they were interested at the interview at the combine, but I wasn't exactly sure," he said. "I am not going to lie, I checked before the draft so I knew that their goaltending wasn't the deepest. I thought maybe it's a possibility."
McCollum has been smiling ever since, although on Sunday, he gave his teammates brass a reason to smile, too, backstopping the Red Wings to a 5-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning at the annual prospects tournament in Traverse City, Mich. He stopped 25 of 27 shots and looked good doing it.
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| Thomas McCollum stopped 25 of 27 shots in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. (Photo: Sarah Lindenau/Red Wings Central). |
"I think it went pretty well," he said. "But getting the win was my main concern."
The Sanborn, N.Y., native also played a key role in Saturday's victory over the New York Rangers, replacing Daniel Larsson, who was suffering from cramps and dehydration. McCollum showed great focus and determination coming off the bench cold to help preserve the shutout, turning aside 15 shots.
"It was kind of a big shock," McCollum said of replacing Larsson. "Usually you can tell you are coming in by the score of the game or you have a few minutes while the trainers are looking at (the starter), but not this time. It was a good experience to show how focused I can be."
McCollum will return to the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League after training camp for at least one more year. The soon-to-be 19-year-old is eligible to play in the American Hockey League as early as next season.
"I have had two great years (in Guelph) heading into a third," McCollum said. "I am really looking forward to moving up to a higher level and advancing my game and taking it to the next step."
If McCollum signs next season, he'll likely face stiff competition from either Jimmy Howard and Larsson for playing time in the AHL.
"I am just trying to do the best I can and I can't really control what the other guys do," he said. "This year I have to go back to Guelph and I want to have a strong season there.
"Hopefully I will make the (U.S.) world junior team and do well there. Then next year I want to make Grand Rapids, but I am just trying to take it one day at a time."
— Stephen Johnston had an outstanding outing on Sunday, picking up his second goal in as many games on a shorthanded effort. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound center played a strong physical game, especially in the second and third periods.
"I thought I played well," he said. "I wanted to throw my weight around, but I didn't want to get caught out of position. I just took advantage of opportunities."
Johnston was paired with free agents Francis Pare and Cody Thornton for much of the game. The trio, along with the fourth line of Jordan Foreman, Randy Cameron, and Bryce Swan were solid energy lines for the Red Wings.
"It's really a lot of fun to play along side Pare," Johnston said. "He's a great playmaker with great vision. It makes it easier when you have guys like that and they make you look better too."
After drafting Johnston 181st overall, the Red Wings are hoping the 18-year-old forward turns out to be a late bloomer. His strong play in the prospect tournament is a step in the right direction.
"The Red Wings were my favorite team growing up," Johnston said. "I just have to get stronger and faster to prove to them they made the right decision."
Johnston is flattered by the comparisons to his Bellville teammate and former Wings prospect Shawn Matthias, but wants to make his own mark.
"He's such a great player and a real talent," Johnston said. "To be compared to a player like that you know you are doing something right, but I just want to be the player I know I can be."
— Cameron, a mid-round pick who plays for the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's Moncton Wildcats, played his best game yet scoring a goal and generating offense. The 5-foot-11, 187-pound forward is in a contract year with the Red Wings.
— The trio of Zack Torquato, Dick Axelsson and Cory Emmerton had another strong showing but wasn't able to find its way on the scoresheet. Torquato is working hard, trying to show the Red Wings he has improved his skating, and is adjusting to playing right wing for the first time in his career.
"I worked on my acceleration this summer," he said. "The (Red Wings) might be worried about my speed and if I can keep up so I am just going to continue to work on that."
In addition to improved skating, the 6-foot, 195-pound forward needs to have a break out year with the OHL's Erie Otters to secure a contract.
"Hopefully I can get a contract by June 1st," Torquato said. "I'd love to be a Red Wing."
— Brent Raedeke and Joey Ryan were healthy scratches on Sunday.
— Justin Abdelkader's hard work was finally rewarded with a goal on Sunday.
— Swedish forward Mattias Ritola took a nasty high stick to the face in the second period but didn't miss a shift.
— Larsson is slated to play the full game on Tuesday against the Atlanta Thrashers, while McCollum will play Wednesday's placement game.
— The Red Wings are excited to be first in the Eastern Conference after two games, but they aren't looking past Atlanta for the time being.
"We are more focused on beating Atlanta," McCollum said. "We know if we stick to our systems we can outplay any team here."
— The Red Wings have canceled their option practice on Monday giving the team a chance to rest before the tournament resumes on Tuesday.
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