It is not uncommon for a player coming from college or junior hockey entering the professional ranks to find his game better suited for the pro level. Whether it be physical maturity, structure of the game, style of hockey, or simply capitalizing on greater opportunity and staying healthy, some players find greater success in fulfilling their full potential once they turn pro.

After a combined 21 goals and 48 points in 117 games over four seasons at the University of Vermont, Connor Brickley, who was drafted by the Florida Panthers with the 50^th overall pick in 2010, compiled an impressive 22 goals and 47 points in 73 games in his first pro season with the Panthers’ American Hockey League affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage. 

“I’m definitely happy with how everything went this past year, and I couldn’t have that year without the coaching staff putting me in a position to have success,” said Brickley. “Coming out of school, the last four years didn’t put me on the map too much due to my injuries and not putting up the numbers people had hoped for. This season I definitely showed what kind of player I can be at the pro level.”

In college hockey, there are important commitments by student-athletes including attending classes, study hours, and other social activities.  Brickley describes thriving in the AHL environment which he states is ‘eat, sleep, and breathe hockey’. “Each day, whether it was during practices or workouts, you were getting prepared for every single game. As the games went on, I got more confident in myself and thought that I can play at a higher level on this team. As the games kept going and I kept producing, I just kind of rolled with it and didn’t dwell on anything. The harder you work at this level, the more success you are going to have.”

Brickley did have an eight game stint with the Rampage at the conclusion of his senior year of college in 2013-14. While chipping in a goal and an assist along with four penalty minutes during those eight games, Brickley credits his brief AHL stint towards helping him prepare for this past season and being better acclimated to the AHL.

“First off, when I came here at the end of last year, being able to see what the transition was like helped a lot”, explains Brickley. “Seeing the veteran guys and experiencing what the pro hockey lifestyle is all about, the daily approach to the game, coming into this season I knew a little more about how everything works. I just came to San Antonio with a daily approach to work hard and really establish myself to get into the lineup and keep moving forward.  The coaching staff and the players around me helped me substantially. It’s a great bunch of guys who help me get better everyday.”

Brickley hit the ground running last fall having established a level of familiarity with his new teammates during his eight-game stint, allowing him to have confidence in growing his game from day one. “Yeah, it definitely did. Seeing some faces that I recognized (from the end of last season) and from development camps, but actually being teammates definitely helped a lot. Familiarity always boosts confidence and the guys really helped in the locker room as well.”

Reflecting on his first full season in the AHL, Brickley not only improved his offensive output and confidence on the ice, he also learned the importance of preparation as well as the mental side of the game, including pre-and-post game routines. “Definitely the routine before the game, your warm-up and cool down afterwards were the biggest things (I learned). Your post-game routine, whether it’s a stretch or a cold tub and getting the proper nutrition in you after. That’s what helped me a lot this year.”

Brickley highlights the emphasis on proper nutrition at the AHL level. “In college, you don’t have the same access to nutrition information as we did in San Antonio. I really took advantage of those sorts of things to prepare myself after games to get ready for the following game.  Your post-game routine is just as important as pre-game.  Having that allows me to be the most prepared for every game.”

With back-to-back weekend games a regular occurrence in the AHL, having a thorough and consistent post-game routine is essential towards being both mentally and physically prepared for the following game, which could be the following afternoon – a mere hours after the final whistle the night earlier.

Brickley credits his veteran teammates as playing an integral role in his transition and adjustment to the AHL. “Being able to hang out with those guys, pick their brains and little things they talk to you about on or off the ice, how they conduct themselves and their approach to get ready for games, I think that really shaped me and I can’t really thank them enough. Some of the guys took me under their wing, and really helped me as the season went along.”

Approaching the upcoming season, as the Panthers’ affiliate relocates from San Antonio, Texas to Portland, Maine, the 23-year old is aware of the areas in his game he needs to improve to continue to develop and mature as a professional. “What I took from the most part of this year and in talking with the development staff is refining things in the defensive zone, my skating and my speed, just getting stronger and heavier on pucks. That’s what it’s really all about and that’s what I notice the most about being with San Antonio and playing in the American League, is how much the coaching staff actually helps with those specific things.  They see where you can improve and how they can help you with that. You can see, as the season progresses, changes in your game and actually how you are improving.”

In preparation for training camp in September, Brickley is training in Foxboro, Mass during the offseason with respected trainer Brian McDonough at EDGE Performance Systems, whose cliental includes Charlie Coyle of the Minnesota Wild, Harry Zolnierczyk of the Anaheim Ducks, Tampa Bay’s Brian Boyle, and Boston’s Jimmy Hayes.

“We have a great training group there. (Brian) and his staff are really pushing us.  We work out Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. We’re skating two-to-three times a week and we also have a league we play in on Wednesday nights here too. We definitely get on the ice a lot and the workouts are challenging.”

He is following a regimented schedule, in which he hopes will lead to better results as he physically matures as a pro.

“This year, I’m going to have the same mentality as last summer, that’s just to get bigger, stronger, and faster. Come into camp and perform. I’m going to work hard and gain the respect of my teammates around me. Wherever I land, I land, but hopefully I get a chance with the big club and show that I can play at that level.”

In his downtime, Brickley enjoys golf and fishing to keep his mind off the game.

“Yeah, I definitely like to get out and play golf.  Last summer was probably the most I’ve played in a long time, having spare time after workouts. Finding something to keep you busy is key. I definitely enjoy golf, fishing, and spending time with my friends and family in the offseason.”

The season can’t come soon enough for Brickley, who looks forward to the challenge of building on his successful rookie season with San Antonio.

“Having the same coaching staff as we move to Portland, just talking to them and knowing I played special teams’ roles this year, hopefully they’ll be leaning on me even more next year as a returning forward. Knowing that they count on you for different situations helps a lot. If you get put in those positions, you need to perform. Nothing’s really been given to me to this point in my career.  You need to keep that drive. I look forward to continuing to play in all situations and gaining greater responsibility with the team.”