Thursday, November 27, 2014

Fleury Working To Rock It Like A Hurricane



[Here goes my latest attempt at blogging, based on some good interviews we've had on recent Rebels broadcasts]

Haydn Fleury hasn’t exactly been piling up the points this season with the Red Deer Rebels. But, that doesn’t mean his play isn’t trending in the right direction.


Last weekend, the Carolina Hurricanes, sent a familiar face to Red Deer to get a firsthand look at the progress of their first round draft pick.


Glen Wesley is the Director of Defencemen Development for the Hurricanes. The Red Deer native knows a thing or two about patrolling NHL blue lines, having done so for 1457 games joining Carolina’s hockey staff.




“He’s been very disciplined with his reads and his gaps have been good in the neutral zone,” Wesley told me during the first intermission of Saturday’s 4-0 Rebels win over the Calgary Hitmen. “He is able to close and take away time and space.”


Wesley praised Fleury’s great, seemingly effortless skating ability.


“It’s fun to watch him skate, in all reality, with just how effortless it is for him.”


When it comes to improving his game, Wesley says it is clear to him that Fleury is working hard on the areas of his game that need improving.


“He understands what it takes to be a pro. Day in and day out, it’s consistency that he’s got to bring to the Rebels lineup and be that example for those younger guys. He’s got a good head on our shoulders and I think he has a very bright future in our [Hurricanes] organization.”


As for Wesley himself, he is having fun in his current role with the club with whom he won a Stanley Cup as a player in 2006. Wesley keeps a close eye on 14 Hurricanes defence prospects playing in various leagues throughout North America.


“It’s good to get out and get a taste of what they are going through. Sometimes they are going through a struggling period or they are going on all cylinders. It’s good for me to catch up with all of them. It’s almost a sense of being a big brother.”


And, while last weekend’s trip home to Red Deer was for business, Wesley did find time to mix in some personal time.


“I get to see family in the morning and afternoon before going to work at night, so it’s good in that aspect.”

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