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Eastern Graphic - October 25, 2006

 
Brandon Gormley takes giant step
towards dream of playing in the NHL - by Matt Veno
 

Brandon Gormley is growing up fast.

Physically, the 14 year old has gained 11 pounds of muscle since arriving in Wilcox, Saskatchewan, in late August to attend school and play hockey for the Athol Murray College of Notre Dame, a high performance athletic boarding school for students in Grades 8-12.

But he's growing even quicker in his maturity, especially on the ice.

So far in six games with the school's Bantam AAA Owens Hounds (through Sunday, October 22) he has 25 points (15 goals, 10 assists) in leading his team to a 6-0 record in which they've pulverized their opponents outscoring them 101-7.

Gormley's point total is second in the league. Not bad for a defenceman.

His maturity on and off the ice recently earned him the title of the team's captain, voted on by his teammates.
"A lot of the time guys will vote for a captain based on who's the best player," said the team's head coach Scott Owens. "He's one of the best but the kids really like him and they see his maturity level."

His ability on the ice is that of someone much older, jumping up into offensive plays, while being the first to get back on defense once the play shifts.

"He can see the ice, read the ice, make the right pass and make it quick," Owens said.

Off the ice his maturity also shines through in the way he views his performance so far this season.

"I've been playing great so far," Gormley said. "I just hope I can keep it going and help the team win all our games. It's been a surprise and it's great, but I'm just trying to do my best on and off the ice and improve my play."

His hot start has garnered him a lot of attention. The Scouting News recently ranked him the ninth best player in North America born in 1992 and International Scouting Services published an article about him in their October issue.

But showing his maturity, Gormley isn't dwelling on the hype.

"I don't really think about that too much," he said. "You can't get caught up in the attention you're getting.
You just have keep playing and go out there and do your best."

That's the way he's always been say his parents, Darren and Sharon, who live in Murray River.

"He is very modest," Darren said. "He could score 10 goals in a game and if you asked him how the game went he'd just say ‘good’ and wouldn't say anything about scoring 10 goals. He just plays and he enjoys it."
Owens agrees.

"He's confident and he knows what he can do," Owens said. "But he's not cocky about it."

Over the summer, after he and his family fielded calls from several schools across Canada and the United States wanting Gormley to play for them, it was Gormley who made the decision to attend Notre Dame, a school which has produced such talents as Vincent Lecavalier, Rod Brind'Amour, Curtis Joseph and Wendel Clark. It was also where Murray Harbour natives Brad Richards, Danny Stewart and Thatcher Bell received an education and honed their skills before they were drafted by QMJHL clubs. Such names form an attractive resume for someone whose goal is to get to the NHL.

"I decided to come here because everyone I know that came out of here went on to do something good," Gormley said. "This school always benefited them. I left my friends and family at home, but I'm chasing my dream and I felt I had to come here. I've been getting a lot of support from back home which is great."

His parents feel the decision, as hard as it was for their son to make, shows the level of Gormley's maturity and so far it's been a decision he doesn't regret. The team is on the ice and in the gym every day, and the trainers and coaching staff are there every step of the way, pushing the players, something he is relishing.
"I feel I've really improved since I got here," Gormley said. "Being on the ice every day gets you in good shape and builds up a lot of leg strength. I feel I've gotten a lot stronger."

His maturity is one of the main reasons why Owens said Gormley is a coach's dream.

"When I look around at practice he is absolutely focused," Owens said. "He's just like a sponge because he tries to soak up everything you're telling him because he's trying to find any edge he can get."

  
 
..................................................................................................................................

ISS “Future Watch” Brandon Gormley
FUTURE NHL STARS VOL. 5 ISSUE 1 OCT.15 , 2006

By Ryan Van Horne

Don't tell Brad Richards of the Tampa Bay Lightning - or Brandon Gormley of the Notre Dame AAA
Bantam Owens - that a kid from tiny Murray River , Prince Edward Island can't make it to the NHL.
Richards, the 2004 Conn Smythe Trophy winner and the highest paid player in the NHL, is from
Murray Harbour, just down the road from Murray River, the hometown of Gormley.

If you haven't heard of Gormley,don't worry, he is just 14 and has a lot of hockey and hard work
ahead of him before he reaches the NHL, but he certainly appears to have the talent.

At the Atlantic Challenge Cup in Dieppe, N.B. from Oct. 7-9,Gormley stood out as one of the
best defencemen in the under-17 group, despite playing as a double underager.

"He has pro upside," said ISS Scouting Director Dennis MacInnis. "He has excellent size,
mobility and puck skills with outstanding poise and the ability to make plays in each zone. He is
very skilled and handles the puck with confidence. He's solid on his skates and is a heady player who
makes good decisions and is very  mature with and without puck."

Said ISS Head scout Chris Mooring: "Gormley is the best defence prospect in the Maritimes
since Luc Bourdon."
Like Richards did, Gormley left home this year to attend Notre Dame College in Wilcox , Sask.
The similarities don't end there. Gormley's dad, Darren, is a lobster fisherman who sails from
the same wharf as Richards's dad. The two families are close as Richards's younger sister also
babysat Brandon and Gormley would often go to the Richards household.
"I played some ground hockey with him," said Gormley. "He had just started playing for Rimouski
at that time."
Richards serves as a beacon of hope for Gormley.
"Winning the Stanley Cup, and what he did in his junior career,winning a Memorial Cup, he's a
really great role model for me, especially since he came from the same small community as me."
It was also on the these visits that Gormley spoke to Richards's parents about Brad's experience
at Notre Dame.
"The hockey is supposed to be great out here and we're out in the gym every day," said
Gormley, a six-foot, 165 pound defenceman. "It's a lot better than at home, and we're on the ice
every day here, which is great."

Gormley's coach at Notre Dame, Shawn Owens, is used to welcoming players who were outstanding talents in their
hometown, but sometimes struggle to adjust when they arrive at the Prairie boarding school. Not Gormley.
"He's standing out as one of the guys that has a great deal of potential," Owens said.
"He's playing with a lot of confidence and he's lugging the puck a lot. He's not selfish, he's
moving it around, and he's able to jump into the attack and get back. When he gets in deep, his
skating ability allows him to getback."

The 14-year-old blueliner appears to have mastered the biggest ingredient needed for success – a
solid work ethic.
"He's a hard worker," Owens said. "He's a typical blue-collar kid. He reminds me of a Saskatchewan
farm boy, he's not afraid to work hard and he's accountable for what he does."

As hard as Gormley works on the ice, he works even harder off it. Gormley boasts a heavy shot and
has used it to score a few from the point and by jumping into the play. He's one of his team's top
scorers yet his defensive play has not suffered.

Owens, who coached Chris Doyle of the QMJHL's Prince Edward Island Rocket at Notre Dame, said
Gormley's shot is almost as hard as Doyle's was, though Gormley is a year younger than Doyle was
when Owens coached him.
Owens predicts Gormley's frame will allow him to become a powerful person as he gains some
muscle mass.
Gormley hasn't decided whether he would like to play U.S. college or major junior.
"I haven't really thought that far ahead. I guess that's one of the next big decisions for me," said
Gormley, who was recently named to represent his province at the Canada Games next February.
Whatever the 14-year-old blueliner decides, Owens is sure he'll have success.

"He's a bright kid who wants to work hard and do well. In practice, he's absolutely focused
on what I'm saying."