the_rookie
Member
Ryan Parent has always been a defenceman who has just gone about his business.
He has no flashy contracts and no endorsement deals.
Right now, Parent's playing with in Philadelphia where he is playing defence in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Philadelphia Phantoms, the direct affiliate team with the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers.
Like most players in the AHL, he'd rather be in the NHL with the big boys. But for now the six-foot-two, 201 pounder is not complaining.
In the meantime, he'll continue playing hockey and leave the decision to the coaches and the front office.
“(The AHL is) a stepping stone in a developmental league,†said Parent, 20. “I guess whenever they feel I'm ready or if there's any spots available, they'll call you up when you're ready.
“For me, the sooner the better. I obviously want to get in there and play right away. From a career point of view, it might be better to wait a bit.â€
Humbly, Parent was quick to point out that it's not a bad thing he's starting out with the Phantoms this season.
“Obviously, the coaches and GMs are making the moves that are best suited for my development,†said
“I don't have any choice in the matter. This is where I am. I'm not pouting about it at all. I'm just working hard.â€
Parent hopes his hard way will begin to pay off.
Rather than attracting attention with lots of goals and assists, Parent's stay-at-home defensive style will speak volume. Though it's still early in the season, Parent has yet to record a goal or an assist.
Of course, that's just typical Parent. Last season as the captain of the Guelph Storm in the Ontario Hockey League he recorded 10 points (three goals and seven assist) in 43 games.
The Phantoms have started the season off a good note by winning their first five games.
In Parent's first five games with the Phantoms his plus/minus is +2 and has more than 20 penalty minutes.
“We've had a great start so far,†said Parent.
The Flyers, meanwhile, are also doing well. In their first five games they're 4-1, which is much better considering last year when they finished 22-48-12.
Development is going to be a big thing for Parent. He'll be trying to do it as quick as possible in case he gets the call to the Flyers, either this season or next.
And when his time comes Parent is going to be a lot more comfortable.
“I don't think I'll be quite as nervous as the first game,†said Parent of his first debut on April 5, 2006.
Since being called to Philadelphia last spring when the Storm were eliminated from the play-offs, Parent has played 11 regular season games with the Phantoms.
That experienced helped him at the Flyers training camp this summer. Despite his slim chances of making the Flyers' roster, Parent still thinks it went well for him.
“There were quite a few D-man, so it was tough to make it right off the start, the Flyers anyway.â€
After the camp concluded and exhibition games got underway, Parent got the feeling his shot with the Flyers would have to wait.
Judging by the amount of defenceman and the ice time he received during exhibition games, he knew he was bound for the Phantoms.
“We you come into camp, just having that little extra and knowing what to expect, you just feel a little more comfortable,†he said.
Growing up as a boy playing hockey in Sioux Lookout, Parent always imagined himself playing for the Montreal Canadiens, not the Philadelphia Flyers.
But hockey is a business. Parent really has no say in where he ends up or how he'll be dealt. For now, he's just happy to be one step closer to achieving every childhood hockey dream of playing in the NHL one day.
One thing to be sure of is the longer Parent stays with either Phantoms or makes his step onto NHL ice again this season, his fan base in Sioux Lookout will increase over the years.
“It's pretty good, especially coming from small town. You really feel the support when you get back home…. I guess it's a pretty good feeling when you got your hometown behind you.â€
He has no flashy contracts and no endorsement deals.
Right now, Parent's playing with in Philadelphia where he is playing defence in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Philadelphia Phantoms, the direct affiliate team with the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers.
Like most players in the AHL, he'd rather be in the NHL with the big boys. But for now the six-foot-two, 201 pounder is not complaining.
In the meantime, he'll continue playing hockey and leave the decision to the coaches and the front office.
“(The AHL is) a stepping stone in a developmental league,†said Parent, 20. “I guess whenever they feel I'm ready or if there's any spots available, they'll call you up when you're ready.
“For me, the sooner the better. I obviously want to get in there and play right away. From a career point of view, it might be better to wait a bit.â€
Humbly, Parent was quick to point out that it's not a bad thing he's starting out with the Phantoms this season.
“Obviously, the coaches and GMs are making the moves that are best suited for my development,†said
“I don't have any choice in the matter. This is where I am. I'm not pouting about it at all. I'm just working hard.â€
Parent hopes his hard way will begin to pay off.
Rather than attracting attention with lots of goals and assists, Parent's stay-at-home defensive style will speak volume. Though it's still early in the season, Parent has yet to record a goal or an assist.
Of course, that's just typical Parent. Last season as the captain of the Guelph Storm in the Ontario Hockey League he recorded 10 points (three goals and seven assist) in 43 games.
The Phantoms have started the season off a good note by winning their first five games.
In Parent's first five games with the Phantoms his plus/minus is +2 and has more than 20 penalty minutes.
“We've had a great start so far,†said Parent.
The Flyers, meanwhile, are also doing well. In their first five games they're 4-1, which is much better considering last year when they finished 22-48-12.
Development is going to be a big thing for Parent. He'll be trying to do it as quick as possible in case he gets the call to the Flyers, either this season or next.
And when his time comes Parent is going to be a lot more comfortable.
“I don't think I'll be quite as nervous as the first game,†said Parent of his first debut on April 5, 2006.
Since being called to Philadelphia last spring when the Storm were eliminated from the play-offs, Parent has played 11 regular season games with the Phantoms.
That experienced helped him at the Flyers training camp this summer. Despite his slim chances of making the Flyers' roster, Parent still thinks it went well for him.
“There were quite a few D-man, so it was tough to make it right off the start, the Flyers anyway.â€
After the camp concluded and exhibition games got underway, Parent got the feeling his shot with the Flyers would have to wait.
Judging by the amount of defenceman and the ice time he received during exhibition games, he knew he was bound for the Phantoms.
“We you come into camp, just having that little extra and knowing what to expect, you just feel a little more comfortable,†he said.
Growing up as a boy playing hockey in Sioux Lookout, Parent always imagined himself playing for the Montreal Canadiens, not the Philadelphia Flyers.
But hockey is a business. Parent really has no say in where he ends up or how he'll be dealt. For now, he's just happy to be one step closer to achieving every childhood hockey dream of playing in the NHL one day.
One thing to be sure of is the longer Parent stays with either Phantoms or makes his step onto NHL ice again this season, his fan base in Sioux Lookout will increase over the years.
“It's pretty good, especially coming from small town. You really feel the support when you get back home…. I guess it's a pretty good feeling when you got your hometown behind you.â€
