McGillis wants fresh start after tough rookie season

BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW

Corey McGillis has a lot to prove.

But he's not going to make any excuses as he will try to right the wrongs from his rookie season in the OHL.

McGillis entered the league on a high, being the seventh pick overall pick in the first round, by Windsor, in the 2004 OHL draft.

As is always the case when selected in the first round of the OHL, there were great expectations for the Sudbury teenager and even more so with

McGillis because he was a bruising power forward with plenty of toughness and skill.

Unfortunately, McGillis suffered a serious back injury in the summer of 2004, soon after being drafted. He tried to play through the pain and eventually missed the first two months of the season.

He suffered a hyper-extension of some muscles in his back and broke a vertebrae in his spine.

There were also trade rumours, a missed opportunity to play on Team Ontario's Under-17 team and internal strife within the Windsor organization to deal with.

It all weighed heavily on McGillis's mind.

"The injury was a big blow," said McGillis. "The injury put me back a lot. It was tough to come home and have to go to school with some of the Sudbury Wolves' players. They were playing hockey and I wasn't. There were times when I just wanted to pack up and stay at home."

While resting at home, McGillis had a heart-filled talk with his father that set the wheels in motion for his debut in the OHL. "My dad told me to stick it out, not be a cancer in the dressing room and if Windsor asked me to skate through walls, then I would," said McGillis. "I came back two months later and worked hard. "I became a role player. I would hit and fight, anything to try and lift my team up. It worked because by the end of the playoffs, I

was getting more ice time."

McGillis, 16, is out to show everyone this coming season he possesses the skills and talent to be an impact player for the Spitfires.

"I want to show everyone that my first season was a fluke and wasn't supposed to happen," said McGillis. "I want to prove to people that I am one of the best.

"I have to work really hard this summer, but it will pay off. That's the motto I am sticking with. A successful season for me would be 20 goals, and I will probably drop the mitts a few more times."

With Windsor recently hiring a new head coach in Moe Mantha, McGillis has renewed faith to make his mark as a member of the Spitfires. "With Mantha there, it's a fresh start," said McGillis. "He called me and said Windsor is looking for big, strong forwards."

McGillis' progress in the second half of the season didn't go unnoticed. "Corey came on down the stretch," said assistant coach Dave Prpich. "He showed why we picked him in the first round. Corey's going to be a big, strong centreman, and we need that type of player in Windsor.

"He's feisty and loves the physical game. Corey will be given every opportunity to have more of a significant role in 2005-06. He has a lot of room to grow. Corey should make more of an impact with a full training camp."

McGillis loves the rough aspects of hockey, and will use his physical assets to become a better player. "I am more of a power forward," said McGillis. "I don't back down from anyone. I never want to sit on the bench again. I want to play and make an impact."

McGillis is living out a dream by playing in the OHL, and enjoying the attention. "I remember the first kid who asked me for an autograph and I asked 'Why?'," said McGillis. "Then you realize, 'wow, I am playing in the OHL'. "I remember being a kid and asking for (former Sudbury Wolves player) Kip Brennan's autograph, how much it meant to me and how it's still at my home. Now, I am the player getting asked for an autograph. It's different and neat."

McGillis is also relishing his time in Windsor, which isn't much different from Sudbury. "I love the city," said McGillis. "Windsor is a hard-working community like Sudbury and they both have they same type of crazy fans."

McGillis will spend the remainder of the summer hitting the gym as much as possible to be in the best shape of his life with training camp less than one month away.