Bryce Montgomery (4.25-stars), a 6-foot-3 defenseman out of Maryland, signed with the London Knights (OHL) back in May and just wrapped up his first OHL camp with the team.
Originally a Providence College commit, Montgomery appeared in 33 games last season for Cushing Academy, notching seven assists. Before joining London for camp, Montgomery participated in USA Hockey’s Select-17 camp this summer where he put up two assists in five games.
“He is physically gifted and is a strong, powerful defender,” our scouts noted at last season’s Mass. Midget Playoffs. “He has a strong lower half and a long stride. He took open ice when it was given to him and he pushed the pace through the neutral zone.”
Montgomery sat down with Neutral Zone this week for an exclusive interview …
NZ: You just broke camp with the London Knights, your first OHL camp. How did it go?
Montgomery: “Camp went really well. It’s an awesome experience playing with high-end guys every day. There was an adjustment but I felt like it only took maybe one practice before I was able to adjust my game and know what I needed to do.”
NZ: What were some of those adjustments you felt you needed to make? A lot of guys say the speed of the game is the biggest difference at the higher levels, but what did you feel?
Montgomery: “It was mostly the little things. Playing 2-on-1s were a lot different at first. The forwards now know to stop and cut back and make different plays, which isn’t something I was seeing before but it’s helped make me better. Playing against great players makes you better.
“Playing defense in the zone is a little different. I need to be on my guy all the time. You can’t cheat. I can’t let his stick get on the ice in front of the net, so stick positioning has been a big emphasis. With the puck, I’m trying to move it a lot quicker. Everything just happens quicker, but once you get used to it, it’s good.”
NZ: Not being drafted, how did the first contact with London come about?
Montgomery: “One of their main scouts, Billy Sullivan, is from my area. I’ve been on his radar for the past three or four years. I think I was always one of his top prospects from the area. He wanted me to come to camp this year and he felt I was ready. Then after they saw me in one game, they were interested and we had long discussions about the whole process. They thought I was ready for this year, to take my game to the next level.
“I want to become the best hockey player I can. With all of the options at hand, including Providence where I was committed, I felt like London for me was the best chance for me to develop into the best player I can be.”
NZ: How would you describe your style?
Montgomery: “I am a two-way defenseman. In some games, that changes. I think I can adapt depending on the game and the situation. On some shifts, like if we have a lead late in the game, I might need to be more defensive. Other times there might be situations where I should jump up in the play and be more offensive and I can do both.”
NZ: Our scouts have really praised your skating ability, which for a 6-foot-3 guy, I’m sure that’s something you must work on quite a bit.
Montgomery: “Skating has been the No. 1 priority for me my entire life. Before I even played hockey, when I was six years old, I was doing power skating. To me, skating is the most important aspect of being a hockey player. I work on it constantly. Even up in London, I do the basics before and after practice. It’s something you always need to work on. I think my skating ability helps my game so much, and my skating ability is probably consistent feedback I get. It’s never something that people say I need to work on, which is great because I take a lot of pride in it, but that’s because it’s something I work on all the time.”
NZ: On top of that, I’m sure your size is something you also look to use, I would imagine particularly in the defensive zone.
Montgomery: “Yeah, it’s always an advantage. Whether I’m battling for pucks or boxing guys out in front of the net.
“That being said, I do think at this level I need to be more physical. The guys at this level are too good for me to not use my size and not play the body. I think, at least where I’ve played before, you’ll notice guys back off a little bit in the defensive zone because of my size, and if I play the body more, I think that’s going to happen more.”
NZ: How has the adjustment been to the OHL schedule? Realizing you aren’t in the middle of it just yet, do you think that will be a big adjustment coming out of prep school?
Montgomery: “I can feel the grind that it’s going to be. We are on the ice every day. That’s not a big difference for me, because I always practiced some daily habits on the ice, but being on the ice every day like we will be, as a team, is going to be an adjustment.
“We’re going to have to take care of our bodies. Our trainer here is constantly on us about recovery. Stretching, ice baths, doing all the things we need to do in order to be ready to go. We really have a pro schedule. It’s hardcore. You have to adjust to the pace and balance all of that stuff. Nutrition is also a big thing, and making sure we get our sleep. There are a lot of mechanics to it, but it’s going to help me become a better player and prepare me for hockey as a career.”
