When NHL training camps opened up last season, Grandview's Ryan Pulock was doing everything in his power to make the New York Islanders.
He did that and ended up playing 68 games and picked up 32 points. When training camp opened up this season, Ryan knew he would be playing on the Islanders.
Now it's just about building and improving as the pre-season has begun.
"Things have been going pretty good so far," said Pulock after practice yesterday. "Obviously we had some big changes in the summer with management and hiring Barry. Training camp has been different and guys are fighting for different opportunities."
"It's about learning right now because Barry's expectations are obviously different then what we had in the past," he added. "Couple pre-season games have been played now and it's just nice to be back."
Ryan and the Islanders will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing season last year. The team finished in seventh place in the Metropolitan division with a 35-37-10 record. In that attempt to bounce back, the Isles made a couple splashes in the offseason. They brought on Lou Lamoriello as the team's President of Hockey Operations. Then on June 21, the Islanders hired Stanley Cup Champion Barry Trotz as the team's new head coach.
"Coming in here Barry definitely set a standard and if we want to be successful, we need to follow it," said Pulock. "We need to work hard and be accountable to each other. I'd say we went to work from the start of camp and everyone's really excited with what's to come."
"I think around the league there are a lot of teams who are thinking we won't be very good this season," he added. "I think we have to take that and eat it. Our goal is to prove people wrong. We're not going to be an easy team to play against. If we outwork other teams which we know we can, we should be alright out there."
This year will also mark year one of the post John Tavares era. After nine seasons with the team and 661 points, John is now a Leaf. Despite losing a bonafide scorer, Ryan is confident in the Isles and their ability to find scoring elsewhere.
"I mean he's been a big part of the offence here in the past," said Pulock. "We still have a lot of elite skill. I mean Barzal, Bailey, Eberle, Lee are all here. It's just about us playing the right way. We have to play defensively sound and play a 200-foot game. We're still going to score goals and Barry will have us playing the right way for sure."
When Ryan got the chance to hit the ice last year after being a healthy scratch, he was near the bottom of the depth chart. He remained there for a good amount of time and then he began to prove he was better than a bottom pair guy. For him this year, he wants to be a lockdown guy with offensive upside.
"I want to establish that I can be a top pairing kind of guy," said Pulock. "Obviously it was a slow start last year but then I was getting chances to play against the other team's top players. It's important for myself to feel like I can be counted on in big situations whatever they are."
Pulock and the Islanders continue their pre-season tomorrow against New Jersey.
Moving forward, Ryan's having nothing but good thoughts.
"I think this year is especially exciting with all of the changes and bringing in Barry," added Pulock. "Barry's had a ton of success and he's the guy you're going to listen to."
"For myself, I have the confidence heading into this season based on how I performed last year," he added. "I'm looking forward to playing with that confidence for the entire season."
What are Ryan's goals for the season after recording a 32 point campaign and a five-point game against Chicago? They're pretty simple really.
"I think the big thing for me is just continuing to get better every year," said Pulock. "I look at my numbers from last season and my goal is to improve on those for sure."
The squad begins their regular season on October 4.
