tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2553903000955128175.post1825360734702099880..comments2024-03-28T10:57:16.064-04:00Comments on OHL Prospects: Brandon Francisco, Sarnia's Forgotten Man?Brock Ottenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08237782074032840702noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2553903000955128175.post-1242688762448383892010-11-23T21:38:13.054-05:002010-11-23T21:38:13.054-05:00To the one anonymous,
Thanks for the comments. It...To the one anonymous,<br /><br />Thanks for the comments. It's always good getting feedback like that. Truth is, putting together player pieces (including a Q & A) can often be difficult for various reasons. But I love doing them so I'll try to keep them up.<br /><br />By the way, one of the guys you suggested (Schemitsch), I've actually interviewed and created a piece on him. It was at the beginning of last year when he was starting to really make a name for himself.<br /><br />Here is the interview<br />http://ohlprospects.blogspot.com/2009/11/interview-with-owen-sounds-geoffrey.html<br /><br />Here is the article<br />http://www.attackhockey.com/article/schemitsch-a-diamond-in-the-rough-p-interview-with-local-sports-report/13554Brock Ottenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08237782074032840702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2553903000955128175.post-65253595511019888112010-11-21T22:19:12.622-05:002010-11-21T22:19:12.622-05:00I disagree seeing after Sarnia several times, that...I disagree seeing after Sarnia several times, that Francisco's transition to an all around kinda game is starting to happen. Some games he's off but other games, and on a more consistent basis he's become solid in all 3 zones, which is something you never saw out of him 12 months ago. He's got offensive skills, just because they're not all going in doesn't mean he's not creating them. Galchenyuk only had 2 goals in 11 games Francisco was his linemate and constantly set him and Ritchie up who started slumping again at the same time. Francisco can make as many great passes as he wants if 94 and 20 don't finish then his name doesn't show up in the stats column. But when Ritchie was putting up 5 goals in 7 games people still complained about his finishing, so that shows you how slow Sarnia can be to get off a players back sometimes. Also to say he's soft and doesn't go into corners has 2 sides to it. On one hand he doesn't innitiate contact, very often, but if you watch he's starting to, but on the other hand i've seen him get drilled just to set up a pass that created a scoring chance. A "soft" or "scared player would try to move out of the situation or get away from the hit, not put himself in a vulnerable position to make the play for the team and get hit harder than if he just backed out. Just my take on it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2553903000955128175.post-75066514542316711962010-11-21T21:24:35.188-05:002010-11-21T21:24:35.188-05:00"off-the-beaten-path" ^^^ my bad"off-the-beaten-path" ^^^ my badAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2553903000955128175.post-30738178345034327432010-11-21T21:22:50.471-05:002010-11-21T21:22:50.471-05:00Hey Brock,
Just wanted to say that the interview ...Hey Brock,<br /><br />Just wanted to say that the interview was in depth and probing. I'd really enjoy reading more of these as there's so much insight offered into the NCAA decision, the trials & tribulations of an OHL rookie, as well as the personal stuff with the agent, McQueen, etc. Stats and evaluations are fine but this makes it more personal and interesting. In addition to the ringers, it would be awesome to try and hit all types of players, even off-the-beaten stories such as Jamie Wise, Geoffrey Schemitsch, etc.<br /><br />Excellent read, Thanks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2553903000955128175.post-82575033365017280302010-11-19T16:41:29.232-05:002010-11-19T16:41:29.232-05:00Anonymous,
I've only seen Sarnia play twice t...Anonymous,<br /><br />I've only seen Sarnia play twice this year...and both times were on T.V. So you're correct that I haven't seen him play a ton (or live) yet this season. That being said, what I did see was a kid with a lot of speed and offensive talent who has made strides defensively. <br /><br />You're right, he does need to work on his play away from the puck in the offensive zone and to start to become more aggressive, but he clearly realizes this and understands that to be a weakness of his. The first step to improvement is the realization that one needs to improve. The fact that his defensive game has improved (IMO) speaks volumes to his work ethic (which sounds excellent).<br /><br />Bottom line is this. You can't teach skill and if he's playing as poorly as you're suggesting, he wouldn't be putting up the type of stats he is. Yes he needs to improve his consistency and his play in traffic in order to reach his goal of a selection in the first three rounds...but again he realizes this and is clearly determined to work towards improving it.Brock Ottenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08237782074032840702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2553903000955128175.post-73723957373849073132010-11-19T13:51:47.237-05:002010-11-19T13:51:47.237-05:00I think Brock you haven't seen Brandon play mu...I think Brock you haven't seen Brandon play much this season. He's a nice kid, but afraid to go into the corners and most nights is invisible on the ice. You talk about media coverage, he doesn't deserve any at this point. I hope he comes around in the second half of the season, but until he starts to get his nose dirty and stops turning over the puck in the neutral zone, the jury is still out. It's not always about goals and points. ThanksAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com