Sabres prospect Myers makes sizable impression in camp
LEWISTON -- Tyler Myers was doing his best to keep his emotions out of the interview. His talk was filled with the standard fare of working hard, trying to improve and doing the best he can.
But the Buffalo Sabres' top prospect had to smile Monday when the topic turned to how many players in his draft class are already making an impact. Eight players picked a year ago spent at least half the season in the NHL, a high number that shows young guys can pay early dividends.
So for anyone in Sabreland who's worried that Myers is only 19 years old, he had a grin-filled message: Look at the player, not his birth certificate.
"If the person's ready to play, I'd keep them," Myers said before leaving the decision to the Sabres' executives. "They're going to decide if I'm ready or not."
Nearly every indicator shows Myers is ready. The 6-foot-8 defenseman accomplished almost everything he could at the junior level last winter. He won a gold medal with Canada at the world junior tournament. He was named Most Valuable Player of the Western Hockey League playoffs, leading Kelowna, British Columbia, into the Memorial Cup.
He was a man among boys, and he's in line to become a man among men. He's participating in the Sabres' rookie development camp at Niagara University this week, but it's merely an appetizer for training camp in September.
"I'm going to come into camp this year working for a spot on the team," Myers said in Dwyer Arena. "I'm going to do everything I can on and off the ice. It's been a good workout summer for me so far, and I'm just going to do the best I can. Whatever they decide for me, I'll accept."
During the first day of camp Monday, Myers twice scored the clinching goal in team relays. He was hardly skittish last summer in his first camp with the Sabres, but he's even calmer now. He credits Kelowna coaches Jeff Finley and Ryan Huska for a whirlwind year of development.
"I can't thank them enough," he said. "It was a very good year, and I was very happy with it. I think playing in Kelowna this past year was huge for me. I made a lot of big strides in my game, especially mentally."
The biggest concern when the Sabres selected Myers 12th overall in 2008 was whether he'd fill out his towering frame. He's starting. He was 6-7, 210 pounds last summer, and he's 6-8, 220 now. He's targeting 235 pounds as a goal. It will help him clear the front of the net.
It will become clear over the next couple of months whether the Sabres feel Myers is ready. General Manager Darcy Regier has said he's trying to make trades, and if a defenseman or two depart, it could mean there's room for Myers.
He knows the rest is up to him, and he knows the decision makers will be watching. Fans can get a glimpse for themselves today when the camp opens to the public at 3:30 p.m.
"I just go out there and play my game," Myers said, "and whatever [the Sabres] decide for me I'll accept."
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