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September 9, 2009

TC's Redmond stays focused

Thrashers pick headed back to Ferris State

BY JAMES COOK

TRAVERSE CITY -- Zach Redmond is trying to stay grounded.

The Traverse City native and Ferris State standout has tried to shrug off all the hoopla that comes with being selected in the NHL Entry Draft.

Redmond is the only player on his college team to have been drafted, so it's understandable that he gets some attention after his selection by the Atlanta Thrashers. However, the defenseman, who was a team captain as just a sophomore last year, lets it slide.

"I've been really focusing on trying to not let the whole draft thing go to my head," Redmond said. "I've heard a lot of guys and a lot of coaches tell me that when it happens, try to act like nothing happened. A lot of guys get taken and they get lethargic and they think they've made it. That's one thing I really try hard not to let get to me. I'm no further than I was last year or the year before until I sign a contract."

But he's traveled a bit more.

For the second summer in a row, Redmond went to Atlanta to work out with the team.

"It went really well," Redmond said. "It's basically just a week of conditioning. It's to get you in shape and get you familiar with the area. I don't know that much about the city, but from what I saw, it looks pretty awesome."

While Redmond and the rest of the players at camp had to get up at 6 a.m. each morning to run before Atlanta's sweltering heat hit, one critique of the city as a professional sports town is its equally hot nightlife can be trouble for athletes.

"I'm sure there's a lot of distractions down there, but I'm safe for now," Redmond joked.

He's been able to dodge trouble on and off the ice, earning the Bulldog's Most Valuable Player award last year as a sophomore.

Redmond came back to Traverse City on Sunday to watch Atlanta's game with the Detroit Red Wings at the NHL Prospects Tournament at Centre ICE arena -- joined by fellow Bulldog and former Traverse City North Stars forward Kyle Bonis -- and also met with Thrashers team officials.

But as of now, he's going about things as if he'll be finishing out his four years at Ferris.

"If they want me and think my time is right next year, we'll see," the 21-year-old Redmond said of the Thrashers. "But I'm taking it a year at a time right now and doing what they want me to do."

"I try not to think about it, because it can go a number of ways. I'm just focusing on playing as well as I can, and if everything goes right, maybe this will be the last year. But we'll see. I just try to keep my head down and work hard."

One thing Atlanta has told him to do is get his body fat percentage up.

Redmond played at Ferris State last year at about 195 pounds, and the Thrashers said they would like him to add some body fat and stay in the 200-pound area.

"They say that during a long season, you're going to need it or your energy level is going to go down a bit," Redmond said. "So I'm working on eating as much as I can, but eating well and having a good diet."

Redmond has shined even though the Bulldogs have struggled. Ferris was 12-19-7 last year, as the defenseman was the team's second-leading scorer with 24 points and was just one of four to play in all 38 games.

Redmond said he's hopeful the Bulldogs can make a move in the CCHA this season with a veteran team that brings back 21 of 26 letter winners and has only four incoming freshmen, including Bonis.

"It's a smaller class," Redmond said. "My class had eight and the one before that was seven. Four is more easy to bring in and make them feel like part of the team. It'll be easier to get four guys in the system than seven or eight."

One of Ferris' big losses in the offseason was the graduation of fellow Traverse City native Corey Couturier, who is now with Pittsburgh Penguins' affiliate Wheeling Nailers, along with another TC native, former Notre Dame forward Justin White.

The Bulldogs open the season Oct. 9 at Canisius.

Today's Prospect Camp Games

Dallas vs. Columbus, 3
Atlanta vs. Carolina, 3:30
St. Louis vs. Minnesota, 6:30
Detroit vs. New York Rangers, 7

All games are at Centre ICE. Tickets are $5 and are good for all four games. The tournament concludes on Thursday.

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