Q and A with Kelowna Rockets Prospect Ryan Forbes
The tiny town of Kitimat may be best known for it’s fishing and aluminum production, but also hidden away in the beautiful coastal city in northwestern British Columbia, is hockey prospect Ryan Forbes. Forbes is a rarity of sorts, as he was selected in the eleventh round, 229th overall by the Kelowna Rockets in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft. Which may not sound like a big deal to many observers, but consider this, the town has only graduated three players from minor hockey to the pros in Don Nachbaur, Mark Fitzpatrick, and most recently Rod Pelley of the New Jersey Devils. So give the kid some credit, as he has the potential to be a very good WHL player for the Rockets. This season, Ryan captained the AA Kitimat Bantam Lions, but missed the first three months of the schedule after breaking his wrist in the first game of the year. The 5-foot-8, 155-pound playmaking centre came back on a tear however, racking up 30 goals and adding 34 assists in 21 games to finish the season third in team scoring. He also added 22 penalty minutes and defensively was a plus-49. Forbes is a great skater, that has a big-time shot, to go with very good hockey sense, and he makes his linemates better with his ability to dish the puck. He is a leader on and off the ice, a straight-A student, and a kid with a bright future ahead of him. I had a chance to catch up with young talent, who plans to play with the Pursuit of Excellence Hockey Academy in Kelowna next season, for a quick Q and A.
It is not too often a player from Kitimat, BC gets selected in the WHL Bantam Draft. How big of a thrill was it, and did you know you were going to be selected?
Ryan: Being selected was a huge thrill and very exciting. I wasn’t sure if I was going to be chosen, so it came as a surprise.
Where were you and what were you doing when you found out?
Ryan: I was rushing home from school to check the draft results online. Then it just happened, I was by myself so I phoned my dad right away, and he was very proud.
The Kelowna Rockets are such a great organization, and are a powerhouse when it comes to winning and graduating players to the NHL. Is it maybe a little extra motivating knowing they were interested in you?
Ryan: Knowing the Kelowna Rockets are interested in me is very motivating, but I still have to work extremely hard to get there, and take the next step to the WHL.
What are the strengths of your game, and is there anything you want to work on moving forward?
Ryan: The strengths in my game are my skating and my playmaking ability for sure. I think the thing I need to work on for the future, is playing with more of an edge.
Is there a player in the NHL you mold your game after?
Ryan: I try to mold my game after Jonathan Toews, simply because he is my favourite player, and he has great leadership qualities.
Who has helped you the most thus far, in developing your game?
Ryan: Definitely my Dad (Martin), all my coaches, as well as my teammates, have helped me to develop into the player I am.
Even though players in Northern BC seem to face a tough time taking the next step due to exposure and level of competition, there has been a handful of guys to make the NHL. Off the top of my head, Dan Hamhuis of Smithers comes to mind and of course local Kitimatian Rod Pelley. Personally do you feel it is more of a challenge honing your craft in Northern BC?
Ryan: I do feel it’s more of a challenge developing my game in Northern BC just because of the little exposure, and the calibre of hockey isn’t as high as down South for sure. That is what drives me to excel though, and like I said before, I have been lucky to have great coaches and teammates to help me along the way so far.
What does your summer workout schedule look like as far as camps are concerned?
Ryan: I have a hectic schedule this summer, which includes the Edge of Excellance school in late July, Jr. prep camp in Kelowna at the beginning of August, then Elite skater camp and Kelowna Rockets rookie camp at the end of August, with Pursuit of Excellence tryouts at the beginning of September.
You participated in the BC Best Ever tourney, what was that experience like?
Ryan: The BC Best Ever experience was a good tournament to showcase my skills. Being from Northern BC it was good to see where I am at in the Province against the top competition.
What is the highlight of your young career so far?
Ryan: I would say the highlight of my hockey career would have to be winning a gold medal with my Western Canadian team in Europe. As well as being selected in the WHL draft.
Biggest goal you’ve scored?
Ryan: The biggest goal I scored was at Provincials this year, we were tied against Prince George with a minute left, we pulled the goalie and with 4 seconds left I received a good pass and buried the puck, it was also my hat trick goal that game.
A lot of players like to talk trash on the ice, what is the funniest chirp you’ve heard?
Ryan: (Ha/ha) The funniest chirp I’ve heard would have to be when a player on the other team asked me if I needed a hug as I skated toward the ref to talk to him.
Being from Kitimat, that means there is always long road trips, what was the funniest moment on the bus this season?
Ryan: The funniest moment on the bus this season was when a few of my teammates fell asleep and the rest of the team decided to draw moustaches on their faces(ha/ha), they also found it funny.
If you had to pick the most underrated player on your team who would it be and why?
Ryan: I’d have to say the most underrated player on my team is a defenseman by the name of Jordan Craven, because he is solid one-on-one, and he can hit like a truck.
Favorite hockey pump up song?
Ryan: My favourite pump up song is “Can’t Be Touched” by Roy Jones Jr.
