Columbus, OH --- Hockey Hall of Famer Herb Brooks once said, "Success is won by those who believe in winning and then prepare for that moment." It would seem that the Blue Jackets are studying the late great Mr. Brooks.
Defenseman Dalton Prout, drafted in 2010 (round 6, 154th overall), has been on both sides of the transformation of the Blue Jackets club, from just kind of existing to being a viable playoff contender. Key to turning that corner has been a belief within the team, the organization and most importantly, himself.
It's about more than just going out on the ice and playing a hockey game. It's as much a shared commitment as it is about the individual players. Talent alone will not win hockey games. Prout sees preparation as a vital key to continuing their climb to be a successful club within the NHL.
"The willingness to prepare to be good", he said. "When you get to this level, you have a certain amount of talent. At this level, you have a certain level of work ethic, especially when you're on the ice.
"By preparing, I mean taking care of your body during the summer, the way that we prepare for practice and the professionalism. All this, through and through, is the biggest difference from the time I got here to now."
Having just signed a two year, $2.15M contract extension this summer, Prout looks to take the next step in his development. He's played 82 games over the course of the last three seasons with the Blue Jackets.
"I feel like my first year I just played without thinking about it. Then, last year I felt that I had to do a little bit extra to keep my spot. I know that I've never taken anything for granted, but I almost used it as something that worked against me last year.
"But I feel with the contract and being healthy all summer, I'm more prepared for this season. I'm more confident going into it. I just feel a lot better."
Last year was not a great year for him, with a weight-lifting injury last summer (and subsequent abdominal surgery) that had him playing catch-up. After being sent to Springfield during the Olympics, he came back to Columbus a better player. By the end of the season, he was on the ice for twenty-plus minutes a night.
"I didn't realize how different it would be until I had a full summer of training and preparing for camp," Prout said, "knowing how I feel now compared to one year ago today. It really set-in how much of a difference the confidence and preparation goes into everything.
"I'm probably ten pounds heavier. And everything, as far as my speed training, has gone up. I put on the weight without slowing down, that's what I wanted to do and that was my goal. I had a full four months to do that."
In the midst of a new season's training camp, there are guys that are playing for a spot on the team. The competition this breeds among the roster players is healthy. This means that the push is on, with roster players having to 'up' their game or risk losing their spot to a newcomer.
"I think you're always pushed", said Prout. "It's a mutual thing in every camp. There's always competition for jobs, always people coming to take your job and you're always pushing each other.
"Like I've said before, we're all in here for the greater good, and that's to win. Everybody is going to take the best opportunity they can to put their best foot forward when called upon. It doesn't change year-to-year and it doesn't change guy-to-guy.
The familiarity of seeing the same faces bonds these players together. Not only are they close friends, the chemistry that has formed is paying dividends. Prout knows this good, not only for the players, but for the club, as well.
"The way I look at it is familiarity. The way you play faster is being a step ahead mentally over the other team. Knowing your partner, knowing where he's going to be and knowing where to pass the puck gives you that edge."
"Since there wasn't a lot of (roster) turnover, everyone should play quicker right from the get-go. From this point to Christmas to game 75, you're going to be that much farther ahead."
One issue that has hampered Columbus for the last few seasons is a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows. Getting the team to play consistent hockey for the grind of an 82 game season is paramount for the continued success of the organization. The consistency they seek starts with each individual player.
"I think the work ethic has always been there. The lockout year, everything kind of fell into place and (Sergei) Bobrovsky played so well. The next year, we were still a fairly new team to each other.
"So, I feel like we went through some trials and tribulations last year that helped us to bond as a team. Knowing each other really well and everybody being so close, I think we're going to have a better start just because of that this year."
With the league getting faster, coupled with rule changes, how does the 24 year old Prout (6'3", 222 lbs.) keep pace with everything?
"I think it goes into your offseason workouts and preparation for the season. You're not focusing on just getting bigger and stronger. You're focusing on getting bigger, stronger, faster and quicker.
"You're not necessarily in the gym 24/7. You're on the ice. You're working with skating coaches on your feet, your hands and your coordination. So, I think the biggest part is it affects your offseason training."
With the likes of Scott Hatnell, Boone Jenner and Nathan Horton (the list goes on), this team almost has the makeup of an 'old-time hockey' kind of club. This, of course, feeds into their identity of being a hard-working team that is tough to play against.
"Yeah, I think we embrace that", said Prout. "We like that. It gives your team an identity. When the other team comes in, they know they're in for a battle. They know they're in for a long night. If everybody plays healthy and up to their potential, we welcome that kind of game."
Dalton Prout is looking to have a very good year, but is of the belief that the team comes first, above all personal achievements. In this regard, Herb Brooks would have really liked this kid.
