Through Scott Norton, President of Norton Sports Management, I was able to grab another interview, this one with Flyers prospect Andrew Rowe. Rowe signed a contract with the Philadelphia Flyers following his junior season at Michigan State University, where he scored 17 goals in 38 games.
DL: Can you tell me about your decision to forgo your senior season at Michigan State and sign with the Philadelphia Flyers?
AR: It was the toughest decision I’ve had to make, but it’s been my dream to play professional hockey. The Philadelphia Flyers seems like the best fit for my style of play. I believe I am ready for the next challenge in my life, and look forward to helping the Flyers get back to many more Cup Finals in the future.
DL: Coming from the USHL, how has Michigan State made you a better hockey player?
AR: I could not say enough about the coaching staff and overall program they run at Michigan State. It has been the best years of my life,and I could not imagine myself having gone anywhere else. As for the hockey aspect, Coach Comley and the staff were nothing but great to me on and off the ice, building me into the player I am now and preparing me for the next step.
DL: MSU has been a CCHA powerhouse and there is a long proud list of Michigan State Spartans playing in the NHL, past and present, including recent Cup champ, Duncan Keith, can you tell me what it means to you to possibly be the next one?
AR: It would be an honor to be put into the same list as those Spartans who have played in the NHL, and especially a great player like Keith. I always heard about guys at MSU like Joe Murphy and Rob Brind’Amour, who are/were great NHL players and Stanley Cup Champs.
DL: On the same token, what does it mean to you to be signed by an organization like the Philadelphia Flyers?
AR: I have heard nothing but great things about the Flyers as an organization. I am so thrilled to be associated with them, and that was a big factor in my decision to turn professional.
DL: Have you spoken to any players in the Flyers organization, former teammates or former MSU alums?
AR: The only contact I have had with teammates with the Flyers is Ben Holmstrom. Ben and I share the same agent, Scott Norton, and Scott has arranged for both Ben and I to share an apartment and train together in Philly this summer. I also played against Western Michigan’s Alumnus Matt Clackson who played for the Phantoms last season.
DL: If you could compare your game to one NHL player in the League right now, who is it?
AR: I have never really thought about it, but if I had to compare my play with an NHL player, it would be Darren Helm of the Detroit Red Wings. I think he is a great young player who uses his great speed to not only provide offense, but be effective on the forecheck. He is also really good in his defensive zone, and a great penalty killer.
DL: You had a career-best 17 goals and 11 assists for 38 points in 38 games last season (jr. season) for the Spartans and wore the “A”. What type of player are the Phantoms/Flyers gaining in you?
AR: I plan on giving the Flyers organization the same effort and drive I gave at MSU. I am planning on being a big, fast winger who is strong along the wall; uses his speed as a weapon; and can score goals from the tough areas.
*Hat tip to Scott Norton and Norton Sports Management for allowing us the opportunity to sit down with the future skaters of the NHL.
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