Q & A: JACK HILLEN
On the quick change from college FA to the NHL
[All this talk of Matt Gilroy and Tyler Bozak and this year's hot collegiate free agents made me want to track down Jack Hillen. A year ago, the Islanders signed the defenseman immediately after his college career at Colorado ended. He took part in one practice and played the final two games of the NHL season, both against the New York Rangers].
One day you were in college and the next you were in the NHL, and a lot of people could not believe how poised you were.
To be honest with you, I don’t think I really took the time to think about how momentous it was. If I did, it probably would have been a different story.
Any advice to college players like Gilroy and Bozak, who could make the jump in the next week?
Nothing from my two games with the Islanders at the end of last season, but I definitely learned a lot this year. My message to any player going from college to the pros would be to remember how fun the game is.
At the start of this season, I spent way too much time thinking about this as my profession and worrying about whether I’d have a job at the NHL level and icetime and everything else. For a short time, it wasn’t fun. My experience in Bridgey was a blast. I started getting back to why I love the game so much. I’ve kept that attitude ever since and I plan on keeping it that way. You play a lot better when you’re approaching it with passion and fun and not worrying about things out of your control.
In your four years at Colorado College you played 30, 42, 38 and 41 games. This season you’ll play more than 70 in the regular season and more when you rejoin the Sound Tigers for the playoffs. Yet you don’t seem to be wearing down. What’s the secret?
I think the issue of games played can be a bit overrated. I didn’t find the transition so rough. In college you play fewer games, but you’re on the ice just as much. We practiced Monday-Thursday and played Friday and Saturday. I think if you polled any hockey player, they’d tell you they’ll take a game over a practice any time.
What was the best advice you got when you came into the NHL?
Billy Guerin said to me, “Kid, listen to your body. If you’re tired, sleep.”
What was a typical practice week at Colorado?
You practice all week for two games on Friday and Saturday. Monday was kind of a flow day, getting back after your one day off on Sunday. Tuesday was the hardest practice of the week. They could last for more than two hours and be intense from start to finish. Wednesday was all about systems and Thursday was special teams. On Monday and Wednesday, we lifted after practice.
An NHLer was telling me the other day about learning to get used to all the downtime. How is it different than college?
In college you don’t have any. It’s class and hockey. In the pros, the key is finding things to do after practice on non-game days. When we have weeks like last week without a game between Sunday in Chicago and Thursday at home, you can go a little crazy. You have to find a hobby.
What’s yours?
Guitar. I picked it up about a year ago and I’m glad I did. It’s perfect for all the down time. I play constantly.
If the Islanders had a talent show or made you perform as part of some rookie hazing, what’s the one song you’d play?
I don’t play for anybody but myself. And I don’t sing. My fiancee suggests I move into another room the moment I start playing. I play Dave Matthews the most, but if I was forced to do a song, it would probably be something by Collective Soul. Maybe “Shine.”
Comments.
23 Responses to Q & A: JACK HILLEN
On the quick change from college FA to the NHL
-
Coach B says:
With all the hype on Gilroy, Hillen is still 2 years younger and is proving himself to be an NHL player. To give Gilroy a one way contract not subject to entry rules, the team that signs Gilroy better be sure he can play.
-
Warren says:
Hey Islander fans wait until next year and see him play a whole year. He’s one player and stock will rise . Remember be patient now they(Islanders) take baby steps and next year will make big leaps. As I always say, Next year will be a Cup run.
-
Hillen is starting to look like a pretty good dmen. I like him. I hope we can get gilroy and he is good. I don’t know much about him though.
-
Tony says:
I’ve been rooting for Hillen since day 1. He looks confident on the ice and plays tough despite his small stature. He’s made mistakes but that comes with the territory. I’m looking forward to seeing him improve next season.
-
Excellent. Nice answers from the young man.
I’m definitely putting his thoughts on that time-honored debate of practices vs. games into the old quiver. Though the fatigue of defensemen’s minutes vs. forwards’ minutes is another matter, heh heh.
-
Islander505 says:
Jack….Hillen…son….
505 here…
We spoke for awhile at the draft in June.
You wanna learn the guitar?
Forget about Matthews…he’s good, but he’s not the guitarist you wanna be learning from.
Neither is Collective Soul.Checkout Derek Trucks…he’s the best and he’s under 30 years of age.
Just my opinion….from two time zones away.
-
Bedell says:
I have high hopes for Hillen. He seems like a good guy and he has very good abilities. He is a perfect fit for Gordon’s system
-
KO21 says:
Funny how simple from Billy Guerin will stay with Hillen for the rest of his life…
-
Will C. says:
Hillen impressed me against the Rangers, and this year too. I think he should spend some time with Witter or Streit, he could learn from both. Gordo better start wathing the Av’s throw games and start the Razor from NVMC Security in goal.
-
doc says:
I agree… I think Hillen is a good fit for this team. He’s made tremendous strides in his development in less than a year.
This along with the much improved Gervais… the unexpected high end quality of Streit… the transformation of Witt back to being Witt… Martinek staying healthy for 3/4 of the season… and who knows… Callahan, Sutton, MacDonald, Meyer… and dare I say POCK who has been if nothing else – mistake free the past few weeks.
Therefore, there is no need to draft Hedman 1st (if the Islanders are fortunate to get the 1st pick that is).
Tavares!!!
DOC
-
upstatenyifan says:
It seems to me that the scouts got it right with Hillen and he seems to really take the vets advice to heart.
As far as guitar heroes (#7), I like Derek Trucks, but Jonny Lang gets my vote. -
blitz says:
Nice story so far for an undrafted player.
-
UNH Steve says:
Good luck to Hillen, he’s got a lot of potential. Nice to hear he’s a fellow guitar player and Dave Matthews listener as well.
-
NYICHAMP39 says:
Although Hillen has been very good this year I keep thinking also about how very good Joe Callahan was when he was up with the big club this year. I can remember several games where he layed hip checks on people that I haven’t seen since Darius Kasperitus was on the Island. I agree with #11. This team is not in as bad a shape defensively as most would think.
Bring be Johnny T!!!
-
Michael from T.O. says:
I guess we can really see why Campoli was traded. Not only did he want out, but it is nice to see that a there is a player that stepped in right away.
Keep up the good work Jack! -
cusi says:
Agree #16. Hillen has been good so far and has improved each game. Nice to see has a good head on his shoulders. We are starting to hear about character from all of these guys. Garth did a good job here as well.
-
HilbertSnipe says:
On Hillen, he is doing excellent. Gervais has really pulled through and that is not just commentary on his stat sheet the last ten games. He’s taking a lot more shots and has been more responsible in his own end since Campoli’s departure. Hillen is a great example of a young, new-style, defenseman. He lacks size, but gives good tape-to-tape passes (just as good as Weight, which is a huge compliment.)
Pock has looked …. decent recently, compared to the beginning of the season but there is no reason for him to be on the team next year. We have better depth in B-Port. This is coming from a UMass Amherst student who has to see humongous paintings in the student gym and Mullins Center of Thomas Pock when he was a NCAA powerhouse for us.
It is pitiful that they put him right next to Dr. J.
-
isles316 says:
Hillen has grown a lot this year. Hopefully the growth continues.
A bit off topic but anyone else notice that AVS fans stopped showing up after one bad season this year? The Isles get a bad rap for this.
Give most teams the lack of success the Islanders have had and see where there attendance goes.
-
I must say I was very hard on Hillen and did not think he was an NHL defensemen but he has won me over and he plays the system consistently better than some vets…his weak side pinch on the forecheck is very effective.
He’s won me over and probaly won a job for next season.
-
Kevin says:
I need to see more. Not on board as much as everyone else. Too small and not physical enough. He aint gonna grow anymore. As much of the team, time to hit the weight room this offseason.
-
du78 says:
Chris,
The Bozak sweepstakes are under way. Denver bowed out of the NCAA tourney last Friday. He is in Toronto with his agents weighing his offers. Although he has interest from 25 teams there is lots of chatter about Toronto, Ottawa, Columbus and Colorado. What have you heard on the Islanders front? I know there were lots of stories about their interest a few months ago.
Thanks
Hillen has really grown on me. Wasnt sold on him until recently. I like his style of play and you can see his confidence.. Nice pickup by Snow