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Throughout their careers, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguin players had to prove themselves at various levels and tryout for a team or two. Not every tryout went their way and the experience often provided a learning lesson that would be applied throughout their careers. Each week we’ll ask a Penguin player to look back at some of their tryouts over the years and what they learned from the experience.
Player: Brian Dumoulin
Age: 23
Years pro: 3
What was the first team you had to try out for and what was the experience like: “It was squirts when they first started eliminating and separating people into A and B teams. At the time, I didn’t make the A team and I went home to play for Biddeford one more year. I know a lot of guys and even myself that didn’t make it right away that still continued to play hockey and loved it.”
Were you nervous during that first tryout: “There’s a little bit of nerves, but it’s more anxiousness to get it done and over with, and do the best you can.”
How did you approach it: “You have to do everything you can to make it, but not be a puck hog or selfish. No one wants a bad teammate. You still have to show you have potential while being a good teammate.”
Is it different trying out for a team as a pro: “It’s the same in that you have the disappointment if you don’t make the team at training camp or as a kid. Then it was for fun and now it’s a job that someone’s deciding if you make it or not.”
What advice do you have a for a young player trying out for the first time: “It’s easy to say go out there and have fun. Be respectful to everyone – players and coaches. That goes a long way. The better the teammate you can be it will benefit you in the long run.”