Team 1260: Jason Bonsignore interview

[HotToddy]

Originally Posted by Perfect_Drug

Interesting TED talk about motivation:


Truth be told, JB really didn't sound like he wanted it very badly. I know plenty of drafted players that couldn't quite make the cut. They spend their evenings partying, eating pizza, and not really focusing on their careers.

If a professional athlete isn't conditioned, then there's proof they aren't taking it seriously. They DON'T have a good diet. They AREN'T exercising.

I work as a Character Art Director for a video game studio in Montreal, and I review thousands of applicants for jobs. Most of those applicants have zero understanding of anatomy, and zero understanding of proportions, and form. It's all there, yet almost all of them defend their bad anatomy, tooth and nail, rather than admit it needs work, and take a class.





The other thing I should note is although negative reinforcement only works with a few people. NHL'ers deal with incredulous amounts of negative reinforcement through the media, and the fans. ESPECIALLY the fans in Edmonton.

If a player is playing poorly in the NHL, they will not be coddled to play better. They will be told they are a 'bum' then ran out of town.


If Jason Bonsignore was a player that needed positive reinforcement, he really never had a shot at becoming an NHLer.

I couldn't agree more.

Elite conditioning and nutrition are table stakes for professional athletes now. If they refuse to do it there careers will most lilkely be short.

It's what I couldn't understand about the Schremp excitement. The guy looked doughy everytime he took his shirt of in his first few camps, then we all get excited when he comes to camp one year in ..wait for it...shape.

Contrast it to Gagne who was running up sandhills with a tire strapped to his back as an 18 year old and looked like he stepped out of Men's fitness magazine.

Hmm..who is going to have success.

[Oil Gauge]

Originally Posted by flashy

Yea thats totally what I was saying in my post...

Player's Edmonton brought in recently who sucked/didnt come close to expectations.

O'sullivan
Lupul
Penner(Last season notwithstanding)
Foster
Comrie
Cogs and gags and Nilson nose diving since their rookie season.
Smid's inability to get any better.

I could go on here, face it our development program sucks. Had it not been for the last couple of draft picks this organization would be going nowhere.

O'sullivan
Penner
Foster
Comrie

Were all brought into the organization as NHL players, how does that reflect their dvelopment program even in the slightest???

I'm not sure if you have noticed either but in the last few years the Oilers have mademajor changes and added extra focus to their developmental system, judging it on the past isn't really fair.

[jumptheshark]

I love how he played the vic card

my reaction after relistening to it--is that he thought being a high first rounder meant he was special or something and deserved special treatment

[CanmoreMike]

Originally Posted by TheStig

I love how he played the vic card

my reaction after relistening to it--is that he thought being a high first rounder meant he was special or something and deserved special treatment

At a certain point in that conversation I fully expected to hear him say that he "came to town with the promise of a new job, spent all his money on a bus ticket getting here and now that the job fell through he's trying to get home. Can you spare some change, man."

For some serious analysis:

I don't know when NHL teams started rigorously testing players personalities and character but I have a hard time believing that a JB would be anything but a third round flyer today. He didn't have the stats in his draft year (60 points!) and he never achieved anything of note during his first seasons in the OHL and all of that dirt that Gare Joyce dug up in his book would have been laid to bear sooner rather than later. He was drafted on talent and size alone and based on that I still believe the Oilers got the best player in that draft. Obviously, a 6'4" frame doesn't make a hockey player.

He did come off as a whiney kid who probably would've been a cautionary tale for whoever drafted him but I think he shed some light on the shortcomings of this organization and its drafting and development policies back in the day - shortcomings we've all been quick to attack them for committing. Many kids failed in this organization and if you asked others they'd probably have similar stories of a desperate Glen Sather busting their chops to be better while other teams were teaching and mentoring their players to greatness. Or at least NHL jobs.

I appreciate that he came forward and spoke.

Thanks for posting this conversation. I would've never noticed it.

[Hoogaar23]

Originally Posted by CanmoreMike

I still believe the Oilers got the best player in that draft.

Are you aware that Daniel Alfredsson was also drafted that year?

[CanmoreMike]

Originally Posted by Hoogaar23

Are you aware that Daniel Alfredsson was also drafted that year?

Many good players were in that draft - some who are still playing today.

I'm saying that if all you weigh when looking at a hockey player is size, skating and physical skills the guy had it all. Based on that and that alone the Oilers got the best physical specimen. Unfortunately that's all he had going on for him which is why he is where he is today.

[Hoogaar23]

Originally Posted by CanmoreMike

Many good players were in that draft - some who are still playing today.

I'm saying that if all you weigh when looking at a hockey player is size, skating and physical skills the guy had it all. Based on that and that alone the Oilers got the best physical specimen. Unfortunately that's all he had going on for him which is why he is where he is today.

I misunderstood what you wrote - read it too fast I guess. I read it as despite that pick we ended up with the best player from that draft (Smyth), and I was reminding you of Alfredsson.

Hukt awn foniks fer mi!

[flashy]

Originally Posted by Oil Gauge

O'sullivan
Penner
Foster
Comrie

Were all brought into the organization as NHL players, how does that reflect their dvelopment program even in the slightest???

I'm not sure if you have noticed either but in the last few years the Oilers have mademajor changes and added extra focus to their developmental system, judging it on the past isn't really fair.

That they come here and do worse then before? Players can develop after a rookie season...