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AHL Utica Comets

Comet Tales: Meet John Negrin

February 22, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Utica Comets News Release


Heading into a three-game weekend with Syracuse, Binghamton, and Albany, Comets' defenseman John Negrin is excited. Playing his first two regular season contests as a Comet the previous weekend against Rochester and Toronto, the now very healthy former draft pick of the Calgary Flames just wants more ice time.

Having been seen around The AUD by teammates and staff throughout this season, Negrin couldn't have been picked out of a line-up by most Utica fans. There's a very good reason why - concussion. Working himself back into game shape, both mentally and physically can be a challenge, even for Negrin, who has dressed for eight professional teams since the 2008-09 season. Just as some experience opening night jitters, skating, finally, opposite the Amerks and Marlies was emotional for Negrin.

"I felt great," Negrin says. "It's been a crazy season with injuries."

What kept Negrin from getting his first regular-season shifts as a Comet is traced back to a pre-season game he participated in with the Vancouver Canucks. It was at that time a hit occurred in which Negrin was on the receiving end of a concussion. "The headaches were sticking around. It (the hit) was like whiplash to my neck," Negrin, 24, said.

Just as the periods of loneliness and separation from the team at times were battled by Negrin. On the flip side, he remembers in great detail his being cleared to play. With "a couple" defensemen, as Negrin recalls, injured the weekend of the Rochester and Toronto games, he received medical clearance on Saturday at noon.

"I was told that I was good to go, "Negrin, who was coached in juniors by former Ottawa Senators coach Cory Clouston and Mike Keenan during his three games as a Flame, explains. "It had been a long time on and off the ice alone."

During his rehabbing, Negrin would be at The AUD by 9am. He would work with the team's fitness coach. Often, Negrin would skate by himself while the team was on the road. If there were other Comets left behind due to injuries, Negrin's at times boring routine would take a turn for the better, and he would have company while skating. Music, one of Negrin's hobbies, also allowed him to pass time, while providing an escape from not being able to play hockey.

Negrin tells of finding "some spots" in the City of Utica where he has been able to quench his music fix. He speaks highly of Utica and feels comfortable getting around on his own.

Patience seems to be a virtue Negrin has mastered since becoming a pro. At 24-years old, Negrin has learned to travel, and frequently. "Looking back at when I was 19, I was fortunate to get an opportunity to experience the NHL. Mentally, I wasn't mature then for the NHL," Negrin reminiscences. "I've traveled a bumpy road in hockey. Since I've been in the AHL, I've had five injuries. They (injuries) hold you back."

There's no hesitation with Negrin as he reflects on his journey in hockey. He admits that he has grown as a person since turning pro after his final WHL season with the Swift Current Broncos. Having come a long way, individually, as a kid loving hockey growing up in the shadows of Vancouver, Negrin is excited to finally be healthy.

What was it like to be a 19-year old and suddenly playing in Calgary for a legendary coach as Mike Keenan? "He (Mike) was good to me. I came there when Calgary was fighting for fourth place in the conference,"Negrin states. "Mike was their for the motivational part of it, while the assistant coaches worked on the systems."

As for being coached by Cory Clouston, Negrin has nothing but praise for his former juniors coach with the Kootenay Ice. "Cory was my first coach with the Ice when I was 16-years old. He is very structured and demands hard work. He prepares you to be a pro."

Then, there is current Lake Erie Monsters coach Dean Chynoweth who had a hand in shaping Negrin's career. "When I was 19 I was traded to the Swift Current. I was an established player by then, and Dean (Swift Current coach Chynoweth) let me play my game. He's really a nice guy; a player's coach."

Of the five AHL cities (Abbotsford, St. John's, Chicago, Lake Erie and Utica) Negrin has skated for, he tells of many similarities between Utica and St. John's (Newfoundland). "St. John's is a cool place. I played their for two and a half seasons. But, the travel schedule is terrible. It's a fun place to be. They have a unique culture. So much there reminds me of Utica. The people are really grounded. I fit in nicely there and here (Utica)," Negrin explains.

Suiting up for the Abbotsford Heat in Western Canada, the situation couldn't have worked out better for Negrin. Although, as what he experienced with the IceCaps in the Canadian Maritimes, Abbotsford lived on the road for long periods of time, too. But, there was one particular caveat that Negrin capitalized on - opportunities to see his family.

"The travel time was the toughest part about playing there. Jumping to airports takes a toll on your body. We would be on the road for a couple weeks at a time," Negrin confesses.

However, living just 45 minutes from his childhood home in the Vancouver area, John tells of heading back for home cooked meals. This is when Negrin begins to open up about how fortunate he feels to play for Utica, Vancouver's affiliate. It would be a dream come true for Negrin to play for his "home team". As he continues dreaming of wearing a Canucks uniform one day, Negrin feels special to be in Utica.

With the potential of running up his games played total by the weekend's conclusion, John Negrin is probably the most anxious amongst the Comets roster for the following Wednesday to arrive - when San Antonio comes to Utica. There is time to make up, and this defenseman has the sharpest skates.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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