McCoshen excited for All American Prospects Game

Ian McCoshen will be entering his third season with the Waterloo Black Hawks in the United States Hockey League in 2012-13. The 6-foot-2 1/2, 207-pound defenseman, regarded as an 'A List' prospect by NHL Central Scouting entering the 2012-13 season, has produced eight goals and 26 points in 97 career games in the USHL. McCoshen, who will take part in the All American Prospects Game in Buffalo on Sept. 29, has agreed to take the time and maintain a blog for NHL.com all season long leading up to the 2013 NHL Draft.

Hello everyone. My name is Ian McCoshen, and I play for the Waterloo Black Hawks in the United States Hockey League. This will be my third year with the Black Hawks.

I am tremendously excited for the season to start back up again. We have a talented group of guys this year, but we need to work all the time in order to really utilize the skill we have.

Overall, all of the boys are pretty excited to start up as well.

Our trip to Russia to participate in the Junior Club World Cup last month was an unbelievable experience for our team and myself. Systematically, we progressed each game throughout the tournament. I believe, if you ask any guy on the team, they would all say that our time in Omsk and Moscow was the best training camp we could have asked for. We collectively bonded as a team far earlier in the season than usual, which I believe, gives us an edge to begin our USHL season.

This year, for our team and for me, the main goal is to return to the Clark Cup finals and come back to Waterloo with a little better feeling then we did last year. Personally, I want to improve in all facets of my game. My focus points are improving the offensive side of my game by shooting the puck more often and showing poise at the point on the power play. Elevating my defensive consistency and physicality in our own end by outworking the opponent during both even and odd strength situations will also help my all-around development.

Every new season brings a sense of optimism. We have a bright, young, and extremely talented group of new players in addition to our core group of returners. With this comes the opportunity to improve on my leadership qualities, both on and off the ice. I believe our challenge, as a group, is to push each other every day to become better than we were the day before. I feel it is crucial that we develop a sense of cohesion on the ice and buy into the ideas that make up the framework of our team.

Since I started playing hockey, it has been a dream to possibly have the opportunity to be drafted and play in the National Hockey League. This will be a very exciting year and one, I believe, that will have a lasting and memorable impact on my hockey career.

My favorite NHL team would have to be the Detroit Red Wings. Growing up, they have always been an excellent team and watching a lot of great defenseman play for the red and white it is not a bad reason to be a Wings' fan. But, in saying that, my favorite player is Shea Weber of the Nashville Predators. He is a dominant player, as well as a great leader and a force to be reckoned with considering the rocket of a shot he has from the point! I pride myself in trying to become what Shea has been -- a great example of a defenseman who can utilize his shot while being a leader and dominant player.

On Sept. 29, the USA Hockey All-American Prospects game will be held in Buffalo, New York. This game is another great way to showcase individual talent in front of a lot of fans and scouts. Having three teammates [goalies Eamon McAdam and Cal Petersen, forward Taylor Cammarata], attending this game is a tremendous honor and reflects on the success of the Waterloo Black Hawks organization in identifying and developing top-end players. I am very excited to play against the top prospects in the nation.

I would like to thank NHL.com for giving me the opportunity to represent the USHL, and the Waterloo Black Hawks.

Follow Ian McCoshen on Twitter at: @ijmccoshen3