McCoshen appreciative of Combine experience

Ian McCoshen, No. 24 in NHL Central Scouting's final ranking of the top draft-eligible North American skaters, completed his third season with the Waterloo Black Hawks of the United States Hockey League. The 6-foot-2.5, 207-pound defenseman had 11 goals, 44 points and a plus-35 rating in 53 games this season. Boston College-bound, McCoshen has agreed to submit his thoughts during the 2013 Scouting Combine in Toronto this week.

TORONTO -- Last night I just kind of laid low and watched some TV. I went to bed pretty early because I thought my rest was pretty crucial today. I knew the fitness testing today was going to be tough.

My alarm went off at 8:30 a.m., and then I sat in my room for an hour trying to figure out if I should have breakfast. Should I eat? Should I not eat? But I did go eat. I had an omelet and toast, which is lighter than normal.

I got the building for the testing and did medical testing first. I sat in line and waited for them to take pictures of my body, and then I waited to see the doctors. Then it was a heart test and a vision test, and then they test your hand/eye coordination.

Then I walked into the actual testing room, and all I could think of was, "Oh man, there's a lot of people watching." You just want to compete at all the different tests and do your best. I kind of prepared for the last three weeks, so none of the tests was too out of the ordinary. But they didn't tell me my results on anything - I was looking forward to that.

The bike tests are what everyone talks about. I experimented with them a little bit, but I'm not sure I did it the same way they do at the Combine. They duct taped my feet to the pedals and that's when you realize this is the real deal and you've got to bear down here.

During the medical tests you could hear the trainers yelling, "Faster! Faster!" It's strange when they're doing it right in your face, but you just pretty much have to push yourself.

After the bikes you go right to the psych test. You just have to get your head straight before you start them, snap your neck a few times, and then you're OK.

All in all, the time up here was phenomenal. I can't thank the NHL enough for this opportunity.

Next for me is a trip home and then I'll visit a couple teams for meetings. Then it's the off to New Jersey for the draft.

Thanks for following along.

Follow Ian McCoshen on Twitter at: @ijmccoshen3