Malone ready to go at All-American Prospects Game

Left wing Seamus Malone is in his second season with the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the United States Hockey League. The 5-foot-10, 165-pound left-handed shot, who was born in Naperville, Ill., is a "B" rated skater on NHL Central Scouting's preliminary players to watch list from the USHL. Regarded as a skilled forward, Malone had six goals, 27 points and a plus-12 rating in 50 games for the Fighting Saints in 2012-13. Committed to the University of Wisconsin in the fall of 2015, Malone has offered to maintain a blog during his stay in Pittsburgh for the CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game at Consol Energy Center on Sept. 26.

Hi fans!

I just finished my morning skate in preparation for tonight's All-American Prospects Game and had a blast.

We ate dinner at the rink [on Wednesday] with the coaches and staff involved and even got to tour one of the locker rooms here at Consol Energy Center. It was totally awesome. For dinner, I had some pasta, chicken and some salad. That's my usual standard meal on the day before a game.

I thought practice was great. There are a lot of good players in one spot at this game; the coaches are highly experienced and know what they are doing and it's been a lot of fun. I'll be skating with Ryan MacInnis and Blake Clarke in the game and am looking forward to that since I've played with both players at some point.

I skated with Ryan on the National Team Development Program in Finland last year, and was with Blake on a summer team two years ago. I love playing with both of those guys, so I think it'll feel comfortable for all.

I was happy to learn that I received a "B" rating on NHL Central Scouting's preliminary players to watch list entering the season in the United States Hockey League. Obviously I want to get better, but I'm worried about making myself better and not so much about a ranking.

I know coach Mark Johnson is a University of Wisconsin alumnus and because I will be attending Wisconsin in 2015, I do plan on introducing myself at some point. I haven't been able to meet him yet, though. I fell in love with the campus the moment I got there. I was impressed by the locker rooms, the coaches, and it doesn't hurt that it's also close to home.

I'll file another blog later tonight after the game. Thanks for reading.