McCollum making the most of his opportunity

This past season Thomas McCollum registered 25 wins, a 2.50 GAA and .914 save percentage, earning him NHL Central Scouting's top ranking among North American goalies heading into the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

"When I went up there I figured I would be the backup for most of my first year and then hopefully take over in time for playoffs and then be the starter from there," said McCollum. "I took over the starting job in about a month and a half. I certainly did not expect to go there and play 55 games my first year there, but it's a pleasant surprise, and it's gotten me here. It's been a really great experience and I'm glad I made the decision."

That decision meant moving about two hours northwest, into another country, and away from his friends and family. It also meant surrendering his college eligibility. Education is a priority in the McCollum household, and wherever he was going to play hockey, school had to be part of the equation.

"They checked out the city of Guelph, they talked to (Storm coach/GM) Dave (Barr)," McCollum said of his parents. "They knew I'd be getting an education package, and once they found all that out, they told me it was entirely up to me and what was best for me and my career."

What was best was joining the OHL team. And his education certainly didn't suffer, as McCollum earned this season's Guelph Academic Player of the Year Award and was nominated for the OHL's Bobby Smith Trophy, given to the league's top scholastic performer.

McCollum isn't the only American to take his hockey career north of the border, and he believes more should follow his lead.

"I don't know why more people don't try it," he said. "Each situation is different for every person, but I think it's the way to go. You get to play a pro schedule, and your teachers help you out. If you're in a crunch for time with assignments, I haven't had any problems, the teachers work with you, they schedule around our schedule."

The decision certainly has paid off for McCollum.

"His No. 1 attribute is his net position, it's second to none," said Central Scouting's Al Jensen, a former NHL netminder. "There are rarely any holes and he has a great butterfly. When he is challenging and at the top of his game, he is very tough to beat.

"I really like him. He has the potential to be a franchise goalie."

Contact Adam Kimelman at [email protected].