FUTURE WATCH | Kyle Platzer

For 24 games, they remained undefeated until falling just one victory short of the all-time consecutive win record set by the Kitchener Rangers in 1984. On that London team was a rookie by the name of Kyle Platzer.
“It was something pretty special, that doesn’t happen often, so for me to be a part of it was pretty cool,” Platzer said. “It was a good experience and it taught me how to win.

That’s an invaluable and intangible skill every player who makes it to the next level needs to possess – knowing how to win.

Platzer’s time in London shaped the expectations that he has for himself and, although the he was expecting to continue learning under head coach Mark Hunter and childhood friend and teammate Bo Horvat, the reality of professional sports set in shortly after.

39 games and 17 points into his sophomore season, Platzer was dealt to the Owen Sound Attack along with defenceman Santino Centorame.

“It was weird at first,” Platzer admitted. “I had never been traded so it was a learning experience for me. It was good to come over with Santino. That made the transition a lot smoother. I definitely think it (the trade) benefitted me a ton.”

Once you’re out of your comfort zone, it truly is a sink or swim moment. Faced with the task of logging twice as many minutes and being held more accountable in Owen Sound than he ever was on a deep Knights roster, Platzer thrived in his new surroundings.

The change in role didn’t come without growing pains, but being staunch for his team was key for the 19-year-old.

“Consistency (is important),” he said. “You can’t take games or shifts off at the next level, which was definitely something that I needed to learn. Also, defensive zone coverage was something that I didn’t have to worry about in London because I didn’t play too much, but coming here I was relied on in key situations.”

After a brush with the business side and then being thrust into a bigger role with Owen Sound, Platzer really turned a

Photo by Getty Images

corner over the summer and embraced what it means to be an athlete - No days off. Committing to a revamped workout plan and ditching the unhealthy eating habits, the forward successfully loaded on 20lbs of muscle.

“Some people need to work on their skill,” Platzer said. “My needs were definitely that physical maturity. I added some mobility to my workouts so I wasn’t just a big guy that couldn’t move. When you put on that much weight you still want to keep your speed.”

Leading the Attack in points so far this season, with six goals and 14 assists in 15 games, Plazter’s dedication seems to have paid off.

So, where are we now? Adding dimension to his game: check. Maturing as a person as well as a player: check. Making a conscious effort to have a professional work ethic: check. What’s missing, besides all of the fast food from his diet?

“It sucks right now because everyone’s got full beard and I’m 19-years-old and still don’t have anything.”

But in all seriousness, the self-proclaimed “late bloomer” says genetics play a role in his stature and baby face. But like his father, it will only be a matter of time before everything aligns.

“I still have at least a year or two until I’m a man, but I feel like if I focus on playing the right way and playing like a pro, my physical maturity will just take me to that next step. “

Selected in the fourth round of the 2013 NHL Draft by the Edmonton Oilers, Plazter is benefitting from the development steps the organization has engaged him in.

“Every few weeks we have to fill out an evaluation on ourselves and work on things that we talked about at camp,” Platzer said. “I think that’s a huge thing. You don’t want to go into your season blind, not knowing what you have to work on. It’s good to have a plan, to stick to it every day and monitor your progress.”

The formula is simple: consistency, professionalism, maturity and dedication. Those are all things that Platzer has embraced in Owen Sound.

“I’ve grown more as a player and a person here (in half a season), than I have in the last three years combined.”