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18 Sports Oakville Beaver SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 432) Fax 905-337-5571 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com · THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2010 Hisey focused on taking shot at NHL dream F on the bus when my agent said `You might be getting the call to go up to Springfield today'. They had our years, thousands of to find an airport and a flight from miles and seven leagues Rio Grande Valley," Hisey said. removed from starring in the "As soon as I got to Rio Grande, Ontario Hockey League, Rob Hisey I caught a flight to Springfield, got is finally one step away from his in at 1 a.m. and played later that NHL dream. night." The 25-year-old Oakville native, If the quick turnaround wasn't who spent the past four seasons enough, Hisey's equipment was playing in a variety of European lost during the flight to Springfield. leagues before returning to play in The Falcons scrounged up some North America this year, recently equipment and searched all over signed a 25-game town for some size Professional Tryout "A lot of doors 6.5 skates so Hisey Agreement (PTO) could open if I could participate in with the American the morning practice. Hockey League's keep doing as well Fortunately, his as I'm doing." Springfield Falcons. equipment showed Through four up later that aftergames with Rob Hisey noon, a few hours Springfield, the top before his first AHL farm team of the Edmonton Oilers, game against the Providence Hisey has scored three goals and Bruins. added an assist. It's been enough to It didn't faze him that night. get him thinking realistically again Hisey scored the Falcons' first goal about playing in the NHL. of the contest and added an assist "Being in Europe for four years, in a 3-2 overtime loss, and was I didn't really think about the NHL. named the game's second star. I just thought about playing and Never drafted by NHL team making a living for myself," said Hisey. "Now that I'm here and with Despite being ranked as high as the success I've had so far in my 21st among North American first couple games, it's never too skaters in 2003, Hisey wasn't late. It's always a possibility. selected in that year's NHL Entry "A lot of doors could open if I Draft as scouts seemed disinterestkeep doing as well as I'm doing. ed in his 5-foot-8, 170-pound Now that I'm here and this close, frame. He was invited to attend the it's something that I want to Dallas Stars' training camp that accomplish." fall, where the Stars suggested he should consider playing in Europe Tried out for Pens' farm team to develop his game. Hisey decided to stay in North After a couple more years in the America last fall, beginning the OHL with Erie Otters and Barrie year with a tryout with the AHL's Colts, Hisey headed overseas to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins play with the Assat Pori in Finland. PHOTO COURTESY OF JIM SYNER / SPRINGFIELD FALCONS -- the affiliate of the defending That was followed up by stints with Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Germany's Hannover Scorpions Rob Hisey follows the puck during his recent American Hockey League debut with the Springfield Falcons. Hisey, who had Penguins. and Hannover Indians, Austria's a goal and an assist in his first game with the Falcons, played four years in Europe before choosing to stay in North America After failing to catch on with Graz 99ers and Sweden's Mora IK. this season. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Hisey During his time in Europe, Hisey joined the Central Hockey League's recorded 128 points in 179 regular"I made some good money over "I think it's helped me a lot. I've down on obstruction fouls has Tulsa Oilers. Hisey led the CHL in season games. there. For sure, it was for an income. grown up maturity-wise on the ice. Hisey optimistic that one team will. goals (19) and was fourth in points Hisey admits playing in Europe Hockey's my job. That's what I do for Since the last time I played over "When there was more clutching (41) through 24 games when he didn't get him much exposure to a living," said Hisey. "I got to play in here in junior, every player I've and grabbing, the bigger guy always got the call from Springfield. North American scouts (although a some good leagues against really played with, every team, every got the first look," said Hisey, who is "It was pretty crazy. I was on the couple of his moves earned him good players (including 2009 sec- league, every coach has helped." still free to go to any NHL organizaroad with the team in Tulsa, down worldwide notoriety on YouTube) ond-overall draft pick Victor Now he hopes that an NHL team tion as long as he is only on a PTO. in Laredo, and we'd just played a and hurt his chances of making the Hedman and Toronto Maple Leafs will take some interest in an under- "It's changed a lot. Now, if you can game. We were on the bus at 6:30 AHL any earlier. But he has no goaltender Jonas Gustavsson), and it sized forward that simply puts up skate and have skill, you'll get a in the morning and I was sleeping regrets. only made me better. points. And the NHL's recent crack- look." BEAVER SPORTS EDITOR By Jon Kuiperij