Don Sweeney, Director of Hockey Operations & Player Development

" As we mentioned the top of the shell the Boston Bruins are 51 and one in their last seven games. There coming up a weekend that included wins in Toronto Saturday night in Philadelphia last night. And as they wind down the regular season and get ready for the playoffs we thought we talked about. Some of the developing and very good young players in the organization. Joining us on the AT&T hotline eighteen T your world delivered. Is the director of hockey operations and player development for the Boston Bruins former Boston Bruins defenseman Don Sweeney hey Don how aria. -- a real old guy get talked to a young guys. At -- I believe it isn't there are going to a level guys that that -- my young guys can I gotta tell you Donnie. The more I see you guys like crate she in Wheeler and -- teach. I gotta say this organization is due at the right way right now."

" Well obviously it would benefit to -- mean and some guys it's really good selections. Prior to receiving getting here in. It was Peter take it over and I think that. Scott Gordon Robby did really really good job with would even in particular. It down province. It's a good year and a -- And and our coaches staff here is has really carried out over and you're fortunate to to -- player of public wheelers talent and stature to work group in. And I he's probably got everybody off guard a little bit by coming in making training camp they can often difficult to in particular our lineup. -- most are not real."

" I've asked Peter about this and I'm curious to hear your take -- you talked about a guy like David crate she spent a year going to happen Providence and how that aided in his NHL development. But there is kind of a fine line a guy like took a Rask for instance probably wouldn't benefit from another year at the American Hockey League level I would think."

" Well I mean it'll be goaltender it might be unique that's standpoint the seat and you know certainly they're there. I think it takes longer than -- actually it's strident. And see this excess water tenders. Having in the later stages of their thirties and such that and playable games and in the strength that. And you know getting accustomed to the size of players he's going to see over here in his recently basis I think he can benefit. You know you are planned all along instantly -- for for two critical over -- command of first year -- a lot play a lot more than next year and and and play a ton this year any channel all of that stuff. You know we -- seem a little deeper I think in the playoffs last year. Honestly estimates that he was used as pointed in the second answers that it was that was able to to complete that task com. But this year you know what they're really really young -- down Providence. -- shoulders albeit you know. To really take care of that team. And it's aimed at understanding what ambien nightly basis. That its top is teams that club to. A chance to win every night to end and he kept its engine and it would open up the most."

" Eight Dodd and Joe Hagerty from them yet to come here. Michael not a not yes not only Avis and that's the hardest work -- manage showbiz thereabouts and apparently. -- far -- is concerned what was the organizational take on that that emotional outburst explosion that we saw last week there after a game and during the game."

" By the united sit up like games unfortunate and you know lies. I'd be in. Strictly promotional standpoint I think you're allowed to see your players care for sport means -- it'll some crackling though most guys -- But you know he was rightly so he's pretty upset yankees -- his interpretation of that a position local. You know was correct in our opinion that he should have been allowed. Is -- the other goal was not correct and it was just -- matter still. -- and after the first one. In bailout. Yeah I mean can you talk to -- still young -- talk about and they're going to have those well at those the most well versed. But you know fortunate that the league can. -- kitten and realize circumstances may dictated. But shouldn't there a tool that checked -- or."

" What was the best Don Sweeney emotional outburst and have an EF flying milk crates or anything like that during that clinker."

" Known him in and -- blended together plane nights where I was happy and blockers such endorsements he's at. The ups and downs in finished that last one you're captured in. Well what do differently to be around dale and you and the losses they analyze all that well."

" Well and in fact the I think the key to this organization is finding a whole bunch a guys just like that. Finding guys who don't handle losses well finding guys. For whom winning is the top priority. Tell me about the organizational philosophy and in the type of person your drafting not but not these skills and abilities but the type of person your trying to add to this organization."

" Well I think he's done a really good job of that you know to identify the type of player that. -- He tried to apple loops or not be as reactionary to go around and realize in the and we weren't at his direction Indonesian. He made some changes. Quote is certainly. Taken at -- Peter has it and implement a daily basis and I think that's really where it starts you know work ethic. Expectations from day one. What our players knew coming in its own clothes was that was put in charge here. Now -- Carry over to development camp environment for our younger players. I think I certainly have that it. Understanding cancer -- that there's any. And get a -- champion and and our scouts you know everybody in -- around and we talk about these things. I think that the statement on the table is what is that it be abolished brown well what players we want to see it wear an uniform. -- are all on that direction I think. Easier for everybody's -- gravitate towards you can't. He can't look past skills some players and in -- and you have to implore them to plane ticket away and I think that march America's great indication that. -- council's another young player that you know publicly he's not -- a bit you know that it may have helped question in the playoffs is an odd couple. I don't blame at him but he developed an edge in those situations and but deep down -- did announced we believe that and it was -- in the decision was made for all the right reasons marking benefit from it he -- economic impact that experience but. You know march artists -- in the -- in the game. -- off as a player with great instincts and but now he's played all situations and in I think he benefits and had just -- playoff games which four and you connect teams challenging for certainly first Eastern Conference. -- one of the top teams. All season long. And even the last little bit. We went through really rough stretch after having tremendous you know start this season. Our players weren't happy when accepting it you know we at a -- but he looks sentences as okay don't just let it -- off our back and you took this time off that we -- and really went back to work back to grassroots stuff that that we -- going to be successful with them nightly basis and and again that's actually -- in many it. Peter in. Picture that you know of potassium and are there. Everybody's accountable."

" Let's talk about one of the real success stories of the player development system here and that's. David Craig -- this is the guy who was a second round draft pick back in 2000 or this wasn't. A top five -- or anything applicant here right now he's got 69 points in 75 games. And I know sometimes this statistic is overplayed but we knew that a kid this age who is eight plus 36. On the season. Is it safe to say maybe he has surprised you guys a little bit I know Wheeler has surprised -- has -- she surprised a little bit."

" Well probably -- mean I think all of our our younger players. Really accelerated the overall. If you window here. I think what impressed you most David. After the first unit not a -- down Providence in coming in nobody talked about his skills that nobody talked about his vision and you know being able to make it can big plays make other people around him better ones in Hartford really challenged him physically. And aid they really can they can -- are they knew it was real catalyst -- simply just he played all situations. He really really smart player I think. His biggest adjustment. In all honesty was was knowing what he's yet to play the ability to slow -- now he needs to -- ticket back up and I think he just needed to. You know it's do that the NHL level last year -- member in Korea agree training camp and often okay start that had real -- and went back down to the province for a little refresher course and it took part. And -- he has looked back since then and obviously. He's a great player emerging is India really good player in the absence of trees Bergeron. Stepped in to. It'll be even bigger role. Now resettlement that are genes that much deeper in -- can't focus on any one player in particular night expensive as well but -- Eight players and has it center -- players around him better. And that's really to me. In the education outsmart the players you write in a lot of that --"

" When you look up and down the Bruins roster right now on this team how it's comprised. Is David preaching the best example of -- your player development system that you eventful implement in the organization when it goes right and and kind of a guy that you want to put up in the forefront as is the way you're doing things with the Boston Bruins. "

" Well I mean obviously he's like -- Scotty Gordon Roddick is minister out with him. And problems in this situation rest of us have you tried to help you know indicates things that -- as games and -- is that even last year. You know it's tester -- the ones -- anyone about. The players can help them. Prepared at another player that. You know has gone down human ecology a little more virtual or but you don't need to understand the game of the better. You know using just -- and adapting physically I think he he made that -- to -- the -- you know. The way we we panel in an organization has been good you know we didn't really. Kind of -- in the NHL. You know platform. But you know we didn't throw many rolled up and -- the lineup and I'll explain to answer these spent a lot of time with him but our coach it'll. Really well be returned to do it individual marched through which another guy that you know intent -- colleges. Or from. Pickett everybody you know -- point -- those players as you know guys that step rated in the top four. Defenseman no role -- National Hockey League in smaller anchor Steve. NHL not easy place to play catch -- keep. Certainly players can do it make you adaptation but. He's gunned down its major troubled rehab that -- is really really good player for us as well import. Player -- it is that and you are great on the list each and every guy and Howard tried to do it. And in tobacco and other ones that. You know come up and more energy role -- but you gotta watch province -- plays -- situation there and you know this is this really played well. And is real important player parts and peers in other guys it's committed. And and and done and not be able to play in the in each a lot of that's because the depth issues -- we were doing the same thing with -- on -- let. And you know you look at -- and -- Mr. examples of the other side of that that you know. If all we all NHL players. But with the acceleration so over other players. And we looked at and said we need to let -- plants are plaintiffs they are records and -- his table and definitely have to give up good things to get these things that's exactly what played out there."

" We'll take that one step further and and now in your present position you probably even have a greater appreciation for how hard ideas. To look at an eighteen year old kid. And try to project how he's going to be as say twenty to 23 year old young man."

" Well bill to be honest with you. I played and I was dealt and went off played the organization finish my career but looking back on it. Position I'm in now is probably the best thing ever happened. Down there and spent time with -- was younger players and -- organization and as I mentioned watch them it'll come up and down in trying to adjust to playing in rooming with one of them. And you know actually and -- you know a lot way to compete for the same changeup and mr. of that speech in my career I felt like you want. And not let them on any less dependent did want to play but I was and there's -- help here. And -- situation again to be able to look at players that listen in a perfect world you all play for the Austin. And where that the company trying to help you giving Hank and he -- In realistic world that's not gonna be -- job to get an actual. You know I don't care what you thought he -- finally be able -- national. Some got -- and -- some -- look at it he's not as low point and inevitably checkered or penalty killer on the camps. And I told him one of the guys -- You can tell me go screw if you want to of the toll -- let's play people up or down the road by -- and doesn't politics."

" Some of them warrior defense partners."

" Exactly. And plenty of more coaches that you don't cut. The bottom line was. -- it is for me I just want trying to help these guys you know. Became as Indonesia had a chance to get -- in the nation's most awhile and even -- when -- practice because I want to know like. Kidnapped topic be critical by other plane became hasn't gotten easier said. You know we don't make any mistakes that not there you don't mean that the best part jumps sit out there that'll make it more mistakes but. You know for the most part we're just all trying to help organization grow continue to develop players that that can helplessly."

" What are some things that when you were playing that you either side development wise for NHL players going through the miners to get to level. Either you really like to be really wanted to change and you've tried to kind of implement in your position now the Bruins."

" I think one of the single biggest thing education you know I watched it and I -- shuttle -- up and down once belonged to televise ninety. You know wondered -- what is going to take or it and not let alone with coaches. You know. You have to understand date they live in the moment in terms of somebody -- or something else may become -- I gotta I gotta make sure there's player interest and systems things in. Deal and the guy ruled down Providence and were mean it's time. And the other jobs and H a lineup is still wonder. A lot of times I've been able to restock and coaches hear the talk to -- to their top player and find needy you know couple things in specifics that they can they can. Take ownership of work on -- on the cap so they can back up that -- with the expectation is. What they may or may not it's sometimes circumstance and -- to matter on player was comin' back off the injured list and and you know what until -- dangers of speaking in you have to -- that tests in patients that doesn't mean you stop work yet. Think -- to to do to to make it -- continued push forward I think that's probably been the single biggest thing that helped me on the latest when I watch sometimes players. When I was playing them to the -- they -- their -- back out. You know that's tough thing to -- coming back. To back."

" Finally before we let you go I've I wasn't thrilled watching the team give up five in Toronto I wasn't thrilled with the shots on goal. Last night in Philadelphia but are you seeing signs 51 and one in the last seven that this team this has turned the corner and is beginning. Tip to beat the playoff team you want as as you head in April."

" I was certain note -- thanks -- game against majors he spoke audience are hockey club and action if -- really and emotion came back and hurricane that's one of the single biggest thing I was the import the have play with the most and we played you know. The majority this. In yesterday's game aspect came in had a lot of that playoff atmosphere an element to I think our guys you know physical environment on the road in don't back down. Any situation. And yet we should be played. With the pot we made better plays offensively we've force attack ostensibly we action teams off make -- team they decisions -- that we -- the place ought to inspect a lot more time and her own and in previous. Shot totals sometimes currently honestly for a hockey club. Albeit that's need to -- makes five on three art -- you know this is ridiculous but. -- accomplish much of Mary's that the -- should be able to handle making expectancy that art or art club relies. We're not giving up all -- Some of the games in Pittsburgh to take you up to slot schools. Areas that we don't really give up there we don't give a lot of outnumbered Russians are -- ridiculously good job of providing back pressured opener and which -- in in this in this game nowadays with a lack of obstruction hooking things that world is when people. But but the single biggest thing is I think our teams -- on emotional standpoint. And in getting back level that we need to have for us to expect."

" I've missed talking hockey would you the last couple years it's good catch up again."

" That's good to them I know you're still -- reporters. You know it's actually back the radar screen near Boston as a spring approaches. You know that that were not other people are are keyed in on us."

" Donnie thanks for the time operation. Can take care that is that Don Sweeney director of hockey operations and player development for the Boston Bruins. Joining us on the eighteenth -- hotline eighteenth he. You or world delivered I will totally agree that."