(above) J.D. Corbin hopes to make the Colorado Avalanche's AHL affiliate this seasonFrom: NHL.com
by Brian Compton
DU Alum J.D. Corbin was back in Colorado earlier this summer, but not to visit his family.
Left winger Corbin was born just outside of Denver and spent quite a few years near home before beginning his professional career. The 23-year-old was selected in the eighth round (No. 249) of the 2004 Entry Draft by the Colorado Avalanche.
Corbin was participating in the Avalanche’s Development Camp, which was held from July 9-16 at the Family Sports Center in Centennial, Colo. While plenty of time was spent by the players on the ice honing their skills, the main focus was to get guys like Corbin on the right path in terms of conditioning.
“They push us at the very beginning,” Corbin said. “They want us to learn. It’s not so much like a tryout week. They want to bring us in here and kind of start developing players at a young age. The big thing that I’ve learned is the off-ice stuff and what it takes to get to the next level and how to work out properly.”
Corbin appeared in 42 games for Lake Erie (AHL) in 2007-08, notching 3 goals and 6 assists. He had 9 points in 16 games for Johnstown (ECHL).
“I thought it was a pretty good season as far as getting my feet and learning what the game’s like and kind of adapting to the pro game,” Corbin said. “It’s sort of different from the college game. Getting used to that was a big part of last year. It was a good year for me personally. It was good to play down there.”
While most used college as an excuse to get away from home, Corbin stayed close with a four-year run at the University of Denver. His best season came in his junior year (2005-06), when he had 20 points (5 goals, 15 assists) in 38 games.
“Every year, you want to get better and shoot for the next level. That’s a goal of mine next year.” said Corbin
Corbin arrived in Denver after spending two seasons with the U.S. National Under-18 Team, when he spent a lot of time away from home. That all changed once he joined the college ranks.
“Everything fit,” Corbin responded when asked about his decision to stay close to home. “It’s a great program, great facility, it’s a great city. The coaches there are great. It was just a good fit for me. I played away from home for three years before that, so it was nice to come back home and play in front of my family.”
He’ll get to spend some more time at home before training camp opens in September, but once Tony Granato begins his second stint as Avalanche coach, it will be all business for Corbin. He is hopeful he can land a full-time job with Lake Erie this season.
“That’s what I’m hoping for,” Corbin said. “Every year, you want to get better and shoot for the next level. That’s a goal of mine next year.”
Left winger Corbin was born just outside of Denver and spent quite a few years near home before beginning his professional career. The 23-year-old was selected in the eighth round (No. 249) of the 2004 Entry Draft by the Colorado Avalanche.
Corbin was participating in the Avalanche’s Development Camp, which was held from July 9-16 at the Family Sports Center in Centennial, Colo. While plenty of time was spent by the players on the ice honing their skills, the main focus was to get guys like Corbin on the right path in terms of conditioning.
“They push us at the very beginning,” Corbin said. “They want us to learn. It’s not so much like a tryout week. They want to bring us in here and kind of start developing players at a young age. The big thing that I’ve learned is the off-ice stuff and what it takes to get to the next level and how to work out properly.”
Corbin appeared in 42 games for Lake Erie (AHL) in 2007-08, notching 3 goals and 6 assists. He had 9 points in 16 games for Johnstown (ECHL).
“I thought it was a pretty good season as far as getting my feet and learning what the game’s like and kind of adapting to the pro game,” Corbin said. “It’s sort of different from the college game. Getting used to that was a big part of last year. It was a good year for me personally. It was good to play down there.”
While most used college as an excuse to get away from home, Corbin stayed close with a four-year run at the University of Denver. His best season came in his junior year (2005-06), when he had 20 points (5 goals, 15 assists) in 38 games.
“Every year, you want to get better and shoot for the next level. That’s a goal of mine next year.” said Corbin
Corbin arrived in Denver after spending two seasons with the U.S. National Under-18 Team, when he spent a lot of time away from home. That all changed once he joined the college ranks.
“Everything fit,” Corbin responded when asked about his decision to stay close to home. “It’s a great program, great facility, it’s a great city. The coaches there are great. It was just a good fit for me. I played away from home for three years before that, so it was nice to come back home and play in front of my family.”
He’ll get to spend some more time at home before training camp opens in September, but once Tony Granato begins his second stint as Avalanche coach, it will be all business for Corbin. He is hopeful he can land a full-time job with Lake Erie this season.
“That’s what I’m hoping for,” Corbin said. “Every year, you want to get better and shoot for the next level. That’s a goal of mine next year.”
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