Re: RPI Recruit Thread 2017-18 (Part II)
Junior hockey Digest article about KH from early this season http://jrhockeydigest.com/2017/11/ky...fensive-corps/
Junior hockey Digest article about KH from early this season http://jrhockeydigest.com/2017/11/ky...fensive-corps/
For an organization that builds around defense first, going into this season was an especially trying time for the Lone Star Brahmas. Every defenseman from their NAHL Robertson Cup Championship roster had moved on to the NCAA, USHL or professional ranks following the 2016/17 campaign leaving the coaching staff to start off with a clean slate.
One of the main cogs in the effort to rebuild the defense has been Kyle Hallbauer. Hallbauer was actually born in NYTEX Sports Centre’s backyard before moving to New Jersey at a young age and even learned to skate at the facility.
Starting with a completely new group of players who have never so much as skated together is never going to be an easy undertaking and this season was no exception. “Having no veterans on defense was definitely tough in the beginning of the year,” said Hallbauer. “No one knew each other and understanding the systems was tougher. Jumping onto a team with no returning D puts pressure on the older defensemen. We are expected to know the systems and help the younger players if they don’t understand something. As the season continues though, it keeps getting easier and easier as we are starting to build chemistry and have a feel for each other’s playing styles.”
Kyle Hallbauer has nine points this season including a big OT game winner against the Odessa Jackalopes.
Hallbauer spent last season gaining valuable Junior Hockey experience with the Kingston Voyageurs of the Ontario Junior Hockey League where he put up 44 points in 52 games on 15G-29A. He has already seen some big differences in the two leagues. “The NAHL is a lot more systematic and if you do not play within a system, then you will not be successful,” he explained. “The compete level is also higher and each team has a lot more depth. Also the physicality is higher and the players’ desire to play at the next level is higher.” All these differences have led to the veteran defenseman making some changes in how he approaches the game. “Some adjustments I had to make were increasing the level of defense and moving pucks just a little quicker.”
So why after a very successful season in the OJHL would the 5’ 11” – 190 pounder who calls Howell, NJ home come back to the states to play? The answer was simple. “The level of exposure to division 1 schools. With it being my final year, I needed to get the most out of every game and being in the NAHL definitely seemed like the right path.”
Knowing that a move to the NAHL was likely in his future, Hallbauer made a visit to Lone Star last season before signing a tender with the organization. However, it wasn’t just one thing that led him to North Richland Hills. “I knew I needed to improve my defensive ability and coach Wildfong is the best coach for that job. He has helped all the defense improve their game and it really shows,” he said. “Also, Lone Star has a great fan base and I enjoyed the energy that comes during the games at NYTEX.”
“My biggest influences have to be my parents both on and off the ice. They have sacrificed so much for me to be able to play hockey for all this time. They encourage me to be the best I can be and they can give me the extra push when I need it.” Hallbauer has taken those influences to heart and is more than willing to pass along what he has leaned. “The most challenging thing about playing junior hockey has to either be being away from home or the uncertainty of your future,” he said.
Having lived through those challenges and being separated from his family has given him a great perspective that younger players can take advantage of. “Never get too down on yourself,” is his number one piece of advice for players looking to move up through the junior ranks. “You can’t let you attitude affect the way you continue your play in the future. You have to keep working to get better every day and trust that your work ethic and hours of practice will elevate your game to the point where you can play at this level.”
Maybe one of the Lone Star’s biggest goals of the season to date came off the stick of Hallbauer as an overtime game winner on October 27 against the Odessa Jackalopes. The Brahmas had already played in three overtime contest coming up just short in each game. Add to that, they were in the midst of what would eventually be a six game win streak and the intrigue was thick.
“I poked the puck away from the guy on the rush and I knew if I got a good jump we could potentially have a 2 on 1,” Hallbauer recalled. “I just skated as hard as I could and pushed the puck to (Austin) Bottrell. He pretty much did the rest though as he gave me a perfect pass and I just slapped it in. When I realized I scored I was excited and relieved at the same time because that was our first overtime win out of 4 games I believe. I was just happy to get the win and be able to rest after.”
Hallbauer is currently fifth on the Brahmas’ roster in scoring and tops among defensemen. He has nine points on 2G-7A through 18 games played. “I believe I’ve played pretty well so far this year. As long as the team continues to get better each day I think that will make me better and as we continue learning and developing, we will win games.”
With the way the team has been coming together of late and the continued dominance of the defensive corps, the wins will continue to come and the Brahmas will continue to move up through the standings.
One of the main cogs in the effort to rebuild the defense has been Kyle Hallbauer. Hallbauer was actually born in NYTEX Sports Centre’s backyard before moving to New Jersey at a young age and even learned to skate at the facility.
Starting with a completely new group of players who have never so much as skated together is never going to be an easy undertaking and this season was no exception. “Having no veterans on defense was definitely tough in the beginning of the year,” said Hallbauer. “No one knew each other and understanding the systems was tougher. Jumping onto a team with no returning D puts pressure on the older defensemen. We are expected to know the systems and help the younger players if they don’t understand something. As the season continues though, it keeps getting easier and easier as we are starting to build chemistry and have a feel for each other’s playing styles.”
Kyle Hallbauer has nine points this season including a big OT game winner against the Odessa Jackalopes.
Hallbauer spent last season gaining valuable Junior Hockey experience with the Kingston Voyageurs of the Ontario Junior Hockey League where he put up 44 points in 52 games on 15G-29A. He has already seen some big differences in the two leagues. “The NAHL is a lot more systematic and if you do not play within a system, then you will not be successful,” he explained. “The compete level is also higher and each team has a lot more depth. Also the physicality is higher and the players’ desire to play at the next level is higher.” All these differences have led to the veteran defenseman making some changes in how he approaches the game. “Some adjustments I had to make were increasing the level of defense and moving pucks just a little quicker.”
So why after a very successful season in the OJHL would the 5’ 11” – 190 pounder who calls Howell, NJ home come back to the states to play? The answer was simple. “The level of exposure to division 1 schools. With it being my final year, I needed to get the most out of every game and being in the NAHL definitely seemed like the right path.”
Knowing that a move to the NAHL was likely in his future, Hallbauer made a visit to Lone Star last season before signing a tender with the organization. However, it wasn’t just one thing that led him to North Richland Hills. “I knew I needed to improve my defensive ability and coach Wildfong is the best coach for that job. He has helped all the defense improve their game and it really shows,” he said. “Also, Lone Star has a great fan base and I enjoyed the energy that comes during the games at NYTEX.”
“My biggest influences have to be my parents both on and off the ice. They have sacrificed so much for me to be able to play hockey for all this time. They encourage me to be the best I can be and they can give me the extra push when I need it.” Hallbauer has taken those influences to heart and is more than willing to pass along what he has leaned. “The most challenging thing about playing junior hockey has to either be being away from home or the uncertainty of your future,” he said.
Having lived through those challenges and being separated from his family has given him a great perspective that younger players can take advantage of. “Never get too down on yourself,” is his number one piece of advice for players looking to move up through the junior ranks. “You can’t let you attitude affect the way you continue your play in the future. You have to keep working to get better every day and trust that your work ethic and hours of practice will elevate your game to the point where you can play at this level.”
Maybe one of the Lone Star’s biggest goals of the season to date came off the stick of Hallbauer as an overtime game winner on October 27 against the Odessa Jackalopes. The Brahmas had already played in three overtime contest coming up just short in each game. Add to that, they were in the midst of what would eventually be a six game win streak and the intrigue was thick.
“I poked the puck away from the guy on the rush and I knew if I got a good jump we could potentially have a 2 on 1,” Hallbauer recalled. “I just skated as hard as I could and pushed the puck to (Austin) Bottrell. He pretty much did the rest though as he gave me a perfect pass and I just slapped it in. When I realized I scored I was excited and relieved at the same time because that was our first overtime win out of 4 games I believe. I was just happy to get the win and be able to rest after.”
Hallbauer is currently fifth on the Brahmas’ roster in scoring and tops among defensemen. He has nine points on 2G-7A through 18 games played. “I believe I’ve played pretty well so far this year. As long as the team continues to get better each day I think that will make me better and as we continue learning and developing, we will win games.”
With the way the team has been coming together of late and the continued dominance of the defensive corps, the wins will continue to come and the Brahmas will continue to move up through the standings.
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