The RIT grad participated in the Buffalo Sabres Development Camp and Prospects Challenge.
By Ryan Harr
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Rochester Americans forward Myles Powell has called the Western New York home since 2014 despite not being a full-time resident of New York. The rookie skater, who completed a four-year collegiate career at nearby Rochester Institute of Technology (R.I.T), is trying to earn a spot on the Amerks roster.
Powell, 24, signed an American Hockey League contract with the Amerks this summer after appearing in four games with Rochester last season while on a Professional Tryout. Additionally, Powell recorded three points (1+2) in five contests for the Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL) before adding two assists during the Cyclones’ first-round playoff series.
“Myles is visibly more comfortable around the guys in the locker room this year,” said Amerks assistant coach Toby Petersen. “Last season, when he joined us towards the end of the year and we had limited practices and games right away, it was tough to really get a look at what he could bring to our team.”
The 5-foot-9, 174 pound-forward had a full summer of training and participated in both of the Buffalo Sabres’ Development Camp as well as Prospects Challenge, and is looking to continue making an impression in his first professional training camp.
“After spending time in Buffalo during the summer, it helped boost my confidence,” said Powell. “I was able to prove to myself that I could succeed and I hope to continue that over the next few days.”
During last night’s 4-2 victory over the defending Calder Cup Champions Toronto Marlies to open the preseason, Powell centered a line between Dalton Smith and Eric Cornel while also being on one of the two penalty kill units.
“He had a great prospects camp and development camp and came into Amerks training camp in really great shape,” said Amerks head coach Chris Taylor. “Myles is a player who can add grit to our team and is a fast skater. Another thing that makes us excited is while he’s not that big, he knows how to hit and knock guys off the puck.”
Petersen, who enjoyed a 15-year playing career and is a two-time Calder Cup champion as both a player and a coach, was not one of the biggest sized players during his playing days. Powell and Petersen are both similar in stature, but Petersen sees a lot of similarity between he and the first-year skater from Courtenay, British Columbia.
“Being in Myles’ shoes during my career is something I can help him with,” said Petersen, who is in his second season with Rochester. “I was able to learn early in my career how to control my hips, which players try to attack, while some you just contain and play defensive against. Those are some of the things I can help teach him, but he does already have good hockey sense.”
Powell has been trying to lean on some of the veterans to pick up their habits and use them for advice and insights how to be a full-time professional hockey player.
“Since the day I arrived here, I’ve been watching the older guys,” Powell admitted. “Nathan Paetsch is such a great guy to learn from as he has been in the league for such a long time. I knew him prior to joining the Amerks as he skated at R.I.T during my time there but it’s also great to have the older veterans to watch and grow as a player.”
Preseason Continues On
Rochester will conclude its preseason with a matchup against the Syracuse Crunch at 5:05 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 30 at the Gene Polisseni Center on the campus of RIT. The 4,300-seat Gene Polisseni Center is home to the RIT Men’s and Women’s NCAA Division I hockey teams.
All tickets for the game at RIT will be General Admission and will be available for purchase for just $5 at the Polisseni Center Box Office, or online at WWW.AMERKS.COM and WWW.RITTICKETS.COM. RIT students can purchase tickets for $3 while all Amerks and RIT Season Ticket Members will receive complimentary tickets to the game. Please contact the Amerks Main Office at 585-454-5335 to request your tickets.