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Sean Malone presents the ceremonial puck to legendary coach Scotty Bowman as Seth Jones looks prior to the start of the CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game in Buffalo, N.Y. be in my hometown in Buffalo," he said. "I have been waiting for this for a month and a half since [NTDP coach Don Granato] told me." "I was just really excited for [the game] to After Malone's name was called, the announced crowd of 5,519 erupted as he skated towards the blue line to join his fel- low members of Team Housley. "I was sort of expecting it a little bit. I had no clue, but it sort of hit me when I first got out there and everyone was cheer- ing for me," Malone said. Minutes later Malone was having another surreal moment when he was shaking the hand of NHL coaching legend Scotty Bowman following the ceremonial first puck drop. "It was great to take the cer- emonial puck drop from him," Malone said. "I saw him in an airport once and I was too afraid to say hi to him." Malone, who also partici- pated in a postgame autograph session for fans, laughed about how he and Seth Jones awkwardly stood on the ice looking at each other, unaware of who was supposed to pick up the puck. He also admitted how badly he wanted to reward the local fans for their "IT WAS FANTASTIC. EVERY TIME I DID SOMETHING IMPORTANT OR HAD A CHANCE [TO SCORE], EVERYONE WAS CHEERING. I FELT GREAT OUT THERE." — RYAN MALONE support by scoring a goal. an assist in the All-American Prospects Game. Matt Lane, from Rochester, was able to add his name to the score sheet on Dakota Mermis's third period goal. "I had quite a bit of chances and it sort of hurt me not to bury them," Malone said. "I was hoping to get at least one for everyone but unfortunately it didn't pan out. It happens." However, another local product came through with Malone hopes to eventually join Lane, currently listed as a "C" prospect, on the NHL's Central Scouting Service rank- ings by the end of the season. For now he admits that such a ranking can make this year a little bit more stressful. "There is certainly a lot of nerves, espe- cially when the draft is so heavily empha- sized within hockey now," he said. "They came out with the scouting lists for USHL players and all other players and unfortu- nately I wasn't on it, but it's something for me to prove myself this year. "It's just going to help me work harder and have some drive towards making the next list or whatever comes out next." N USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM DIGITAL EDITION BONUS NOVEMBER.2012 17