Athletic Hockey “Mentee” Ben Gleason joins the elite ranks of the world’s top draft-eligible prospects with his invitation to the NHL Scouting Combine May 30. Gleason and 114 other top hockey talents will complete physical and medical assessments all week with all 30 NHL clubs watching as the NHL Draft quickly approaches.
Gleason, a 3-year alumni of the Athletic Mentors Hockey program, says he’s ready.
“This is the most intense, high-paced training I have ever done. Because of this top-of-the-line training, I feel more prepared and am in the best shape of my life. I am excited and feel confident for the Combine,” said Gleason, who’s been clocking a solid 2-3 hours each day with Coach Mark Olson in preparation for the tough training schedule of his draft debut.
Gleason, a ’98 from Ortonville, MI, just completed his second season in the OHL with the Hamilton Bulldogs. He was a 2nd round draft pick for the OHL’s London Knights in 2014 and was later traded to the Bulldogs. Gleason spent 6 years in his earlier hockey career with the Honey Baked organization.
Gleason credits the Athletic Mentors hockey program for his “amazing” preparation. While living in his Athletic Mentors billet house on Gull Lake, he has 3 professionally prepared meals a day and everything is taken care of so he can focus 100% on his training and recovery with Coach Olson.
“This type of environment has offered me the opportunity to take my training to the next level. I can focus on what needs to be done to get there,” he said.
During Combine week, NHL Teams will have the chance to have one-on-one interviews with prospects. Gleason’s agent, Eddie Ward of Newport Sports Management, has been instrumental in helping him prepare for this aspect.
“The Combine week is always an interesting event for Central Scouting that seems to go by very quickly,” NHL Director of Central Scouting Dan Marr said. The goal is to present an event that allows NHL personnel to interact with the future stars of our game and assist the NHL clubs in their pursuit of gaining as much knowledge about the draft prospects as possible.
After the Combine is over, Gleason plans to return to train with Coach Olson and Athletic Mentors for the rest of the summer.
“I want to keep training and becoming stronger so when the next opportunity arises to further my hockey career, I’ll be ready to go,” Gleason said. “This program is top-of-the-line.”