Gilles knows goals dont make the man

In case youve forgotten, Colton Gillies was the 16th overall selection by the Minnesota Wild in the 2007 NHL draft. Gillies was projected to be a rugged power forward just like his third cousin Clark Gillies, who starred on the powerful New York Islanders teams of the 1970s and 80s. Colton Gillies made his Wild debut after making the 2008-09 team out of training camp. He played in 45 games, recording two goals and five assists. Gillies potential was evident that season, but at 19 years old he was not ready physically to battle at the NHL level. The Wild recognized this and sent him back to Houston to play for the AHLs Aeros. Gillies played the next two seasons in Houston, and he started to put up decent offensive numbers as he got bigger and stronger. In fact, near the end of last season, he drew high praise from then-Aeros coach Mike Yeo, who since has been promoted to the top job with the Wild. "Colton is starting to understand his role in this organization, Gillies said. He plays a very responsible game and works incredibly hard every day." That statement is good news for the 22-year-old Gillies, who at 6-foot-4, 207 pounds could prove to be a key cog in the Wilds lineup this season. The team had added a pair of snipers from San Jose in Dany Heatley and Devin Setoguchi, but Yeos preference has always been for plenty of grit. With the start of training camp two weeks away, I caught up with Gillies for this edition of 5 Questions. 1. KG: What excites you most about training camp this year with the Wild? GILLIES: For the first time, I already have a working relationship with the head coach, so that is really big as far as comfort goes. I think in years past, because I am one of those guys that wants to make an impression, I've tried too hard and gotten away from my game. This is a big opportunity for me, so I am excited to show up, relax and play hard but smart hockey. 2. KG: What did you work on over the summer after that long, successful run with the Aeros last spring? GILLIES: I really worked on all aspects of my game, starting with my skating. Being a bigger guy, I want to make sure I keep my quickness, and it's been a good summer in that regard. I also did a ton of work with my stickhandling and shooting and feel like I am better than ever in that area. It was a shorter summer than normal because of our playoff run in Houston, but as of right now I am ready. 3. KG: What type of coach is Mike Yeo, and what can Wild fans expect from him this season? GILLIES: Mike Yeo really knows the game, and he has a unique way of getting everyone in the room to buy into his system and his work ethic. I love his intensity. Wild fans will enjoy his passion for the game, too. The cool thing about Mike is the way he coaches, everyone matters. He pays close attention to those role players on the third and fourth lines, which is key. I think Mike Yeo is going to be an outstanding head coach in the NHL for a long time, and I think Wild fans are going to love him. 4. KG: Which player or players did you look up to growing up and maybe model your game after? GILLIES: I loved Jarome Iginla (Flames). He was so good with the puck, and he is still going strong today. Now, as I've gotten older, I really enjoy watching players like Andrew Ladd (Jets) and Ryan Kesler (Canucks) because they are so gifted at winning battles in the dirty areas of the rink, and that needs to be my game now. I'm still a young guy, but when I first came up with the Wild a couple of years ago I was convinced I had to score goals to be a successful player. Now I realize there are plenty of other ways to contribute. Players like Ladd and Kesler score goals, but they both do many little things around the rink. They are nearly impossible to play against. That is where I need to take my game this season. 5. KG: What is the best thing you did away from hockey over the summer? GILLIES: I was up in British Columbia, which is a beautiful area in the summer, and I took family camping. It was so nice to get away and be in the wilderness. This was a memory that will last a lifetime. I have always enjoyed camping, but you are at the mercy of the weather, and we got lucky because it was perfect.