Within the next few seasons, the Philadelphia Flyers hope to become a more consistent team. They used the help of prayers from up above to speed up the process by gathering the 2nd overall pick in this year’s upcoming NHL Draft. Flyers General Manager Ron Hextall hopes to aid some of the scoring issues in the near future with the likes of Oskar Lindblom, Connor Bunnaman, Taylor Leier, and Nolan Patrick/Nico Hischier. Just who remains down on the farm that could help the organization find more consistency with scoring? Meet a hidden gem, Center/RW Cooper Marody. I was fortunate enough to have a phone interview with him recently, and he seems determined to become the next Tom Brady of hockey.
Marody was born on December 20, 1996, in Brighton, MI. The Flyers drafted him in the 6th round of the 2015 NHL Draft. Like most kids in Michigan, Marody started playing hockey at a young age. His passion for the game found himself playing for the University of Michigan for the 2015-16 season. He registered 10 goals, and 14 assists for a total of 24 points in 32 games played. After a decent season with Michigan, just who is this young prospect?
“I’m a junior at the University of Michigan now. Being an upper classmen I need to put on more size. I will focus more on that in the off-season. But, my skating is there and my puck handling is pretty solid (Laughing). I need to build more muscle as I need to get stronger.”
The 20 year old young prospect became academically ineligible for the first half of the 2016-17 season. Marody knew the importance of not only the game of hockey, but the realization that there is life after the sport of hockey. He worked very hard in school and was able to improve his grades tremendously. Somehow he found a way to play in the final 18 games of the season for the Wolverines. For the season he registered 5 goals, and 10 assists for a total of 15 points in 18 games played. He showed determination and grit to improve his grades, as he has faced this type of adversity before.
“I’ve always been the underdog. I was cut my freshman year of hockey from the Varsity team. I went onto the JV team in high school, and did well. The next 3 years I played on the Varsity team. From the Varsity team to the Flyers. It’s awesome and I’ve always been the underdog, especially being a 6th round draft pick.”
Marody continued, “I’m gonna do the best I can to prove the doubters wrong. It gives me added motivation. I just want to be the best upper classmen I can be by being a leader. Hopefully one day I get called up by the Flyers and proceed forward.”
The Wolverine product, Marody just wants to show people he belongs in the NHL. If one has seen him play these past few seasons at the University of Michigan, then they would have noticed his silky hands. He has a lethal wrist shot, but he also has good vision of the ice. Marody is out to prove that he can do this when given the chance.
“I want to be the best underdog a player can be. My family has always been there for me. I want to prove to them I can do it too. Tom Brady was a 6th round draft pick, so with me being a 6th round draft pick I envy him. I model my game after Brady and Pavel Datsyuk. I want to be the best player I can be. A solid two way player, that can be relied upon defensively.”
Hopefully Marody continues to mold into a hidden gem. He has the scoring touch with averaging almost a point per game as a Wolverine. Marody states, “The Flyers are so rich in history. I’m so humbled to be a part of this organization.” This unselfish attitude cannot be taught, and he can pay huge dividends for the Flyers in the near future.
Follow me on Twitter @JameyBaskow for all Flyers updates.
Mandatory Photo Credit: Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via AP Images
