Getting To Know: Adam Gilmour

Gilmour averaged two points per game
for Noble & Greenough prep this year

"Getting To Know..." is a series designed to get acquainted with the newest members of the Muskegon hockey family. Today's subject is first-round Entry Draft selection Adam Gilmour.


It seems that Adam Gilmour's entire life has prepared him to play and excel in the USHL.


From starting to play hockey at age 3 to a recent growth spurt that added several inches to his 18-year-old frame to his stay at the prestigious Noble & Greenough prep school, Gilmour is geared to make an immediate impact this fall.


The Lumberjacks drafted the Boston College recruit at No. 2 overall in the USHL Entry Draft May 22, but Gilmour's first trip to Muskegon came two weeks earlier, when he visited the Lakeshore to get a glimpse of his potential future hockey home.


"I really like the area," Gilmour said over the phone this week. "I love being near the water and I live near the ocean [in Hanover, Mass.] so Muskegon feels like home."


Of course, much of Gilmour's visit in early May was spent at L.C. Walker Arena, where he toured the recently-renovated facilities and even took part in a workout with Assistant Coach and conditioning guru Dave Noel-Bernier.


"I was really impressed by the building and everything," said Gilmour. "I didn't quite know what to expect coming in but it looks like a fun place to play. It was fun to train with Mr. Noel-Bernier, too. He knows what he's doing and his program gets results. I'm excited to get started on his routine."


It isn't just the hockey side that comforts Gilmour, as he has been at ease with Lumberjacks personnel since Assistant Coach Steve Palmer first touched base with him and his family late last year. While visiting Muskegon, Gilmour also spent time with Head Coach Jim McKenzie, Owner/GM Josh Mervis, Skating Coach Dr. Kurt Froese and Housing/Academic Coordinator Joe Abdelkader. 


"I'm really comfortable with being drafted by the Lumberjacks," Gilmour said. "I was praying on draft night that I would make it past the first pick." 


Of course, Sioux Falls used the No. 1 overall selection to take Victory Honda's Tony Calderone, allowing the Jacks to use their first choice on Gilmour, who was clearly the top player available in their minds.


The explosive right winger cashed in 56 points in 28 games as a senior at Noble & Greenough, in addition to the 16 points he added in eight contests for the Cape Cod Whalers midget major club, where he was a teammate of fellow Jacks Entry Draft pick Corey Ronan. 


Interestingly, Gilmour averaged exactly two points per game in 2011-12 after scoring precisely one per outing (27 in 27) as a junior, a boost facilitated by growing accustomed to his newfound size and strength.


"Two years ago I went through a major growth spurt so it was tough getting used to," said the 6-foot-2, 195-pounder. "This year I really came into my own. I got quicker feet and became stronger on the puck. The extra reach really helps out there, also."


Gilmour is skilled at both playmaking and scoring, making him quite the challenging mark for opposing skaters. He's also not afraid to challenge himself, as his time at the academically rigorous Nobles prep can attest.

Gilmour hopes to help Boston College add to its total
of five national titles in 2013-14 and beyond.

"It's one of the best prep schools in the country when it comes to tough classes and schoolwork," Gilmour said. "It's also a boarding school, and it helps for maturity to move away from home. Having this experience should make it easier to adapt to living with my billets in Muskegon."


Attending Nobles made the decision to commit to Boston College this spring all the easier, since the school and his coach have connections with Jerry York's decorated program. It didn't hurt that both of Gilmour's linemates from the past season locked down to be future Eagles as well.


Along with boasting the defending NCAA Division I national men's hockey champions, Boston College also has a sterling academic reputation, something that has great appeal for Gilmour.


"Education is very important for me and my family," he said. "I lived in New York near Union [College] for awhile and saw those guys excel at the NCAA level. I'm hoping my time in the USHL will help be stay disciplined and make an impact as a freshman."


Clearly, Gilmour has crafted lofty dreams and has a plan to pursue them. So why does hockey inspire him to reach for excellence?


"Hockey is just different from every other sport," he said. "There's just nothing like it when you step on the ice. It's about coming together with your friends and trying to achieve a goal. That's where the best relationships come from."


Gilmour can count on making plenty of new relationships in Muskegon, starting with the team's Tryout Camp June 11-16 at L.C. Walker Arena. If he can help the Lumberjacks return to the USHL Clark Cup Playoffs, he and his teammates will write a spot for themselves in local hockey history.

For a goal-oriented guy like Gilmour, it's just the kind of challenge he figures to embrace.