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Oshawa Generals’ Michael Dal Colle plans to learn from veterans: Making The Jump

Michael Dal Colle is proven finisher whose all-around game just needs some polish.

The Oshawa Generals believed they got great value out the No. 7 overall pick in the Ontario Hockey League priority selection draft when they selected Dal Colle, a 6-foot-2, 175-pound centre with supple hands who played with the Vaughan Kings during his final year of minor hockey. Dal Colle hoping he can step right into a prominent role, which starts with trying to adopt the habits of older teammates such as Generals captain Boone Jenner, a Columbus Blue Jackets prospect, and Philadelphia Flyers first-rounder Scott Laughton. Both have become high NHL picks by virtue of playing an all-around game.

"One thing I definitely plan to do is look at the older guys on the team like Jenner and Laughton," Dal Colle says. "Try to pick up on his [Laughton's] habits in practice. Guys like him and Jenner are good offensively, but take pride in their defence and playing physically. That's what I want to do."

The draft process in the OHL tends to favour physically and emotionally advanced defencemen and flashy forwards with speed to burn. It often takes time with the latter group to determine how much offensive vision they possess. Dal Colle is coming into the OHL with good notices for his playmaking, but as a taller centre, will have to show his skating has that extra giddy-up required in the NHL. Like a lot of Southern Ontario players, most notably current Carolina Hurricanes centre Jeff Skinner, he's reportedly worked on his skating with famed coach Barb Underhill.

Along with having high NHL picks as teammates, Dal Colle adds he cannot help but be inspired by the Generals' history.

"You look at the names on the wall like Bobby Orr, Michael Del Zotto, Eric Lindros, John Tavares, Marc Savard, you just see all the history, It makes you realize that your goal of making the NHL isn't that far away if you keep working for it."

1. How do you describe your game to people who have yet to see you play?

"I like to call myself as a two-way player. I definitely have strong offensive instincts. I'm good around the net but then also I take pride in my own end. I tried to be the best two-way player I could be in minor midget."

2. At your age, there probably isn't any skill you can neglect, but what is one specific area of the game you aim to improve in as a rookie?

"My defensive side of the game, definitely. Obviously, playing against bigger and stronger guys, you're going to have to learn how to contain them in your own end. I'm an offensive player, but if you want to make it to the next level, your defensive game has to be at par. I want to pick up a lot from the leaders on the team like Jenner and Laughton."

3. Which NHL player do you look at not to necessarily model your game on, but to get an idea of what it takes for a player with your skills to stick at the next level?

"For me, it's definitely Evgeni Malkin. His offensive instincts are unreal but he's also chippy, he's physical, he's not afraid to back down. He's good in his own end of the ice, too. He dominates games with his size and his skill, which is something I want to do, as a big guy with some skill. Be good down low and create scoring chances like he does."

4. Outside of family, who has had the greatest impact on you in hockey?

"Probably Dave D'Amizzio, my coach from my minor midget year, who was also my coach for the last four years. I've worked with him since I was very young, too, working on my skills and my hands."

5. Favourite movie or TV show?

"Favourite movie? There's two I'm stuck between — Dodgeball and Zoolander. I'm a big Ben Stiller fan."

Neate Sager is a writer for Yahoo! Canada Sports. Contact him at neatesager@yahoo.ca and follow him on Twitter @neatebuzzthenet .