Although the Nashville Predators are known for producing excellent defensemen, depth in the system has not been as deep as most would think over the past few seasons. Most of this can be attributed to the trading off of draft picks when the team was attempting to make a deep playoff run. Earlier this year, the Predators inked one of their defensive prospects in Garrett Noonan. After finishing his college career at Boston University, Noonan signed a two-year entry level contract on April 22, 2014. He’ll most likely begin next season with the Milwaukee Admirals and add defensive depth to the system. Coming into development camp, Noonan was one of the veterans and expected a lot out of himself.
“It was good to show the organization that I can be a leader,” said Noonan. “It was my fourth time here, so I knew what I was getting into coming here. It’s also good to meet the younger guys and try to lead by example.”
Noonan, a 4th Round pick (112 overall) in 2011 by the Nashville Predators, had a solid college career. In 144 games for Boston University, which plays in the ultra-competitive Hockey East, Noonan recorded 81 points (30G-51A) for the Terriers. Solid numbers for a defenseman in that league.
Coming into his first pro season will be a change as he adapts his game to a much faster pace with bigger bodies. Noonan is poised to do so.
“This is where I want to be,” said Noonan. “That was my goal coming into this [development] camp.”
The 6’1″, 205-pound defensemen is ready to show that he can be a leader, even at the pro level. He’s been training hard and he’ll need it as there is now plenty of depth at the blue line in Milwaukee with the additions of Jonathan-Ismael Diaby and Jaynen Rissling (via trade). Noonan has plenty of competition in Milwaukee let alone even having a chance at making the Nashville roster anytime soon, but adding that depth is important to the system.
Noonan understands that as long as he’s doing everything in his power, he can make a positive impression on the organization.
“I think for now, I just need to show them that I’ve been working,” said Noonan. “I just need to show that all of the training I’ve been doing is turning into good work. It’s been good so far.”
It’ll be interesting to see where Noonan fits in with the Admirals. There will be tough competition just to make the roster. Most are only concerned with roster-spot competition in Nashville, but there will definitely be a competition in Milwaukee as well. Remember, the Milwaukee Admirals will be holding part of their training in Nashville at the new Ford Ice Center, so stay tuned for details on that event.
