Radnor’s Clayton Proctor is Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week

Proctor, a senior, is the point leader of the Radnor boys’ ice hockey team (21 goals and 12 assists in 16 games as of Tuesday) and among the top scorers in the Central League, even though he has spent most of the time playing as a defenseman rather than his natural forward position to help the team’s needs. He is considered the leader of the team because of his work ethic and unselfish play. Next fall, he will attend the University of Massachusetts, where he will play lacrosse.

Q: What do you think are the most important attributes of a good forward, and the most important attributes of a good defenseman? What do you find to be the biggest adjustment you’ve had to make in moving from forward to defenseman?

A: To be a good forward you need to be aggressive and relentless on the forecheck to create scoring opportunities, and also have a quick snapshot. Defense is all about being the smartest and most efficient man on the ice. The biggest adjustment for me has been staying focused on the whole defensive zone and not letting a guy sneak around behind me.

Q: What (to you) has been the most memorable goal you’ve scored this season – can you describe how the play unfolded, and your role in it?

A: Probably my slap shot from the point against Strath Haven. I dragged the puck from the wall and hit the sweet spot on my blade and it wound up in the net to put us up by two goals. That game meant a lot at that point in the season; it was a must-win game.

Q: How do you view your role as the leader of the team, and can you give an example of how you feel you can best display leadership?

A: I enjoy being a leader on this team. To me that means being connected with every player in the locker room, whether it be a freshman or another senior. I also love to give pregame speeches to get everyone amped up.

Q: Are there any hockey players who you really admire, and why?

A: I admire a couple of hockey players. One is Dustin Byfuglien because he can throw an insane hip check. And secondly, Jaromir Jagr because of his creativity, but more importantly the goal salute he always did when he played for the Flyers was something I always looked forward to.

Q: What first sparked your interest in ice hockey?

A: To be honest I first remember crying my eyes out when learning to skate. Thankfully my Dad grew up in Canada, so he wasn’t going to settle for that. Although once I got into it I loved the speed of the game.

Q: What has been your most memorable moment as an ice hockey player outside of Radnor – can you share it with us?

A: My most memorable moment playing was when I made the Flyers Quebec team in 2012. Representing the Flyers in Quebec City for one of the biggest youth tournaments in the world was something special. I remember having the biggest adrenaline rush when we took the ice in warmups during our first game. I was 12 years old, and playing at the Colisée Pepsi arena in front of a couple thousand people was an amazing experience.

Q: What is your favorite ice hockey venue and why?

A: I like to play at the Haverford Skatium. It’s close to my house and the ice is always good.

Q: Who have been your biggest ice hockey mentors, and what was the important thing each of them taught you?

A: My biggest hockey mentor was my coach when I played for the Junior Flyers my freshman year, Jerry Marks. Standing at 5’4” made him an intimidating guy when I first met him.  He knows a lot about the game and was intense, but at the same time was a funny guy that made playing for him enjoyable.

Q: What do you think you’d like to major in at the University of Massachusetts? Is there a particular career field that interests you at the present time?

A: I am looking forward to the Isenberg School of management and specifically Hotel management while at UMass.

Fun facts – Clayton Proctor

Favorite book: Hatchet.

Favorite TV show: It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

Favorite movie: Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.

Favorite athlete: Lebron James.

Favorite pre-game pump-up song: DMX – X Gon’ Give It To Ya.

Favorite team: Flyers.

Favorite place to visit: Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Favorite pre-game meal: Chicken parm.

Person I most admire: “My Dad because he has taught me everything I know.”

Favorite color: Blue.

Birth date: May 15, 1999 in Abington.

Siblings: brother Winston, older sister Hannah, younger twin sisters Phoebe and Sophie.

(To be selected as Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by his coach.)