ESTERO, FL – The Canadian province of British Columbia is known for its famed natural beauty, breathtaking landscapes and the magnificent Rocky Mountains. Someday in the future it may also be known for two of its favorite sons, the brothers Zanon.
Florida Everblades defenseman Brad Zanon is from Port Moody, BC, just outside of Vancouver. His parents still live up there. Mom is retired and Dad still works and has his own business.
Brother Greg Zanon plays defense as #5 on the Nashville Predators of the NHL (National Hockey League). Brad has a personal action plan that he hopes will allow him to join his brother some day soon at the NHL level.
Zanon played a lot of hockey during his junior years up in Canada. The 25-year-old played with the Tri-City Americans of the WHL (World Hockey League – Junior League, British Columbia) from 1999-2002, and with the Kootenay Ice from 2002-04.
While living up in British Columbia Zanon enjoyed both summer and winter outdoor sports.
“Before I came to Florida, we all played a lot of hockey in the winter. But in the summer, we had a home on the lake and enjoyed all types of water sports.”
Zanon decided to stay in Canada during his college years to stay close to his family. He played for the University of British Columbia of the CIS (Canadian Interuniversity Sport) Hockey.
Now that he is in Florida, his free time is spent somewhat differently.
“Now that I am here in Florida I play a little golf, not too well, but I love it. I usually only play 9 holes or I get too frustrated. I like to be outside and like to try different golf courses, and of course enjoy the beaches here”.
It is surprising to learn that a player with the skills Zanon has demonstrated was not selected during the NHL Entry Draft.
Zanon started his professional career during the 2007-08 season playing 14 games with the Victoria Salmon Kings of the ECHL. He started the 2008-09 season, playing one game, with the Albany River Rats of the AHL (American Hockey League), something he called an “eye opening”
Brad Zanon
“I want to play well so that I can move up the levels to the NHL. Playing in Albany early this year showed me the different, more intense, type of play at the AHL level.
Zanon feels that his strengths for the Everblades are his defensive skills such as blocking shots and penalty killing ability. He tries to use his strengths to make that “first pass” to move the puck out of the zone.
“I just want to focus on keeping the puck out of our net”.
Zanon tries to keep his game simple, always trying to improve with each and every game.
He feels that the Blades are a very skilled team with a tremendous amount of speed. The team as a whole must work harder on playing for a full 60 minutes. They have been inconsistent and must prevent giving teams a chance to come back and win.
Zanon feels that there is so much skill on the Blades so it is very difficult to select a few players to watch. He did mention the great goaltending, especially by David Leggio, who was named “RBC Financial Player of the Month for January”.
“The team is so explosive and talented; it’s an exciting team to watch”.
He likes working with Coach Malcolm Cameron, who just joined the Blades at the beginning of this season. Cameron was the former coach of the Texas Wildcatters.
“If you work hard and put out the effort each game, you’ll be OK with him”.
Brad Zanon’s older brother, 28 year-old Greg Zanon, is a defenseman who has played with the Nashville Predators of the NHL since 2005. He was drafted in 2000 by the Ottawa Senators (#156, 5th round) in the NHL Entry Draft.
Greg played college hockey from 1999-03 with the University of Nebraska-Omaha. He spent three years with the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL prior to joining the Predators.
The name Zanon could become a household hockey name like Sutter or Stahl in the future depending on how well the brothers Zanon perform on the ice.
Zanon says the Blades need to get their game ready for the playoffs.
“We have to play better. We all have some work to do. That’s when the real season starts. The key will be maintaining our consistency in the playoffs”.
The recent peanut / peanut butter scandal in the news has put somewhat of a damper on Zanon’s mood.
“I love peanut butter. I put it on everything. Sometimes I just get a spoonful to eat. The scandal has really been a bummer”.
Looks like the Blades will need to find Zanon a stash of peanut butter to help him keep up his skillful level of play for Florida.
Contact the author at: sharon.weatherhead@prohockeynews.com
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